A Brother's Love

The Godfather

Leaving Alex in the past was much easier than I originally assumed. I got dressed for work, wearing a plain white tee tucked into a flowy pink skirt with lace floral detailing. I wore platform heels so it was much comfortable walking around the shop. I promised myself to focus on work, pretending the Dehn family didn’t even exist would be much easier if I kept myself occupied. It was a busy day at the floral shop and I managed to get through my day without a hitch. I found my spirit again and managed to smile and it actually reaching my eyes. It was a good day until he walked through the door. I nearly dropped a vase which I was wrapping up for a customer, cursing myself mentally for letting him get to me like that.

“Poppy.”

I forced a smile on my face, not wanting to scare off my customers. I was having a good day, making a lot of sales so I didn’t want to ruin it.

“Alex.” I greeted back, my tone high-pitched.

He approached the counter, looking jumpy and awkward. After my eventful meetings with his brother, I couldn't quite understand what I ever saw in this man. I envisioned a future for us yet as I looked at him now all I saw was a man with no backbone.

“It’s busy today.”

I handed the customer her paper bag with the wrapped up vase in it and then focused on Alex. He was leaning against the counter with his side, a nervous look on his face. It was almost sad but I didn't allow myself to feel sorry for him. I was the one who went through a shitty situation because of him.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I want to apologize.” He never looked at me, his eyes focusing on everything else in the room beside me, “I didn’t know Easton would take it that far.”

“You want to apologize?” I repeated.

“He shouldn’t have done that.” Alex continued quickly, speaking so fast that I really had to focus on his words, “Things were over between us, he didn’t have to make his point by doing that. I’m so sorry, Poppy.”

“You’re sorry about Easton kidnapping me.” I concluded, letting the words sink in to get a grasp on the situation, “You’re not sorry about suddenly breaking up with me because your psychopath brother asked that of you.”

He glanced around the room, looking frantic. I didn’t care about people listening in our conversation though. If Easton didn’t want people to find out about his shady activities he should have made things clear with his brother as well. Alex was the one showing up in the middle of the day so it was on him if people found out Easton Dehn was a criminal.

“It was better for the both of us to end things.” He whispered.

“Well, I agree with you now.” I folded my arms across my chest, “At the time I felt completely lost, Alex and you did that to me. So don’t come showing up here looking like a lost puppy. I don’t appreciate it. Just stay away. It’s what Easton wants so it’s what Easton’s gets.” I then ignored him completely and focused on making small talk with customers who were looking around.

I heard his footsteps, listening to him leaving the shop. Once he was gone I dared to relax again.

***

Dinner with friends was something I hadn’t done in ages, I focused entirely on Alex and my flower shop and now that we were over I was that bad friend who turned to her friends again when her life wasn’t going the way she had planned. I was awful.

“You’re such a bitch.”

Serena wasn’t wrong, I was a total b***h. The brunette flicked her hair back, leaning back in her chair while sipping her red wine. Her perfect eyebrows were sharp and made her look intimidating. I didn’t dare to respond because she terrified me with her perfect eyebrows and death glare.

“And I’m totally going to say it.” She pointed out, “I told you so.” Thankfully she didn’t sing it. She just said it straight out, almost monotonously.

I reached for my glass of wine, needing alcohol so bad right now.

“And he was a little bitch.” Serena kept going, “If you f****d the other Dehn, I’d be like yeah sure you were a horrible friend but I get it. The man f****d your brains out and you were thinking with your vagina.”

I choked in my drink, quickly putting my glass down I grabbed my napkin and wiped my mouth. I did not want to think about Easton Dehn and his p***s anywhere near my v****a. Serena handed me another napkin.

“I’m good now.”

I cleaned up, “It’s out of your system?” I asked, “Because you’re right about most of it. Just not Easton Dehn. Let me give you some advice if you ever meet the guy scream bloody murder and run for the hills.”

She tilted her head to the side, “That bad?”

I leaned forward, “I think his life is like the Godfather movie.” I whispered.

She threw her head back and laughed, so loud that the people who were also present at the wine bar looked at us like we lost our mind. They probably thought we were drunk out of our mind hence the looks of disapproval.

“You had too much wine.” Serena laughed, “That was funny though.” She tried to catch her breath, shaking her head at me.

She thought I was joking and I probably couldn’t convince her. If she ever met the guy and f****d his brains out then got kidnapped and tied to a chair it was my chance to say I told you so. I just had to be patient.

“You’ll see.” I sang.

***

It was three in the morning when I heard noises coming from the front door. I peeked my head out of the bedroom, holding a can of hairspray in my hand as my weapon of choice. The noise was getting louder and louder and I was honestly scared out of my mind. I should have called the police but my drunk mind was making me do crazy s**t. I pushed my messy hair out of my face and quietly walked to the door, unlocking it quietly and then ripping the door open to surprise whoever it was. I held the can of hairspray up and attacked whoever was at the door.

“f**k!”

I then took in whoever made the racket and swallowed.

“Easton?”

He pushed past me, stumbling into my apartment and leaving a bloody handprint on my white painted wall just by the door. Staring at the handprint I dropped the can of hairspray ignoring the groans of pain which came from the guy.

“Poppy!” He called.

I couldn’t look at him though, I was making plans to buy paint and cover up whatever that was.

“Poppy! Shut the f*****g door.”

Snapping out of my daze I looked over my shoulder to see Easton not only pressing a cloth to his shoulder which was soaked with blood but also rubbing his eyes. Hairspray, I forgot about that too. Quickly moving I shut the door and locked it and then moved to the struggling man, grabbing his arm and guiding him to my bathroom.

“You need to rinse with water, I’m going to get-“ I swallowed when the scent of copper reached my nose, it was horrible, “Some stuff for this.” I gestured to the bloody mess.

Easton didn’t comment he did as told while I moved around, collecting medical supplies which consisted out of a small first-aid kit and a bottle of Chardonnay. Wounds needed to get disinfected right? I saw this s**t on TV all the time. Pour some alcohol on the wound and then cover it up. Something like that should work.