A Sticky Situation (Awkward Love 7)

I look around, trying to work out if I’m in his apartment or not. I definitely don’t believe it’s his ‘tour coordinator’s.’ I snort, because is that even a real thing?

“Where the hell are you, Brix?” I mutter to myself.

My ears prick up when I hear something. It’s coming from the other room. I walk over to the door, listening hard, trying to make out what the rustling sound could be. Just walk in there. Catch him in the act and then demand an explanation my inner badass is saying. I breath in sharply, then push open the door, ready to confront him.

I frown and watch him as he sits on the bed, hunched over as he rummages through a drawer in the night stand. He curses as he slams the drawer shut, the frustrated expression on his face turning angry. Then he opens the next one and starts going through that.

Whatever he’s looking for, he sure as hell hasn’t found it.

“Brix?”

His head jerks up at the sound of my voice, then he gets to his feet and turns around, facing me. He smiles, but it’s forced. I walk further into the room, but keep my distance, not taking my eyes off him.

“Hannah,” he says, looking anxious. “What are you doing here?”

“Really?” I laugh. “I should be the one asking you that.”

“What?” he looks confused. “I told you. I have a meeting—”

“With your manager?” I taunt. “Stop the bullshit, okay? I thought maybe there was an explanation for this, but there’s obviously not. Just tell me the truth, okay?”

“What are you talking about?” he growls, stepping closer to me. “You’re not making any sense—”

“How’s this for sense, then?” I hiss, my heart pounding so hard I feel like it’s going to explode. “If you don’t tell me what the fuck is going on, I’ll call Luke back right now—”

“Call Luke back?” he repeats, cutting me off. “What do you mean?”

“Luke just called me because your manager is at the clinic, looking for you.”

“Shit,” he mutters, raking his hands through his hair. “Fuck.”

“You think?” I say with a harsh laugh. “Have you told me the truth about anything?”

He doesn’t answer. “Yeah, just as I thought.”

My hands shaking, I reach into my pocket for my phone, then I scroll through my contacts, looking for Luke’s number. I’m on the verge of tears, but I refuse to cry in front of him. He’s made a big enough fool of me already. I can’t believe I thought he liked me. But he was just using me to cover up whatever shady shit he’s mixed up in.

“Fine. If you won’t tell me what’s going on, you can tell Luke.”

“Wait, Hannah. Let's talk about this,” he says, taking a step toward me.

“There’s nothing to talk about, because losing my job is not an option,” I say stubbornly.

“Come on, Hannah—”

“Don’t come on me,” I yell. His lips waiver as he struggles not to laugh. In the end, he just lets it out. “I’m sorry, but that was pretty funny.”

“Yeah, hilarious,” I mutter. “Almost as funny as me calling Luke and telling him—"

“Will you sit down?” He motions to the bed. “Give me five minutes, then if you want me to, I’ll call him myself.”

I study him for a moment, weighing up what I have to lose by hearing him out. My phone vibrates, so I reach into my pocket and turn it off without checking the caller.

I sit down on the bed as far away from him as I can.

“Well?” I prompt.

“Give me a second,” he mutters.

“So, you can think up another bullshit excuse?” I snarl. I get up, annoyed at myself for almost falling into his trap again. “What the fuck was I thinking? You’re not capable of telling me the truth, because you’re a compulsive liar.”

“If you let me get a word in, then I’ll tell you what’s going on,” he growls. “Just sit back down—"

“No,” I yell, clenching my hands into fists. I glare at him angrily. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t call Luke back right now—”

“Because I’m not Brix,” he growls.

I stare at him in shock. He frowns back at me, his eyes locked on mine. Is he kidding me? He’s not Brix? Does he really think I’m so gullible that I’d believe that?

He really thinks I’m that stupid.

“Right,” I snap, letting out a bitter laugh. “Let me guess, you’re his evil twin?”

“Yes.” He shakes his head. “Well, not the evil part. Brix and I are twins.”

“You’re twins?” I say flatly. “Why the hell should I believe you?”

“Because I’m telling you the truth.” He frowns.

I laugh, because this is all way too convenient to be true. “I’m not lying to you, Hannah.”

“Why not?” I challenge. “You lied about everything else.”

“No, I lied about who I was, nothing else.”

“The garage is yours?” I ask suddenly.