I walk past her, making my way to the staircase. “Why are we here, Mom?” I ask, throwing my hands up in defeat.
I look over my shoulder and find her glaring at me with her hands on her hips.
“For the three of you—you know this. Now, answer my question.”
“I went to write, Mom,” I explain. “I can’t write in this house. I found a place in the forest.”
“The forest?” she barks out in disbelief. “Do you not understand how dangerous that is?” Her fingers pinch her nose. “What if you got in trouble? Who would be around to help you or even know you were in trouble?”
My jaw clenches. “I’m a big boy, Mom. Do you think other nineteen-year-old guys are calling their moms every single second and giving them updates on their lives?”
“I don’t care about other guys your age or how other mothers parent. All I care about is you,” she snarks back.
Why is she being so pushy today? She’s usually the chill one who understands when I need space.
“Why are you so mad, Ma?”
She walks toward me and points a finger in my chest. “Because you knew you had an online meeting with your father and agent today.” She pauses and gives me a sad look. “Why didn’t you come back on time?”
I try to interrupt, but she continues, “Don’t tell me you forgot because you never forget these things.”
She’s right. I never forget my meetings with the record label. But today, when I woke up, I didn’t want to look at my dad’s face. He’s a piece of shit. A piece of shit who only cares about the money and fame his children make. I can’t even stand to look in his black eyes that have no emotion in them.
He uses us, and I’m the only one who seems to care. I don’t like getting taken advantage of. One day, I won’t hold myself back from punching him in his face.
“Mom,” I sigh while running a hand down my face. “I don’t feel like talking about this right now. I’m sorry I missed the meeting, but I chose not to attend for a reason.” I turn around from her fuming body and walk up the stairs toward my bedroom.
“Leo,” she calls after me. “Leonidas Drakos!” I hear her yell when I slam my bedroom door shut.
Placing my forehead against the door, I let out a groan. I need a chick. Badly.
“Hey, dick,” I hear from behind me.
I turn in shock and immediately roll my eyes when I see Amelia and Elijah. Amelia is turning in my chair, and Elijah is lounging on my bed with his hands behind his head.
“Holy shit, you scared me.” I walk toward my bed and plop down beside Elijah.
“Why the hell didn’t you show up?” Amelia demands and jumps in the middle of us.
I shrug my shoulders and fold my hands together on my stomach. “I didn’t feel like it.”
“I don’t feel like showering sometimes, but I still do it,” Elijah remarks.
Amelia snorts and jabs her elbow into his ribs. “The two aren’t really the same thing.”
He scoffs. “Yes, attending a meeting and showering are responsibilities we have in life.”
“You shock me every day.” My tone drips with sarcasm as my fingers flick his temple.
He jumps from the sudden feeling and whines, “Leonidas, don’t! I’m sensitive.”
“Look,” I say, pushing my body up. I turn sideways and lean on my elbow. Facing the two, I give them a pointed look. “I was in the mood to write. When inspiration calls, there’s nothing I can do about it. Plus, you guys out of everyone should know I avoid Dad at all costs.”
“So, you left us to suffer alone?” Amelia shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “We’re a team.”
I look at the two and sigh when they don’t meet my gaze. I didn’t know they would be this upset over the fact that I missed one stupid meeting.
“I know you don’t like Dad, but none of us do—not even Mom anymore,” Elijah says, deep in thought. “She’s trying to divorce him, but he’s giving her a hard time. I see it on her face every day—the stress and pain. It kills me, but we have to be here for each other. That’s what families are all about.”
