romance at the bookstore

Chapter 13

Leila POV

When I left home for university I left my brother Logan in charge of the family. I was worried that he wouldn't be able to manage to take care of my mom and siblings and go to school, but he's making it work and I'm sooo proud of him!

He surprised me by showing up at my work today and it was the best thing ever. He came in and since I was cashing out a customer I didn't see him. He picked out a book and came to pay for it and as soon as I saw him I jumped out of my chair to hug him.

Logan is a lot taller then me even if though he's 3 years ago younger, he has lighter hair then I do, which he got from our dad. His eyes are darker then mine though, they're a very dark brown, almost black. We don't look alike at all, but somehow people can still tell we're related.

I ask Logan to wait until my shift was over and he said of course. So I spent the rest of the hour excitedly cashing people out as Logan read a book I'm the corner waiting for me to be done. He's such a nice, patient kid, I love him so much.

Finally, Logan and I left the bookstore to go to my apartment and then the cafe. As we were walking I realized I hadn't really seen Alex around. I guess he had an earlier shift than me. Usually, he says bye before he leaves, but maybe he forgot.

We got to the apartment and before I went inside I couldn't resist the urge to hug the kid even if it embarrassed him. I missed him so much!

Logan and I talked for hours about how school was, how the kids were and how our mom was.

"The kids are all good Leila, they help me a lot with things in the house and Octavia even for a job to help pay the rent."

Octavia is the third oldest of the family, she's a little wild. She loves skateboards and fighting and she gets in a lot of trouble at school and with her teachers because she's not afraid to share her opinions. The fact that she has a job is really great and I hope that she's becoming a little more mature because of it.

Eventually, we both agree that we should go home and walk out of the cafe. We hug one last time and then go our separate ways. I remind him that he can come to visit me whenever he wants and that I always love to see him.

On my short walk home I see Alex stumbling down the street to our apartment building."Hey, what's going on Alex?"

"Don't talk to me!" he sputters

"Okay I don't know what's going on or how much you had to drink but I haven't done anything wrong so you better explain." Is he drunk?

"Haven't done anything wrong?" he laughs, "That's funny because last time I checked, banging two guys isn't doing nothing wrong. It's called being a slut, Leila!"

"What the fuck are you talking about" I can feel my face starting to heat up with anger.

"I saw him. I saw you and him. You were hugging and then you said you missed him so so so so much" he mocked, "and then you both went to the cafe ."

"First of all he was my brother who I haven't seen in over a year and I can't have this conversation with you. You think you have the right to come up to me, completely drunk and go around calling me a slut? I thought you were different. I gave you a second chance because I thought that all of those times that we fought you were just upset or having a bad day but I'm done making excuses for you Alex." I'm so fucking mad right now. How could he think I was with another guy.

"No Leila, I'm sorry"

"No Alex, go sober up and don't talk to me"

"I didn't realize he was your brother, I'm sorry I just assumed..."

I cut him off before he can continue

"Exactly, you just assumed that I was fucking another guy, I thought you trusted me more than that Alex."

I storm away before he can say anything else. What a dick! Honestly, I can't believe that he trusts me so little.

I feel the tears start to stream down my face before I even get to my apartment. I climb the stairs and the higher up I get the more I'm crying. I slam the door to my apartment and run into the bathroom. To help keep my steady I lean on the counter, I can't stop crying.

How did I let myself get so attached in so little time, but also how did I fall in love with someone who thinks so little of me?

I turn on the shower to the hottest setting, I undress and step in, I can't stand anymore.

Sitting down on the floor of the shower I continue to cry. My body racked with sobs. I hear the door open in Alex's apartment and know he just got home. I can hear him cleaning things up before opening the door to the bathroom and turning on the shower.

Thinking about him being so close to me makes me cry harder. The sound of the water just barely drowned out my sobs.

Through the wall, I hear, "I'm sorry Leila."

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Authors Note

Sorry for the late update. Both Ella and I have been super busy with school but we promise to keep updating as much as we can!

I hope you guys are enjoying the book so far!

What do you think is going to happen next?

Make sure to vote, comment and share!

XOXO,

Shae and Ella