AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The sound of someone clearing their throat cuts loudly through the haze. We pull apart, stunned to see Paul standing a few feet away, one judgmental brow raised.
“What the fuck are you doing with my little sister, fucker?” he growls.
ChapterSeventeen
Henrik
Paul is lookingat me with fire in his eyes, his jaw tight. I just broke bro code rule number four—or is it five—whichever’s the one saying don’t make out with your best friend’s little sister. Technically it was just a kiss and she’s not the littlest of the McFolleys, but if I say that, he might try to break my jaw. What am I supposed to do?
“I’m going to fucking kill you,” Paul growls out between his grinding teeth.
Lou sets herself between Paul and me like a human shield. “Calm down. It was just a kiss.” Okay, so she went and said it, not me. Still not making this better.
Paul jabs an accusing finger in my direction. “You know the crap that asshole ex of hers put her through, and now you . . .” His voice trails as anger wars with protectiveness.
“Don’t you fucking compare me with him,” I fire back, stung.
“This”—he flings a finger back and forth between Lou and me—“is not supposed to happen. She’s my sister. I warned you then, and I’m warning you again.”
Old frustration simmers up. “Maybe if I hadn’t listened to you and your father back then, she wouldn’t be fighting for her kids now, and . . .” I stop, taking a breath. My raised voice is probably booming throughout the cold air and probably reaching everyone in Kentbury.
Lou’s brows draw together. “Listened to what? What did my father say?”
I mumble, “That I wasn’t good enough for you.” Clearing my throat, I continue, voice low. “He didn’t approve of me.”
She frowns, hurt shining in her eyes.
“Well, I’ll repeat it now,” Paul bites out angrily. “Stay the hell away from her. She’s not some plaything for you.”
“You think I’m playing with her?” I lash back at him. “Then you really don’t know me, Paul. Lou has always been important to me. So fucking important that I left when asked because I thought you two were right.”
He scoffs. “You were always on the road. What kind of life could you have given her back then?”
I meet his glare steadily. “The best one. I would’ve treated her like a queen, like the most precious thing in my life.” I turn to Lou who is staring at me with confusion in her wide eyes. “Walking away from you was my biggest regret. I hated myself for not fighting for you. I only accepted it because I thought you were happy. But knowing what that asshole did to you . . .” I rake a hand roughly through my hair. “I’m so pissed at myself for letting that happen.”
“That’s a lot to digest,” Lou mumbles, scowling between me and her brother. “Is it true? Did you meddle in who I dated too?”
Paul flinches. “In my defense, I was nineteen and following our father’s instructions.”
Lou presses her lips together, then turns and starts walking away without another word.
“Lou, wait,” I call out, taking a step after her.
“I need some time alone to process all this,” she says, but she never stops or even glances my way.
I watch helplessly as she disappears inside the house.
Paul sighs heavily beside me. “Yeah, she’s pissed at us both.”
I tug at my hair in frustration, tension coiling through me. “This isn’t some joke, Paul. I’m not saying I’ll propose tomorrow. But I plan on being there for her. And if she happens to fall for me someday . . . I’d be the luckiest bastard alive.”
“Lou is just coming out of a bad relationship,” Paul says with a warning.
“You don’t think I know that?” I fire back. “I’m not pressuring her—just being here, following her cues. I fucking care about her, Paul.” I meet his gaze unflinchingly. “No, I love her. I’ve loved her a long time, and right now? I’m falling in love with her all over again. So play big brother all you want, but I’ll only back off if she asks me to.”
I make my way toward my car, not waiting for a response and needing to cool my head. I’ll text Lou in a bit to check on her, but, first, the ice rink calls. Skating always helps me think.
ChapterEighteen
