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“Look at what I'm facing around me! The last thing I need is more conflict. Draw a line. Move on. You're wasting energy interfering in my life.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve tried telling myself I'll keep out of this and only step in if I needed to, but it's hard! You're my baby sister.”
I grit my teeth against raising my voice. “Look at me, Bryn. I'm not a kid.”
He shakes his curls from his face. “I told you before, that’s the problem! You’re still my kid sister. I don't want you to get hurt.”
I sit next to Bryn and take his hand. “I'm lucky to have you as a big brother, but please back off. This situation is becoming too much now — me and you are going to fall out if you don’t stop.”
For a moment, he says nothing and stares at the floor. “Fine! But if he puts one foot out of line —”
“I'm damn sure he won't step out of line around you.”
Bryn’s focus remains on the carpet. “One thing...”
“What now?”
He stands again and tucks his hands beneath his arms, before fixing me with concerned eyes. “You are being careful, yeah?”
I cringe. “Bryn! Please, don't...”
“Yeah. Right.” The awkward hangs between us. Surely, he's not going to give me a talk on contraception. “Fine. Jax. I need to talk to him before I go.”
My heart rate picks up as Bryn heads in Jax’s direction.
When low voices rather than raised ones come from the next room, I hesitate. Iwillgo in there if I hear Bryn raise his voice. He reappears a few minutes later with an impassive look.
“Switch your phone back on, Tegan. Please.”
“Okay.”
“And don't go out on your own.”
I nod and kiss his cheek. “I'm fine. This reaction to me will blow over soon. Maybe you could find something scandalous to do? Take the heat off me.”
Bryn's eyes darken for a moment and he shakes his head. “You chose the front man, I'm just a drummer.”
“But you're Bryn Hughes,” I say with a smile. “My awesome rock star brother.”
With another indistinguishable grunt, he heads out of the room.
Will that be the end of this conflict? Somehow, I doubt it. Did Bryn swallow my lie about being fine and thinking the outside scrutiny will blow over?
Jax reappears with the menu. “Awesome, they do full English breakfast. I'm bloody starving after last night!”
I blink at how nonchalant he is. “What did Bryn say?”
He shrugs. “Same old. I have nothing to worry about because I'm going to take care of you.”
“I'm not a puppy. I don't need taking care of.”
Jax sets down the menu and strokes my hair from my face. “You're a fierce chick, Tegan, but you're like me underneath.”
“And what are you?”
“Out of my depth.”
27
