In the Arms of the Older Brother
CIARA
I could hear the murmur behind me, the sound curling around the room, rising and rising as Austin reached for my hand. But before his fingers could brush mine, I drew away, quick and sure.
“Babe, what’s wrong? Why are you acting like this?” His voice wavered, and I could see the panic flickering in his eyes, raw and real, as if he truly didn’t understand.
It was amusing, but I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I averted my gaze, letting it drift past him to where my father and Yuri sat, both of them looking lost, bewildered.