But That's None Of My Business Novels & Stories

After a long beat, he muttered, "You're quitting over THAT? I was busy. I didn't read it. It doesn't count." I couldn't help it—I laughed. "Says who? I followed every step. It's official. Why wouldn't it count?" "Because I said so." Still bluffing. Just like always.

I cut in. “Yes,” he says. “That’s my family’s business, and I don’t see what it has to do with us.” “You don’t,” I deadpan. Then, before he can say anything else, I add, “You know what? You are right. It’s none of my business how he became your brother. You didn’t have to tell me. I didn’t need to know.” He looks at me expectantly, as if waiting for me to acknowledge that I overreacted, that I shouldn’t have ghosted him on account of that.

For the way I couldn’t seem to stop hurting the people who got too close to me. I looked away, my voice low and filled with shadows. “This isn’t about territory anymore. This isn’t business.” I paused, the full weight of everything settling heavy in my chest. “This is personal.”

"That's none of your business." * * *

His hands curled into fists at his sides and the muscles in his back were taut beneath his shirt. “It means you don’t know what you’re asking about.” “Then tell me.” “No.” “Why not?” “Because it’s none of your business.” His voice was ice. “And because some things are better left buried.” “But people are saying…” “I don’t care what people are saying.” He didn’t turn around, just stood there with his back to her, fists still clenched. “Drop it.” “I just want to understand…” “There’s nothing to understand.” His voice went quieter, which somehow made it worse. “You asked a question. I told you it’s none of your business. That’s the end of this conversation.”

“Today is my day off and I am not going to waste it on work.” He just gives me a long stare but doesn’t say anything, which in this case is kind of suspicious. “What? Come on, you are dying to comment on it,” I tease him and my smile actually turns genuine with is a surprise even for me. “I don’t have anything to add to this, how you spend your time is your business, especially when you are not using it to poke around mine.” “And?” “And nothing,” he shrugs.

He asks me. His words begin to trigger nerves and memories I'm trying to block out of my head. “First of all, I'm not doing anything with Ella and second, it's really not your business. Why don't you mind your stuff and I'll mind mine.” I try to make him go away, but he won't. “Maybe if I wouldn't be the same person you'll come crying to when it all explodes into your face, I would have minded my business.” He says sarcastically.

Because the worst part was that I couldn’t tell whether I wanted to prove him wrong… Or whether I was afraid he might be right. “All of you stay the fuck out of my business! Whatever I do with him is none of your concern.”

He retorted. “I don't care. Like I said it's none of my business as long as it doesn't interfere with Mercedes duties to my children.” I told him and Ethan seemed as though he didn't believe me and I couldn't blame him as even I didn't believe the words I had just spewed.

“His pack is not good news.” I rub my temples. “Look, don’t pretend to care now, okay? First of all, I am none of your business. He could be an ax-wielding murderer, and it would still be none of your business. I have this strong feeling, call it a hunch if you will, that you simply think that everyone should view me with the same disdain you do.” “That’s not—"