Page 45 of Habits

“Jeanette …” he growls in warning. Actually growls.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” I grit defensively through my teeth, not ready to say anything else until he tells me exactly what he knows.

“I’m talking about this!”

Max comes closer, pushing his phone into my face. I blink a few times, clearing away the raging haze clouding my eyes, and look at the screen.

He doesn’t know,I want to sigh in relief, but then he would definitely know something’s going on, so I hold it in.

The photo is a shitty quality because it’s dark, but I can clearly see the outline of the bar. I’m pressed against it with Andrew caging me in, his hands cupping my cheeks as he devours my lips.

They tingle as I look at the photo, remembering last night.

“That’s what you call fucking?” I spat, throwing away the phone in disgust.

Maybe if I don’t look at him, the feeling will go away.

“He kissed you, Jeanette!” Max howls, his hand running through his hair in frustration. “He kissed my baby sister.”

“I’m hardly a baby.” I roll my eyes, playing it off. “And he was drunk.”

“Did you like it?” His eyes narrow as he takes me in, looking for some kind of clue. Something that will help him figure me out, see the secrets I’m hiding.

“What? No!”

“You’re lying!” He points his finger at me.

“Oh, please! You’re delusional, Max!” I throw my blanket off, getting out of bed, suddenly feeling cornered.

“I know you!”

“You don’t know shit. I don’t like Andrew. The guy is the world’s biggest douchebag! What is there to like?!”

I open my closet and start going through my stuff, needing some kind of distraction.

“Exactly!”

“He’s your friend, not mine,” I deadpan.

“He’s not a bad guy, Anette.” Max sighs, sitting down on the edge of my bed. “He’s angry and misunderstood. He’s broken and damaged like …”

Max stops mid-sentence, catching himself before he says something he won’t be able to take back. My head falls forward.

“Like me,” I finish for him. “He’s broken and damaged like me.”

“I just don’t want to see you hurt, Anette.”

I can hear the sheets rustling, and then he’s there, behind me. His strong, reliable arms wrap around me as his head falls to my shoulder.

For a few seconds, I let myself stay in his arms. For a few seconds, I welcome his warmth and strength before I wiggle free.

“You don’t have anything to worry about. There is nothing going on between me and Andrew. Nothing will ever be going on between us.”

“Anette …” Max sighs, but I shake my head no.

Then I take my stuff and go to the bathroom, shutting the door firmly between me and my twin.

Andrew

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