The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 5

JUNIPER

I excused myself from the conversation with Ethan, my head swimming with confusion. I had always thought Professor Harrison was an excellent teacher. He cared about his students to a different level that other teachers didn’t. Looking back at his subtle touches on my arms now made me shiver.

I may have been innocent in whatever happened with Professor Harrison, but Ethan’s words implied that multiple other students had been involved in what I was being accused of, and that made my stomach roil. I could understand how a student would get desperate enough to sleep with the teacher—not that I would ever do something like that myself. However, Professor Harrison had no excuses. He took advantage of those students in a completely unprofessional and grotesque way. They were victims, but if the student body ever found out their names, they would be treated like pariahs.

der hit my side, making me lose balance. “

and the figure disappeared into the distance. She was sniggering with her friends, and I knew she had bumped into me on purpose. I

e.

erent roommate. She could have told me to leave her alone. She never even tried to talk to me. Instead, she just stabbed me in the back. That was a completely different level of bitterness, even for her.

opping me in my tracks.

the car. The realization made my body tense.

rson who had stopped me. His dark hair was on the longer side, threatening to cover his eyes. It looked easy to get my hands tangled in his hair. He wore a black button-up shirt with the top couple of buttons undone. A leather jacket covered his torso, and his jeans were tight around his thighs. He looked at me, and it looked like there was a storm brewing in an oc

”

His jaw was tight, and he seemed irritated.

It felt like I was the most annoying person in the world to this guy, but we had just met a moment ago. I didn’t know what to do.

said this like an order. “It would

eve the best in people, but with everything else falling apart, that seemed impossible to do right now.

away, but he didn’t let go.

first. I was just agreeing with you. Did you only say it to make me contradict you and make you feel better?” He raised an eyebrow, challenging me.

Well, no…” I was at a loss for words. “I just… Actually, nevermind. It’s none of your business. If you’d kindly

or your own good.” He kept his grip firm. “It’s why you let everyone walk all over you.”

is taunt. I saw the doubt in his eyes. He didn’t think I would push back against him.

im I could stand up for myself.

but that was better at least.” He turned and started walking across the street I had just tried to cross.

a goodbye or something, but he just walked away. I didn’t even know his name.

ing to tell me to be more forceful and then you’re just going to walk away.”

ebrows. “Oh, you’re still here.”

brewing in his eyes.

what I hear, you’re smart. I’m sure you can figure out my name.”

one likely knew who I was already and had decided what kind of person I was without even knowing me.

n a hushed tone, “Tell you what. If you can figure out my name without me telling you, I’ll give you a kiss as a reward.”

t felt like I had had this exact interaction before, which only made everything confusing.

also resulted in a starkly different appearance.

re Axel, aren’t you?”

lly ready to let him. Instead, he poked my nose and smirked.

ou figure it out?”

ou are the brother to avoid. I’m starting to think he was right.”

tarted walking again without a word.

him again. “Where are you going?”

ing for? A peck? A smooch? Tongue?”

ses got, the more I realized I couldn’t afford the distractions dating provided.

s irritating and rude, but I still wanted to touch him.

me.”

t know you,” I said slowly. I knew his name and everything I had heard about the Burrell family, but I didn’t know

e your mind about that kiss. See you around, J.J.” Axel walked away, and this time I didn’t follow him.

ed. It was her pet name for me, and I loved it. Hearing it come out of Axel’s mouth turned my feet into stone. I couldn’t move. I felt like I was thrown

d as I watched Axel disappear into the distance. The interactions with him were like a whirlwind, and now that it was over, I didn’t know where I was.

hed for Axel’s kiss.

***

ASHER

entire day with her.

iscuss with you.

bubbles to appear.

re you

uniper that I forgot to pay attention to my surroundings.

rved his face into the familiar disapproving look I was used to. He often felt more like anot

ust out of reach.

screen one more time before handing my phone back to me.

de me revert to my old ways.

of your business.”

h was none of his business.

ct her?” Ethan clutched his bag in his hand, looking down in his disapproving way.

en you scowl like that, it makes you look ten years older.” I stood up and started gathering my

o swarm her, it could be more harmful than helpful.”

ctually remembers who we all are? Because that sounds like a good thing to me.”

ould just leave her alone before we drag her into more trouble.”

not worried about her. Don’t tell me you don’t miss her. We all do. She’s alone here. She doesn’t even have her parents anymore, and you really want me to leave her to suffer alone? Or maybe you just want to keep her to yourself.” I stood up and glared at Ethan. I knew it was a challenge. When I was younger, I was too terrified to challenge my older brother, but things were different now.

thought we would get, and I wasn’t about to squander it because Ethan was trying to be the good servant our f

finds out the truth—”

rrupted.

u can’t tell her what happened. You know that.”

stopping me.”

seemed to relax. “Just don’t do anything stupid. I can only do so much to protect all of you.”

put more effort into worrying about him if I were you. I’ve got to go. See

lked away, and my pho

stress from Ethan completely disappeared. This was my second chance with Juniper, and I wasn’t about to squander it becau