The Imperfections

My jaw locks, and I swear to God, I’m shocked I don’t exhale a blaze of fire when my mouth opens. “I don’t appreciate the implication of what you’re saying,” I tell her tightly. Looking at Alyssa, narrowing my eyes at her, I add, “And I don’t much appreciate you letting her think you have a reason not to feel safe alone with me.”

Alyssa opens her mouth then closes it, like she decides against saying whatever was first on her tongue. After a pause, she says, “I’m not trying to make it seem like that, I just think Bri’s right and it’d be better if I left now. We can talk tomorrow.”

My lips curve up faintly. “Back to your date? I don’t think so, sweetheart. You’re gonna text him and tell him you’re not coming back. While you’re at it, text your mother or sister, whoever the hell you answer to at home, and let them know you’re not coming home, too. You’re staying with me tonight.”

“Brant, you’re angry right now. Why can’t you—” Bri begins, but I interrupt.

“You stay out of this,” I tell her, pointing at her then walking over and reclaiming Alyssa’s arm. “Don’t piss me off more than you already have, Alyssa. Get in the goddamn truck.”

“I don’t like the way you’re treating her,” Bri objects.

“And I don’t like the way Theo treats you,” I shoot back. “Seems we’re just destined to be unhappy about one another’s love lives. Now, let go of her goddamn arm so we can leave.”

Rather than obey my command like Alyssa would if she didn’t have Bri here to hide behind, Bri looks me square in the eye and asks, “Does she know about Nicole?”

I stare at my sister, the roots of betrayal wrapping around me so tightly I can’t breathe properly.

Alyssa is alert, looking between the two of us. “Who is Nicole?”

The verification that Alyssa doesn’t know one of the more important parts of my history seems to be all the proof Bri needs that it’s dangerous for me to leave with her. Trying for placating sympathy since she can tell how angry I am by the look on my face, Bri touches my arm and says gently, “Brant, she even looks a little like her, and she’s around the same age. I don’t know why Alyssa’s here with someone else tonight or what’s been going on between you two, but… I think it’s in everybody’s best interest—”

Cutting her off, I say lowly and distinctly, “I don’t care what you think.”

Turning back to Alyssa, I see a look on her face like she realizes she’s in over her head now, but doesn’t know which way to swim. Since I don’t have much to threaten her with and I’m done arguing with her about going with me, I bring out the biggest gun I can level at her with my sister standing here.

I keep my voice calm and even so as not to scare her more in the wrong way, but there’s steel in my tone and I hold her gaze so she knows how fucking serious I am. “If you don’t get in that goddamn truck and leave with me right now, baby in your belly or not, you will never see me again.”

Her eyes widen and she inhales sharply, a mix of fear and confusion written all over her pretty face. I only have the space of a few breaths to worry she might be scared enough to stand her ground regardless of my threat, then she turns without a word and hauls her little ass over to the passenger side of my truck.

Relief trickles through me. I know I still have a long night ahead of me, but it’ll be more manageable once my sister’s not around to butt in.

“Brantley Morrison, don’t you bully that girl,” my sister attempts sternly, like I’m one of her boys misbehaving.

I start walking toward the truck, but I look back at her over my shoulder as I do. “Don’t say a word about this to anyone, Bri. Don’t tell anyone you saw her tonight—not even your husband.”

“Why?” she demands.

I don’t answer her. I just take my keys out of my pocket, unlock my truck, and keep walking toward it.

“Don’t you hurt her, Brantley!” she calls after me, the pitch of her voice rising with increasing concern. “I swear to God, if you do, I won’t cover for you this time!”

I ignore her and get in my truck, jamming my key into the ignition and starting it up. I look back to make sure my sister isn’t in the way. She’s a pain in my ass, but I don’t want to run her over.

Before I back out of my parking spot, Alyssa says quietly, “Your own sister doesn’t trust you.”

I don’t respond right away, waiting to see if she has more to say.