He stepped closer to me, getting so close that he blocked my view of the girls. “If you really loved her, you would leave.” His eyes shifted back and forth as he looked into mine. “Not the situation. Her. You would leave her. You’re a selfish motherfucker who would rather drive a wedge between her and her family than bow out. You would rather waste her time than let her find the man she deserves. So, no, you don’t fucking love her. You never did. And you never will.”SixCatalinaIt was unlike Heath to back down from a fight, but he did.
He left out the back entrance.
He didn’t look at me before he went. He didn’t challenge my brother. He just walked away.
There was no other decision except that one, and I was glad I didn’t have to talk Heath into it. The instant I noticed my brother was behind me, my lungs became so cold, they tightened and stopped me from breathing. I felt like I’d been caught red-handed stealing or having a boy in my bedroom when I was specifically told not to.
When it was just us, I stared at myself for a few seconds in the vanity before I wiped at my skin, getting rid of the ridiculous stage makeup that highlighted every single expression I made under the hot lights.
Then I rose to my feet, grabbed my bag, and faced my brother.
He still looked angry. He stared at me for a long time without speaking, like he was disgusted with me for the display of affection I’d just shown, grabbing and kissing a man he’d declared a blood enemy, an enemy who would be passed down through generations.
I had no idea how my face looked at that moment, if I appeared embarrassed by what he’d witnessed, uncomfortable that he was there, angry with him for ordering my lover away when he shouldn’t have. I really had no idea.
“Annabella and I wanted to invite you to dinner.” He forced out the words with effort, like it pained him to pretend that nothing had happened.
“I’m not hungry.” Heath had probably been planning to take me out to dinner, to tell me how beautiful I looked onstage, to stare at me like he couldn’t believe I was his. He could have joined us and done all those things, but he was exiled.
Damien seemed annoyed by my response but didn’t reprimand me for it. “Then we’ll take you home.”
I was too numb to argue, so I didn’t say anything.
Anna didn’t say anything either, her eyes downcast like she thought she was prying by being there.
The three of us walked to the parking lot, and Damien drove me to my apartment. Anna stayed in the car, probably because she anticipated a fight she shouldn’t witness, and my brother walked me to the door.
I unlocked the door and stepped inside. I hung my heavy coat by the door and tossed my purse onto the table against the wall. While I was happy Damien had come to see my performance, I was also annoyed he’d ruined my night. “What’s the point of this, Damien?” I turned to him, the logs of my fire rekindling because there was a subtle spark there, underneath the simmering embers. “I’m going to Heath’s place when you leave anyway.” With my hands on my hips, I faced my brother. He never stuck his nose into my business and never tried the protective brother act, but now he was being a goddamn dictator.
All he did was stare at me.
“This is stupid. Don’t you think this is stupid?” My voice rose, packed with emotional frustration.
He kept his voice calm. “I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to talk about him. I don’t want to know he exists. Made that pretty clear.”
“Well, the theatre is a public place. It’s not your home or a family dinner. He shouldn’t have to disappear every time you step into the room—”
“Yes, he should.” His eyes started to light up like mine. “He’s a smart guy. He could have figured out I was in the theatre if he paid attention.”
“Well, maybe he was too busy watching me,” I snapped.
My brother didn’t lose his temper like I did, but his quiet rage was somehow just as potent. “I won’t apologize for what I did. I won’t change my behavior. Learn from your mistakes.” He turned to the door.
“Learn from my mistakes?” I asked incredulously. “You really want nothing to do with him? Then you should text me and tell me when you’re coming to a show. Tell me when you’re stopping by my apartment.”
He slowly turned back to me. “I’m your goddamn family. I don’t have to do that.”
“You can’t have it both ways, Damien,” I said as I shook my head.
He slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks, his silver watch visible around his wrist.