The boys understand she’s talking to them even though she doesn’t once break our heated gaze. Even though Amelia can’t see my bandmates, they nod.
“What?” I ask her, faking disinterest once we’re alone.
“What?” She gives me a look. “Did you seriously just ask me what? You provoked my brother. Why the hell would you do that?”
“Cause he’s fucking annoying,” I say simply.
She pinches her nose in frustration. “I find you annoying, but do you see me throwing my fists at you?”
“It would be quite funny if you—”
“You never stop,” she interrupts. “You always have something to say back.”
“Isn’t that how a conversation works?” I love that I’m getting under her skin.
“Why are you like this?” Her eyes roll.
“Like what?”
“So closed off. You act all tough, but I can see right through you.”
My eyes narrow at Amelia. “Don’t act like you know me—”
She interrupts, which makes my blood boil, “I’m not saying I know you and what goes on in that scary mind of yours. All I’m saying is, I have a brother exactly like you. I know who he is deep down. And you guys just beat the shit out of each other.”
Just what I need, someone trying to mend me together.
“I don’t need a therapist. And I’m nothing like your brother. Don’t insult me like that,” I urge her with a firm voice.
Pursing her lips, she nods. Looking over my shoulder, she avoids my gaze. “Says the guy with such a nasty mouth that he brought my vagina into an argument for no apparent reason. You hide behind your insults and sneers. You don’t fool me, not one bit. So, find another tactic.”
Understand me?
That’s some Disney shit right there.
I shake my head and turn away from her body. “Don’t say shit like that. You’re nothing to me. You never will be, so stop acting like it.”
Walking past her body, I flinch when I feel her warm skin against my coolness. I don’t dare turn around when I hear her angelic voice.
“I get that we hate each other—we have for years—and that isn’t going to change anytime soon, but all this arguing needs to be toned down. We’re all adults here. Can’t we just go on with our day without bickering all the time?”
The tiredness in her voice makes me pause because I feel drained too. There is nothing I would love more than not having to see her brothers every day, but her? I love our bickering. It makes me feel something other than the pain in my chest.
“There’s nothing I want more than that, but it takes two to get along,” I admit, not turning toward her as I tense up at the feeling of her hand on my shoulder.
She sighs. “I’ll try to talk some sense into my brother if you’ll do the same with Axel and Rowan. And let’s try to avoid each other as much as possible while you’re here.”
That’s going to be hard since we’re sharing the same studio and it seems that we have the same schedules. I nod as my reply, and she releases me from her hold.
“I just want to tell you one more thing. You’re at the very top of my dick list.”
I can’t help but laugh and stand in place like an idiot as I hear her soft footsteps retreat in the opposite direction. A couple of seconds later, Axel and Rowan walk back into the room. Their steps are hesitant, and obvious concern is apparent on their faces.
“Wanna talk about it?” Rowan asks.
I give him a look, and he mutters, “He doesn’t want to talk about it.”
* * *
