Chicks, Man

I frantically scope the bar in search of Levi. That’s when I spot a wide-eyed Stacey. She waves me over, and I scurry in her direction. “Hannah, what are you doing here? I don’t think this is a good idea.” Her face is red with worry. Her eyes wander down to my scraped palm. “What happened?”

“Nothing. It’s fine. Have you seen Levi?”

She stares at me, confused. “No, not yet, but you really shouldn’t be here. Kip is very angry right now. If he sees you two in the same—”

“What do you mean angry? Why is Kip angry?”

“Hannah.” Levi’s voice has me spinning around to face him. God, I missed him. I want to throw my arms around him and bask in his comfort. Have him tell me he forgives me and things are going to be okay. “You can’t be here. You need to leave.” Or not. His voice is dripping with disgust. Anger.

“Why? I told you. Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll tell my dad—”

He takes a step toward me, latching his hand around my bicep. His grip is hard. “Forget about the fucking case, you need to fucking—”

“You son of a bitch!” We both turn at my brother’s voice as he storms toward us. I don’t even have time to register as Kipley’s fist cocks back and smashes into Levi’s face. I scream as his head flies back. His hand jerks as he releases me and I fall backwards into Stacey.

“Kipley!” I scream in horror.

Kipley ignores me and goes barreling into Levi, throwing another punch. “You motherfucker! For real? My fucking sister?” He goes for another swing, and I scream while Levi willingly takes the blow.

“Kipley, stop!” I throw myself in between them, but Kip’s too enraged to acknowledge me. He goes after Levi again, shoving me out of the way. Stumbling, I lose my balance and land hard on my butt.

“How fucking could you?” Another swing. Another shriek from me. Why the hell isn’t Levi fighting back?

“Kip, stop! It’s not what you think!” My cry falls on deaf ears as my brother wrestles him to the ground, getting a good shot to Levi’s ribs.

“You think I wouldn’t find out? You piece of shit, you’ve been like a brother to me since we were kids. Sexual harassment?” Kip’s voice cracks, but he quickly regains his composure. “She’s like your sister!” he yells, landing blow after blow. “You sick fuck!”

His words halt me. “What? No, what are you talking about!” I push off the ground and lock my fists around Kipley’s shirt, pulling him off Levi. “You’re wrong. That’s not what’s happening.” My eyes take in a bloody Levi. “Tell him,” I beg. Levi coughs, blood splattering from his lip. “Levi—”

“Hannah, you don’t have to cover for him. Dad told me—”

“Told you what?” I snap at my brother. I turn my confused eyes back to Levi. What is he hiding from me?

“You should have come to me. I would have helped you. Taken care of—”

“For what!” I yell. Something’s not right. I shift my attention to Levi, a silent plea to please tell me what’s going on. This is more than just them finding out about us.

Levi coughs. Bending forward, he grabs his wounded ribs and wipes blood from his nose. “A sexual harassment complaint was filed at work today.” My eyes shoot wide open. “It came from you.”

My knees threaten to give out. “No…I—I didn’t do that.” My voice shakes.

Kip finally pushes off Levi and stands, reaching for me. “No, fuck him. Don’t take it back because he’s here. It’s done.” His anger directs back to Levi. “Get the fuck out of here. You ever lay a hand on my sister again, I’ll kill you myself.”

“Kip!” I yell and get in his face, but Levi puts his hand out.

“Hannah, don’t.”

“Don’t? It’s not true! I would never. Levi, you have to believe me.” I reach for him, but Kip uses his body as a barrier between us. “Kip, stop. This isn’t true. Levi’s done nothing wrong—”

“Just let it go, Hannah.” My attention retreats to Levi. “Let it go,” he says again, coughing out more blood, his voice stern. His face bruised and beaten, his arm cradling his stomach, he turns and walks out.

I twist around to face my brother. “How could you?” My voice is riddled in anguish. “He’s your best friend.” He reaches for me, and I slap his hand away.

“What the hell, Hannah?”

“No, what the hell to you, Kipley? You are so wrong about what’s going on. He never did anything to me I didn’t want.” His brows crease, his eyes thin with confusion. “I would have never put in that complaint because I’m in love with him.”

Stacey gasps as Kipley’s posture stiffens. His hand brushes down his face, unable to grasp my confession. “What did you just say?” Stacey takes a step closer, wrapping her arm around him. She tries to soothe him, but he brushes her off, his eyes laced with anger and hurt. “What did you just say?”