Chapter Four: Cracks and Confessions
858 Words
It happened the next morning.
The house was too quiet. That kind of quiet that settles just before a storm breaks — the kind Alex felt before she heard her brother’s voice.
“Seth, man, calm down—”
“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Seth barked. “You’ve been sneaking around with my sister?!”
Alex froze halfway down the stairs. Her heart slammed against her ribcage as she peeked through the railings into the living room.
There stood Seth — tall, furious, and pacing — while Aaron, hands in the air, stood his ground.
“You’re acting like I did something wrong,” Aaron said tightly. “I didn’t plan it, Seth. It just happened.”
“Oh yeah? She just happened to fall into your lap?”
Alex winced. Great.
Aaron stepped forward, jaw tight. “You know me. You know I’d never hurt her.”
“That’s not the point!” Seth exploded. “She’s my little sister, man! She’s off-limits!”
“She’s not a child anymore!” Aaron shot back. “She’s... she’s amazing. She’s smart and funny and brave, and she sees me like no one else does—”
And then Seth spotted her.
Standing halfway down the stairs. Barefoot. Watching.
His face paled, then flushed again. “How long?”
Alex swallowed. “Not long. We’ve just... been talking. Getting to know each other.”
Seth turned to Aaron, betrayal carved deep into his features. “You could’ve told me.”
Aaron’s voice dropped. “Would you have let it happen?”
Seth didn’t answer.
But he didn’t yell again, either. He just walked past them both, up the stairs, and slammed his bedroom door.
The silence that followed was worse than any shouting.
Aaron let out a breath and looked at her. “Well. That went... better than I thought?”
Alex gave him a look. “That was better?”
“Okay, maybe not better,” he admitted. “But at least it’s out.”
She walked to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.”
He kissed her hair. “Don’t be. I’d do it all again.”
Later that week, things were tense. Seth wasn’t mean — just cold. Distant. And Alex hated every second of it.
Sophie, of course, was in full rom-com mode.
“I told you this would happen,” she whispered across the lunch table.
Alex sighed. “You also told me to wear glitter body oil and climb into Aaron’s lap during a slow dance.”
“That advice was also valid.”
Ben poked his straw through his smoothie. “So what’s the plan, lovers? Hide in a broom closet until he cools off?”
Sophie’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Actually... I have a better idea.”
That Friday, Sophie hosted an “accidental” chill night at her house. Pizza, games, and “surprise” guests. Seth was invited. Aaron was invited. Everyone was “randomly” paired up for team challenges, and Sophie made damn sure Alex and Aaron ended up on opposite teams — just to dial the tension.
It was chaos. Loud music, yelling, dancing in the kitchen. And in the middle of it all — Seth watching them.
Alex found him by the fridge later, drinking straight from a soda bottle.
She leaned on the counter next to him. “You gonna stay mad at me forever?”
He didn’t look at her. “I’m not mad at you.”
“Then what?”
He hesitated, then finally looked at her. “You’re my kid sister, Al. I’ve been protecting you since we were little. And suddenly you’re... this. Grown up. Confident. You’ve got guys staring at you in the hallways, and I hate it.”
“I’m still me,” she said softly. “Still your weird little sister who reads fantasy books and talks to her plants.”
Seth smiled faintly. “Yeah. With cleavage now. Fantastic.”
She rolled her eyes, laughing. “Aaron isn’t just some random guy. You know that.”
“Yeah,” Seth muttered. “That’s the problem.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look... I’m not gonna be okay with it overnight. But I trust him. And I trust you.”
Alex’s heart swelled.
“Thank you,” she said.
“But if he hurts you—”
“I know,” she cut in. “I’ll help you bury the body.”
Seth cracked a grin. “Atta girl.”
Later that night, back at home, Alex jumped onto her laptop and logged into Warfront Heroes.
Potatokiller is online.
Her heart fluttered.
AuburnArrow: Guess who got the brother blessing tonight?
Potatokiller: No way. 😳 He actually took it well?
AuburnArrow: There was yelling. Threats. A pizza truce. But yes, eventually.
Potatokiller: Then I’m officially taking you on a date.
AuburnArrow: Like, in real life? No controller?
Potatokiller: Real life. Real food. And if you’re lucky, a kiss you won’t be interrupted during.
She bit her lip, grinning.
AuburnArrow: I’m holding you to that
- Writer
