“I don’t?” He pushes his hood off his head while leaning forward. “I know people would do anything for fame and money, and hasn’t he already used my sister for hype?”
My mouth drops open in shock as I stare at my brother. Levi somehow remains silent, keeping his jaw locked with a glare pointed at Leonidas.
“Are we living in the same world? All of us know our fake relationship wasn’t his idea or mine. It was forced upon both of us. Don’t act like a dick, Leonidas.”
He moves his head back, shocked at my words. “How do you know that he didn’t suggest the idea?”
Throwing my hands up, I groan, “You’re acting like a child.”
“It’s okay.” Pushing off the wall, Levi motions to his bandmates to stand up. “Let him run his mouth. Says more about his insecurities than it does about me.”
Axel and Rowan smirk as they now stand at his side.
When Leonidas’s frown turns into a full-on glare and he moves to stand, Trinity pushes him back down on the couch by shoving his chest. His girlfriend’s touch seems to calm him.
Levi looks over darkly at me. “I’m getting Stella from your room.”
I nod once, and it takes everything in me not to follow him. I stare, dumbfounded, at the ground, not glancing up when Levi appears again with his sleeping sister in his arms and even when the door slams shut behind him.
Well, that was more horrible than I’d anticipated.
A few seconds later, Leonidas storms up the stairs, and I flinch when I hear his old bedroom door shut loudly.
“Well, that went well,” Trinity jokes, clapping her hands together with a frown.
I give her a pointed look as I pinch my nose in frustration. How can a day be so horrible? I just want to go to sleep because at least when I’m not awake, I don’t feel anything.
“I think you guys make a cute couple,” Elijah suddenly croaks out from behind me.
Turning quickly, surprised that he’s awake, I drop onto my knees in front of where he lies and stare into his tired eyes. Tired eyes that try more than anything to show happiness. To make everyone else around him okay as he drowns in sorrow.
“What did you say?” I whisper, focusing on both of his bruised eyes and lips.
My eyes burn at the sight. He’s my little brother. I don’t care if we’re just minutes apart. I should’ve protected him. But I never would’ve thought I would need to protect him fromfamily.
“You make a cute couple.” He raises his scratchy voice. Even at a time when he shouldn’t be smiling at all, he somehow manages to send me a small, comforting one. When he sees the confused look on my face, he explains, “I saw him kiss you at the door when he first came. Don’t worry; no one else saw. I’m the only one who has a perfect view of the door.”
My eyebrows frown, and Trinity sits by Elijah and kisses his forehead.
“I thought you were sleeping. And you’re not mad that we’re dating?”
“I was sleeping, but for a while, I was pretending.” He laughs, then winces and touches his side. “And, no, I’m not mad. I told you I just want you to be happy.”
“Are you sure?” I whisper, tears brimming in my eyes, as I feel so defeated yet so filled with the positive energy that rolls off of Elijah.
Gripping my hand, he squeezes. “I’m positive, and the more you ask me, the more I’ll scream my answer. But I’m not feeling well, so please don’t make me mad.”
I scrunch my face down at him, and he does the same before realizing his mistake.
“Ow, fuck,” he whines, touching his bruised left eye.
“How are you feeling?” Trinity asks, brushing back his light-brown hair from his forehead.
“Could be better, but I’ll be okay. Does this mean I’ll have you guys running around the house, acting like my maids for a couple of days?”
I would flick his face if he wasn’t injured.
“Soak being a couch potato for as long as you can,” Trinity answers for the both of us.
