“Stella,” I yell into the empty apartment.
Nora comes barreling down the hallway with her finger to her lips. “She’s sleeping. I just got her down for her nap on the couch.”
A part of me is happy she put her down because Stella fights sleep. However, another part of me just wanted to talk to my little sister.
“Thanks, Nora.” I nod, dropping my backpack to the ground. “Did she give you any trouble?”
“Not at all. She’s an angel. But she does hate sleeping,” Nora says, gathering her stuff to leave.
“Makes sense. She’s my girl, so she’s a fighter.”
Smiling over at me, she pulls on her sneakers. “That’s the truest thing I’ve heard all day.”
Walking over to the kitchen and opening the fridge, I grab a water bottle and chug down two painkillers. I’m definitely feeling the fight now. My bones ache, and I’m so tired that I feel like I’ll drop to the floor any second.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Same time?”
Nodding at her, I give her a thumbs-up. “Same time, same place.”
Watching her leave, I lock the door behind her, and then I find myself in the living room, looking down at my sleeping sister. She’s under what looks like a warm blanket. Wavy brown locks spread around her on the pillow, making her look like an angel.
Pulling the blanket aside, I settle beside her. It’s like, even deep in sleep, she knows I’m near as her tiny body folds into mine. Placing my head beside hers on the pillow, I close my eyes and breathe in the relaxing smell of Stella.
CHAPTER12
AMELIA
“Mom, it’s been a week,” Leonidas grumbles, slouching in his chair. “You’re seriously still mad at me because of the fight?”
Pointing at him with a spoon, she scolds him with a frown, “I’ve taught you that fighting is never a good way to show anger. Why do you keep acting like a child?”
He shakes his head, clearly annoyed. “Most guys my age keep things from their mothers, Mom. Be glad we’re close.”
Walking over to him, she waves the spoon right in his face, making him narrow his eyes at her weapon while slightly leaning back. “That’s no excuse. No one deserves to get hurt. You, out of all people, should know this, Leonidas.”
Elijah interrupts with a laugh. “Mom, you, out of all people, should know Leonidas can’t control his temper for shit.” He slaps the counter and snorts.
Leonidas glares at our brother. “Are you not going to slap him with that, Mom?” he asks, nodding to the wooden spoon.
Trinity and I glance over at one another and smirk. These two are huge, macho men until they’re home, and then they become big babies.
“Elijah is my baby boy,” she swoons.
Cradling his head to her chest, she kisses Elijah’s forehead as he scrunches his eyebrows. But knowing Mom can’t see his face, he sticks his tongue out at Leonidas.
Leonidas gives him the finger in response, and Mom catches him right when he’s about to drop his hand.
“Leonidas Drakos! Don’t make me tape that finger down.”
Throwing his hands up in the air, he lets out a breath. “As a mom, you’re not supposed to have a favorite child. I’m feeling very unliked right now.”
Releasing Elijah from her hold, she walks over to a glaring Leonidas. “My love, I love you all equally. Some days, I have to admit, I get along with one out of the three of you more.”
“Hate to break it to all of you, but I’m actually her favorite,” Trinity notes from beside me while flipping through a paperback. “I know—quite awkward.”
Everyone knows the oldest is always the favorite, but I don’t point that out.
Leonidas’s lips twitch. “Better you, babe, than Elijah.”
