Whispered Promises

Chapter 32 - Under Currents

Levi's POV

The waves crash against the shore with a steady rhythm, their power relentless and familiar. Surfing has always been my escape, a way to clear my head when life gets too complicated. Today is no different, but even the ocean can't wash away the thoughts that have been gnawing at me all week.

Alex.

She's been spending more time with me than with Lucien, and every time we hang out, there's this unspoken tension between us. But it's more than that. It's the way Lucien looks at her, the way he's always around, hovering like he's afraid to let her out of his sight. It drives me crazy. He's my brother, and I hate feeling this way—jealous, territorial, whatever you want to call it. But I can't help it. Seeing them together makes something inside me twist in a way I've never felt before.

I ride a wave back to shore, trying to shake off the frustration. As I walk up the beach, board tucked under my arm, I see Alex waiting for me. She's smiling, but something about it seems off. I've known her long enough to read her moods, and today, she's distracted, like her mind is somewhere else.

"Ready for that hike?" she asks when I reach her.

"Yeah," I reply, forcing a grin. "Let's go."

We start up the trail, pushing ourselves like we always do. Alex is competitive, just like me, and that's one of the things I like most about her. But as we climb higher, I notice the way she keeps glancing back, like she's not fully present. I wonder if she's thinking about Lucien, and the thought makes my chest tighten uncomfortably.

At the summit, we stop to take in the view. It's stunning, but I can't focus on it. All I can think about is her.

"You okay?" I ask, breaking the silence.

She hesitates, then nods. "I'm fine... just a lot on my mind."

I want to ask her more, to dig deeper, but I hold back. Talking about feelings has never been my strong suit, and whatever this is between us feels too complicated to untangle right now.

That night, after dinner, I catch sight of Lucien and Alex talking on the porch. They're close, their voices low, and then it happens. They kiss. But this time, it's not just a quick peck—there's something deeper, more intense about it. My stomach twists into knots as I watch, the jealousy gnawing at me harder than ever.

I quickly look away, pretending I didn't see anything, but the image is burned into my mind. I head inside, trying to keep my cool, but the anger and hurt are simmering just below the surface. I hate feeling like this—like I'm in some twisted competition with my own brother. And the worst part is, I'm not even sure if I have the right to feel this way. It's not like Alex is mine. She's never been mine. But watching her with Lucien makes me realize just how much I want her to be.

When Alex comes out to the firepit later, I try to play it cool, acting distant and cold, hoping that putting some space between us will help me get over these feelings. She sits down next to me, and I can feel the tension between us. I want to ask her about the kiss, but I can't bring myself to do it. Instead, I keep my answers short, my tone clipped, hoping she doesn't notice how much it's affecting me.

"I kissed Lucien," she says after a long silence, her voice tentative.

My stomach twists, but I force myself to stay calm. "Yeah, I saw."

She glances at me, her expression a mix of guilt and confusion. "But it wasn't... I don't know, it didn't feel right. We talked, and we agreed to just be friends."

A small part of me feels relieved, but the jealousy is still there, lingering like a bad taste in my mouth. I nod, trying to play it off like it doesn't matter, but deep down, it does.

"I just want things to be normal between us," she says, her eyes searching mine for some kind of reassurance.

I nod again, not trusting myself to say anything more. I know I should be happy that they're just friends, but the truth is, I'm scared. Scared that if I let myself care too much, I'll only end up getting hurt.

A part of me feels relieved, but I'm also wary. I don't want to get my hopes up, and I sure as hell don't want to be the rebound guy.

I don't say anything. I just sit there, letting the silence stretch between us, because sometimes words aren't enough. Sometimes, it's better to just be.

As the night wears on, I realize that no matter how hard I try to distance myself, my feelings for Alex aren't going away. But I also know that pretending I don't care isn't going to cut it anymore. I just don't know how to deal with it. Not when my brother is involved. Not when it feels like I'm betraying him by wanting something—or someone—that he had first.

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