"You forget how hard it is to ignore someone who looks the way you do," He replied smoothly, taking advantage of the close proximity between the two of us.
Running his large hands slowly down my arms before looping them around my waist possessively...
𝐈 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 want to do this. Ezra knew it too. He always knew when I didn't want to do something, but that didn't stop him. Not this time, at least. I get it—he wants what's best for me. He always has. But sometimes, his good intentions feel more like a heavy, nagging weight pressing against my chest.
Still, I'd never call him draining. I love my brother. He's doing the right thing, setting the right example, so I'll do what he asks of me. Reluctantly.
I sighed, glancing around my partially packed apartment. Clothes, shoes, and random knick-knacks were scattered across the room like a hurricane had passed through. I always overpack—if I think I might need something, I bring it. The problem is, I think I need everything.
A knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts.
"You almost done, Vi?" Ezra's voice came through the crack in the door.
I turned to see him leaning against the frame, arms crossed. "Yeah, yeah. Take the rest of this to the car for me," I said with a grin, motioning to the stack of boxes by the door.
His brow arched as he looked me over. "Your hands are empty."
"Exactly," I said, smirking.
With a heavy sigh, he grabbed the boxes, muttering something under his breath as he shuffled out of the room. "Always making me do the hard work," he grumbled.
I laughed and followed him, locking up the apartment behind us. For good. Or at least until I worked up the courage to tell my landlord I wasn't coming back.
As we climbed into the car, Ezra adjusted his seat and glanced at me. "I'll help you unpack at Matío's, but I've gotta head out around eight. Promised Raina I'd take her out tonight."
"Of course you did," I said, rolling my eyes.
For a while, we drove in silence. Trees blurred past the windows, cars sped by, and the sky slowly darkened. I tried to distract myself, but after a few minutes, the words I'd been holding back spilled out.
"Ez, I think this is a bad idea. Seriously."
He didn't even look at me. "What's the issue? Are you uncomfortable around Matío or something? Did he... touch you?" His voice dropped, suddenly serious.
"Oh god, no!" I laughed. "It's just—we don't get along. You know that. He's probably gonna kick me out by tomorrow, and this whole thing will be a waste of time."
