The door slams against the wall as Alex rushes in.
Alex
I don’t want to break up!
But when he sees Danny and me on the bed…
Then he has the nerve to narrow his eyes.
Alex
Wait, what’s going on here?
And that calm feeling Danny just gave me…
It leaves me at the sight of Alex.
How dare he burst in here after the stunt he pulled tonight?!
How dare he say he wants me back?!
For a second, I grip the sheets in pure anger…
And then, I make a snap decision.
One I’ll probably have to apologize for later.
But Alex deserves a taste of his own medicine.
And pull him down toward me.
I cup the back of his neck…
Shove my fingers through his hair…
And crush his mouth to mine.
So hard — and so passionately — that it nearly steals my breath away.
I’m too consumed by adrenaline.
At first, Danny is unresponsive…
And I can taste the shock on his lips.
But as I move against his mouth…
And shamelessly press up toward his body…
And suddenly, he’s kissing me back.
The energy that has been hazy between us all night clicks into place.
And then things start to spiral out of my control.
I try not to get distracted by how soft his lips feel…
By the soothing sensation washing over me…
But Danny is making it impossible.
I thought the kiss would be awkward…
When I pull back in surprise a few seconds later…
If the baffled look on his face is any indication.
Alex’s sputtering draws me back to the present.
Alex
Kylie, what do you THINK you’re doing?!
Feeling like I’m on fire.
Kylie
What does it look like I’m doing?!
Kylie
I’m kissing my boyfriend!
Alex throws his hands wildly in the air.
Alex
That’s my brother Danny!
Kylie
You’re NOTHING to me.
Kylie
After what you tried to do tonight…
His eyes flicker with shame.
Alex
I don’t know what I was thinking.
Kylie
You weren’t thinking, Alex!
Kylie
Especially not about me.
Kylie
You embarrassed me.
Kylie
And tried to manipulate me.
Kylie
If you wanted to break up with me…
Kylie
You should have just told me.
Kylie
Instead, you tricked your brother into doing it!
Kylie
And I date grown men.
Kylie
I can’t be with you.
I trap his gaze with mine…
And let him see the hurt I feel.
But if I’m being honest with myself…
I’m not as hurt as he probably thinks.
Alex and I have only been dating a month.
So when he puts a soft hand on my arm…
I’m more annoyed than anything else.
Alex
I know you’re upset but…
Alex
Let’s talk about this.
And did I seriously ever like this clown?
Kylie
We didn’t have anything in common, anyway.
Suddenly, Danny steps in front of me.
He puts a hand out toward his brother.
Alex’s face transforms with condescending anger as he looks at Danny.
The tension in the room amplifies.
I’ve never seen that expression on Alex’s face before…
And it makes my stomach dip.
There’s some serious anger between these two brothers.
…Should I have just let this whole thing drop?
Maybe I should have walked away…
Alex
This isn’t any of your business, Danny!
Danny
You dragged me into this mess!
Danny
Just like you always do.
Alex takes a menacing step forward.
Alex
What’s that supposed to mean?
I try to step between them…
But they don’t notice me.
The guilt I’m already feeling starts to build.
Should I sneak out the door?
Danny
Alex, I’m done doing your dirty work.
Danny
I’m done being used by you.
Alex rears back in shock.
His next words cement the fact that he really doesn’t get it.
Alex
So helping out your brother is “being used” now?!
Danny
Is that what you call it?
Danny
Because you’ve gotten me into trouble more times than I can count!
Danny
And you don’t even care!
As if Danny is a nuisance.
Alex
Danny, just shut up.
Alex
And get out of my way.
Alex
I need to talk to Kylie.
But Danny doesn’t get out of his way.
And by the confusion on Alex’s face…
I can tell it’s not something that happens often.
Danny
You have no right to even look at her.
Danny
Frankly, neither do I.
Danny
Not after what we did.
Alex still doesn’t take the hint.
He just looks at his brother in disgust.
Alex
Some brother you are.
Alex
I can’t count on you for anything!
The temperature in the room grows cold.
I suddenly start to feel sick to my stomach.
But he stands his ground.
Danny
You need to take a look at yourself, Alex.
Danny
Because that’s the only person you care about.
Danny
You don’t care about Kylie.
Danny
And you sure don’t care about me.
Danny sighs, running a hand over his head.
Danny
Kylie said she was done with you…
Danny
And right now, I am too.
Danny
But you need to start to treat me as a PERSON.
Danny
And until that happens…
I shift my feet awkwardly.
As I watch them stare each other down.
This thing between them is deep.
Deeper than my 1-month relationship with Alex.
Deeper than anything that happened between Alex and any girl.
I don’t have a right to be here.
And I didn’t have a right to stir up trouble between them.
I put a hand on my stomach…
But it does nothing to stop the churning.
I find myself looking at Danny.
And leave them both behind.
