“Got it.” He sniffles a laugh before a firm and determined look crosses his face. “I heard Levi got footage of the fight. We’re using that recording against Dad. I don’t know how yet, but this was the last straw. I’m done.”
I know it’s serious when Elijah’s mad.
Nodding, I swallow tightly.
CHAPTER44
AMELIA
These past few days have run smoothly, like nothing ever happened with Dad at the studio. Even days after taking care of Elijah and seeing the temporary reminder of Dad’s anger on his skin, I don’t think Elijah and Leonidas are ready to form a plan with the evidence Levi gathered for us.
Elijah’s bruises are now fading into an ugly yellow color while Leonidas’s internal bruises, I’m sure, are still a dark shade of purple. He doesn’t talk much these days, making everyone on edge with worry. I made a mental note the morning after the fight to throw out every single pain medication I had in the house.
We’ve all come to the agreement that Mom can’t find out about the fight. She seems so happy in Toronto, living her best life with Trinity’s mom. How can we take that from her and fill her with worry? She’s done enough stressing in her life for us. I just want her to be happy.
But the good news is, Dad’s been avoiding the studio like we all have a disease. I honestly thought he would be back the next day, but he’s gone MIA. Thank God. I wonder if he feels any remorse after the stunt he pulled, but then I remember who he is and laugh at myself.
Silly little me and my hope.
Levi and I have been in contact several times a day, but since my siblings moved in, it’s harder to make an excuse to see him. So, texting and whispering on the phone at night will have to do for now. I’m scared that I catch myself thinking about him and what he must be doing throughout the day.
When I’m trying to lull myself to sleep, I picture him reading a bedtime story to Stella, and that slows down my anxious heartbeat until sleep takes over.
I think back on today, and it was a busy day. Trinity and I covered up Elijah’s bruises like pros since we had an interview scheduled for a morning talk show. We then had to drive all the way across town for a meet and greet, and then we had rehearsals. After the long day we had, we made sure to stop by our favorite Greek restaurant to order takeout.
But when we arrived back home, I found another bundle of flowers waiting for me at my doorstep with a full bag of my favorite flavor of Jolly Ranchers.
I wished I had been alone when I found Levi’s sweet, heartwarming reminders that he was here because Leonidas immediately thought someone was stalking me and wanted to throw everything out. I’m a terrible liar, but I was able to come up with something off the top of my head, and now, my flowers stand proudly in a vase beside my bed.
While I dump my side of tzatziki into my steaming hot rice and mix it together, I listen to my brothers playfully argue over who gets to eat what.
“We got enough food for everyone,” Trinity stresses at the two, filling Nala’s food bowl with her kibble.
“But Leonidas is stealing mine!”
“Yeah, because yours tastes better.” Leonidas flashes him a smile, stealing another piece of his gyro off his plate.
Elijah slaps Leonidas’s hand away, but he somehow still gets it in his mouth and chews around his smile.
Petting her dog’s head, Trinity walks over to the table. “You”—she points to her boyfriend with her souvlaki stick, making his smile disappear—“are a child.”
“Then, we have to break up.” Reaching over the table, he takes her stick and bites a piece of meat off of the stick, making Trinity’s mouth fall open in shock. “Because this”—he gestures between them—“is illegal then.”
“Someone, hold me back.” She winds her arms back and cracks her knuckles, pushing her zip-up hoodie to the floor, leaving her in nothing but her sports bra. “I’m ready to pounce.”
Laughing around the spoon in my mouth, I make no motion to stop her.
“You would let her attack me?” Leonidas gawks at me and Elijah. “Is there no such thing as family anymore?”
Dropping my spoon in my bowl, I reach over the table and squeeze his biceps. “I don’t think you would need our help.”
“You don’t know her like I do. She’s a savage,” he whispers like Trinity can’t hear a word he’s saying. “She’s an animal.”
She rolls her eyes at her boyfriend while zipping up her hoodie again. But as she sits in her chair beside me, I spot a small smile on her lips. “I’d better start eating before my food ends up on his face.”
After a few moments of silence, Elijah yells like a crazy toddler, “Food fight!”
Leonidas and I both yell, “No!”
