I raise my eyebrow at him as the plane takes flight.
“Butterflies are elegant, beautiful, and graceful. Showing fear and weakness only gives them power. Don’t give anyone that, okay?”
I nod, speechless at his kindness. “Should I call you Coach from now on?”
He shoots me a beaming smile. “Elijahwill do ormy bestest bestie in the world.”
“Nice try, Elijah.” I enunciate his name so he knows I’m not playing around. “You never ended up answering my question. What are you doing here?”
He scoffs, looking annoyed all of a sudden. “I think it’s fucking weird how people are treated so differently because of a curtain. I like being treated like a normal human rather than have someone ask me if I want a hot towel every hour.” He smiles warmly. “If you’re into that, you can take my seat. I’m fine with being by myself.”
Shivering at just the thought, I wave my hand. “Hard pass …” I trail off. “Plus, I haven’t even met Triple Threat and your siblings yet.”
“You know my siblings,” he corrects me. “Once we land, you’ll meet everyone. I made sure they put you on the same bus as me.” He sheepishly smiles when I send him a hard glance. “Don’t act like you don’t love me.”
I scowl. “I hate you.”
“I’ll let you keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep better.”
“I actually sleep like shit.” Insomnia has been one of my biggest struggles since the passing of my parents. Midday, I always feel my sleepiest; however, once two a.m. rolls around, I’m wide awake.
He pokes one of my under bags. “I could tell.”
I slap his finger away with a groan. “Go back to your seat, please and thank you.”
His knee hits mine as he manspreads, trying to make a point because he’s stubborn. “I’m staying right here, Sweet Cheeks.”
SEVENTEEN
ELIJAH
“This is much bigger than what I pictured in my head,” Lily whispers more to herself as she looks around our home on wheels for the next couple of months.
“Leonidas and Trinity, this is where you’re sleeping. Sorry, Elijah and Lily. I figured they’d get the double bed since they’re a couple.” Fay rushes through the bus, doing her own “eye inspection,” as she likes to call it. “Lily and Elijah, the two bunk beds are yours. Amelia is staying on Triple Threat’s bus because Levi wants her to stay with him. So, that just leaves the four of you in here.”
It boggled my brain, seeing our tour bus on our very first tour. I’d imagined the bus being small and cramped, the washrooms gross and claustrophobic. Back then my jaw certainly hit the floor when I saw a two-story bus. With an up-to-date kitchenette, a spacious living room, a perfect-sized bathroom, stairs leading to a second floor, where there were two bunk beds and another lounge area, our buses are amazing.
“Try to settle in. We’re leaving in ten!” Fay exclaims before running off the bus, leaving Lily, my brother, his girlfriend, and me alone.
I gesture to Lily, who lingers back. “Trinity, this is Lily, Stella’s teacher and my childhood best friend.”
I pull her arm gently with an encouraging smile, and she gives Leonidas and Trinity a small, tentative wave as she settles by my side.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” she says to Trinity, who’s beaming, before turning to Leonidas. “And you probably don’t remember me, but it’s nice to see you again.”
Lily and I don’t expect him to pull her into his arms in a warm embrace, yet he does.
“Of course I remember you. My brother was a miserable prick whenever he wasn’t around you. Thank God you’re back.”
“Give me her.” Trinity pushes in front of her boyfriend, and he staggers with widened eyes. “Hi, I’m Trinity, Leonidas’s girlfriend. I already know you’re awesome because Elijah is. I can’t wait to get to know you!” she says brightly, rolling back on her heels.
Since when is Trinity all bubbly and friendly?
What the fuck?I mouth to Leonidas.
Confused, he shrugs, shaking his head.
“You’ll probably want to take that back after being locked in a bus with me for months,” Lily muses.
