“I can assure you, we are not scared,” Leonidas says, sounding angrier than he should have.
Rolling back her shoulders with confidence, Amelia interrupts, “Parties as big as this one are just a bit overwhelming—that’s all.”
The redhead, who screams mean-girl energy, takes Amelia’s hand in hers. “I totally understand you. I feel the need to talk to everyone here, but that’s not possible.”
Because she’s the type of person in Hollywood who is more of a leech than a human. Sticking to anything that has money and sucking all wealth and life out of them, and the more people she talks to, the more opportunities arise.
“Normally, we linger on the sidelines.” Amelia’s smile falters. Stealing the glass in my hand, she downs it in one mouthful. Reaching past me, she hands the empty glass back to a grumpy but polished-looking Leonidas.
“I can’t imagine how tired you must be feeling. With the ongoing tour and the legal battle, you must not have any time to wind down.”
I smell bullshit.
I wouldn’t put it past our old record label to set up a microphone on this girl to catch us saying anything that could tarnish us in court.
“We are not speaking about that matter.” Amelia, who is hard to piss off, sends her a firm glance.
The girl’s shoulders tense up. Is her usual facade trying to rip its way through this fake one?
“I wasn’t snooping, just stating something obvious.”
Leaning back casually on the wall, Leonidas sneers, “Bye. Have a good night.”
Right as she turns and leaves with a glare, her middle finger shines in this low-lit venue.
“There it is; she’s finally showing us her true colors.” My older brother chuckles under his breath.
I can tell he’s already thinking of leaving.
“That’s only music to our ears.” Amelia watches the girl disappear into the crowd, dancing. “It’s just more evidence for us.”
“And it seems the judge is siding with us,” I point out. “All we need is to lead this case with honesty and passion.”
Leonidas pushes off the wall and beelines for the open bar. “You guys are driving me to drink.”
Everyone thinks Leonidas is this grumpy, hardened guy. In reality, he is the biggest drama king I have ever encountered.
“I forgot to say, you look absolutely stunning in your suit,” I call out to his back, and I’m met with a held-up fist.
“It’s like watching our child walk into kindergarten for the first time.” Amelia twirls her curly blonde hair around a perfectly manicured finger. “Should we start putting him on a leash? What if he gets lost in the sea of vultures?”
“It’s packed like sardines in here; he won’t go far.”
Following him with my pristine eyesight, I see as he moves around the room, avoiding any social interaction. Head high, mouth pulled into a frown, the man looks like a walking Doberman in a suit.
“Levi and I are thinking of buying a home.” Amelia’s voice is above a whisper.
Shocked at the sudden news, I twist around and take her into my arms. “That’s amazing, Lia! Tell me about it.”
I see her giant smile when she pulls back.
“It’s just a ten-minute drive from your place in the cutest little gated neighborhood. It has a white picket fence, with a flower garden to die for, and the yard is amazing for Stella. You should see it; it’s huge!”
My heart hurts. Not because I’m sad for my sister, but because life is so drastically different. We are not the naive kids we used to be when we signed with our first record label. From arguing about who has shotgun to who eats the last cookie—that’s the past. Now I’m thinking about how far of a drive we are from each other’s houses.
We’re fucking adults. When the hell did that happen?
“I’m so happy for you. Are you going to put in an offer?”
