“They’re stickier than superglue,” Amelia says, inching down further in her seat and crossing her legs.
Our old team’s torment online hasn’t let up. If anything, it’s only getting worse. Fay, who also works for Triple Threat, heard they’d been in contact with Trinity’s mom.
As if.
Not sure what they thought they could get out of her …
“This has been going on for months. Do you all know how you want to proceed?”
“You’re asking us?” I screw my face up at her.
“Of course.” Confused, she leans on one elbow and places her chin in her palm. “Why would I not value how you want to go about this?”
Well, this is new.
“Our old team didn’t give us any say.” I shrug my shoulders.
“They’re only part of your past now—thank God.” With a shake of her head, she sends us a small smile. “Now tell me, what do you want to do?”
“Nothing.” Leonidas’s word comes out bitterly.
Raising a brow, she repeats, “Nothing?”
“Adding fuel to fire doesn’t make it disappear; it only makes the flames taller.” Amelia turns to us. “We should just ignore it, let them be children.”
Leonidas nods. “Our true fans will know it’s all bullshit.”
“If that’s what you want, then that’s the route we’ll take. However, if this continues, I do suggest we take some action.” Fay rises from her seat. “That’s it for today. Don’t forget, you have a single releasing in a week. Promotion for that will be crazy, so buckle up.”
“Already strapped in.” Amelia winks.
When it’s just my siblings and me, we all start talking at once.
“I’m so thankful I’mnothinglike them.” Leonidas’s voice booms the loudest. Rubbing the back of his neck, he stresses, “What if we just pay them to shut their mouths?”
“Like we did with Dad?” Amelia shakes her head, annoyed. “That’s exactly what they want. More of our money.”
“I agree, Leonidas. We can’t just pay people off our whole lives. Especially if we’re innocent.”
He raps his knuckles on the table. “It’s one thing to come after us—I don’t give a shit. I draw the line when they try to run my girlfriend’s name in the dirt.”
“The world will always find ways to hurt people we love. We can’t avoid that.” Amelia reaches across the table and grabs one of his fists and squeezes.
“Do you know how much I hate myself whenever I see her upset because of the media?” He jumps out of his seat and paces the room. “She tries to play it off, except I see her. I’ve learned every signal that comes with all her emotions. She hides all her worries, only to avoid hurting me.”
“Are you going to let guilt eat you away? Or are you going to remember that she knew what this side of our lives would bring?” Amelia’s eyes glisten as she tracks his anxious body.
If I could take away my siblings’ pain, I would, in a heartbeat. Yet a big part of our career guarantees misconception and exploitation. I promised myself if I ever fell in love, I would never share my relationship with the world. I’d be damned if anyone tarnished an innocent life.
“I’m so excited!” Stella’s smile lights up the whole room as she dances on the spot.
Her brother, Levi, ruffles her hair with a chuckle as he walks by, carrying her dinner plate.
“Come here, missy. You need to eat.” He pushes her seat out and taps the cushion. “You can tell us what you’re excited about while you finishallyour food.”
“I want Lia to sit beside me,” she squeals, making a beeline to her brother, who’s currently rolling his eyes in mock annoyance.
“I would be honored.” Amelia rounds the corner with her own plate, looking just as happy as Stella.
