Every Christmas our whole family gathers at Pa’s house. I used to wait for that day when I was living there. Only on my birthday and Christmas would Zoan come there. This year, though, he didn’t come on my birthday.
Now Leo, Zoan and I are going there in the chopper. I tug on Zoan’s forearm, he leans closer to me.
“Why didn’t you come on my birthday this year?” I ask.
“Because he was afraid you would see the Romeo leaking fromhim,” Leo replies.
I look at Zoan. He shakes his head. “Your condition was not good, so I was afraid I would not be able to stop myself from bringing you along.”
“Same thing,” Leo yawns.
“And why did you used to stay only for two hours?”
“Do you have to ask all these stupid questions in front of me? I’m feeling embarrassed for you.”
I glare at Leo. But he’s looking out the window.
Zoan leans close to my ear. “I was not capable of keeping control for more than two hours,” he whispers.
A smile tugs at my lips. He kisses under my ear.
“God, why do I have peripheral vision?” Leo mutters.
I narrow my eyes. He is such a mood killer. Zoan sits up straight in his seat.
Leo looks between us lazily. “Practice staying at arm’s length at least for today. I don’t want my Christmas decorated with family drama.”
“Leo, whose side will you take once our family finds out about us?” I ask.
“I don’t take sides. I’ll enjoy watching Uncle beat Zo, and then I’ll take him to the hospital.”
I roll my eyes at his bullshit. He’s only saying this now, but everyone knows when Zoan gets hit, he loses his shit.
I hug Zoan’s arm and rest my head on his shoulder. Maybe I can take a short nap. He kisses the top of my head, making me smile.
How could I even think about taking a nap when Leo is here?
“It’s on New Year’s Eve. Want to participate?”
I open my eyes and see a car race poster or something on Leo’s phone, which is now in Zoan’s hand. I lean in to peek at it properly. It’s organized along with a New Year’s party. I look up at Zoan, he meets my eyes.
“Can I also join you for this party? I’ve never attended a normal people’s party.”
All the parties I’ve attended in my life have either been at our house or at our relatives’ houses, and in those parties, I always spent my time with my girls. We live in our own bubble, away from the public, dancing, singing, and talking in our private space, far from the crowd. Our families always arrange a private room for us where no one else is allowed. We can meet other people if we want, but that’s the point—only if we want to.
“Alright,” he says.
“What do you mean alright? You can’t say yes to her every demand. Have you forgotten there’s a man out there who wants to torture her?” Leo gives a big mocking smile at his last sentence.
“It’s in San Diego, and she’ll stay with me the whole time,” Zoan replies calmly.
Leo shrugs. “I’m just reminding you. Don’t come crying to me later when someone steals your dove.”
Zoan glares at him.
“He won’t come after me.” Both of them look at me. “The kidnapper. I don’t think he wants to kidnap me now.”
“And why do you have such optimistic thoughts?” Leo asks.
