Darn Stupid Brother You Are

(Angel's POV)

Dr. Casey was the only staff member who seemed even remotely human, and he had announced the event just a day before. "It's a social engagement exercise," he explained and flashed that awkward smile of his. "Think of it as a way to reconnect and unwind." In simpler terms, it was just a chance for them to watch us pretend we were normal.

The pool area buzzed with energy as patients walked in. It felt strange seeing everyone in this light, in their swimwear instead of their usual uniforms. There was a sense of freedom, however artificial, that hung in the air. The water sparkled under the afternoon sun, and beach balls bounced lazily from hand to hand.

I adjusted the straps of my black bikini and was thankful it wasn't too revealing. Hande, Cylan, and Dilrah, were busy at the snack bar as they giggled about something. I glanced at Hendrix, who stood by the edge of the pool with his hair damp and his body lean and muscular in his navy blue boxers. Girls surrounded him, their flirtatious laughter cutting through the air.

I frowned and watched Ava slide up next to him, her hands finding every excuse to touch his arm and his shoulder. My heart twisted in my chest as frustration boiled under my skin. Was he really acting so unbothered? Had he forgotten what we talked about? About being wary of Ava? How she could be dangerous, especially with what we had discovered in the West Wing? I wanted to storm over there and drag him away, but I stayed where I was and clenched my fists by my sides. (Thomas's POV)

The sun blazed overhead, and the pool area was more crowded than ever. It was one of those rare moments when the center allowed all of us to gather without the strict rules for just a bit. Dr. Casey was the only staff member who seemed human, and he had organized this. He said it was a "social engagement" exercise, or whatever.

I scanned the place and watched the girls walk around in their moderate bikinis as they chatted, laughed, and pretended they were anywhere but here. The guys, just like me, wore boxers. There was something unnerving about the whole setup. Maybe it was the way the staff kept a closer eye on us or how Ava kept sauntering around and tossing her hair back every five seconds, drawing everyone's eyes.

I tried not to stare at her and tried not to care, but my gaze drifted toward Angel before I could help it. She had just come out of the changing room, and for a moment, everything else faded. She wasn't like the other girls. She never tried too hard to be seen, and that's what drew me in. It wasn't just that she was beautiful-she was, but there was something more, something that made me wish I had met her anywhere else but here.

Then I saw Hendrix. He was surrounded by girls and acted like he was the king of the world. Ava draped herself over him and whispered something in his ear, and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why he didn't just shove her away. I looked back at Angel. She was watching him too, her brows knitted together like she couldn't quite understand what she was seeing.

"Hey, are you good?" I asked before I could stop myself.

Angel looked startled, and her eyes flicked up to meet mine. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

I shrugged and tried to play it cool. "You looked like you were about to murder someone."

·

(Angel's POV)

"Hey, are you good?" Thomas's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He stood next to me in his simple gray boxers, and his presence was reassuring. "You seem tense."

I forced a smile and tried to hide the confusion swirling inside me. "I'm fine. It's just... a lot of people, you know?"

His eyes softened. "Well, I'm here to keep you company. I promised I'd make up for last time, didn't I?"

I nodded and felt grateful for him. But that gratitude twisted into something else when I noticed Hendrix's eyes lock onto us. His eyes narrowed slightly before he turned his attention back to Ava, who leaned even closer to him. A pang of jealousy shot through me.

Thomas saw where I was looking. "Don't worry about him," he said and gave me a small, comforting smile. "You've got me today, okay?"

I nodded, and my heart thudded in my ears.

•

(Hendrix's POV)

I felt Ava's fingers trail over my arm, and her voice dripped with flirtation. "You know, you're looking pretty good today," she purred.

I forced a smile and pretended to be amused. "Thanks, Ava."

In truth, I was tired of her and tired of this act. But I knew what I was doing, or at least that's what I kept telling myself-keep your enemies close. And Ava? She was a snake in disguise, and I needed to keep her right where I could see her. The problem was that she thought we were still on good terms. That I still cared.

The reality was that all I cared about was the girl standing across the pool who didn't belong in this place. Angel. My Angel. And she was with him. Thomas.

My jaw tightened as I watched them laugh together, her hand resting casually on his shoulder, the way her eyes lit up at whatever nonsense he said. It was infuriating. I wanted to storm over there and tell him to back off and remind him who she was much closer to. But instead, I forced another fake smile and let Ava drape herself over me like a jacket.

"Why so quiet, Hendrix?" Ava whispered in my ear and moved closer until her lips brushed against my earlobe. "You're not usually this reserved."

I tore my eyes away from Angel and forced myself to look at Ava. "Just tired," I muttered. "It's been a long week."

Ava's gaze shifted to where Angel and Thomas stood, and for a moment, I saw something change in her eyes-something dark. "She's cute," Ava murmured and nodded toward Angel. "Too bad she's wasting her time with him." I didn't respond. I couldn't. Because if I spoke, I'd say something that would ruin this whole charade.