“Movie night with Jade and anyone else who wants to join. Not for a couple hours now, though. Gotta wait for the little ones to go to bed. I’m more excited for the snacks than the movie this time, though. Martha made ice cream and my sweet tooth has been on a rampage high lately. I feel like a pregnant lady—except I want Oreos and peanut butter cups in my ice cream, not pickles. Although pickles are good too.”
I laugh at his description and feel comfortable enough to lie back, my hair spreading out underneath me.
“I’m going to have some sweets later,” I mention with a grin. “Grigory madesharlotka, it’s an apple cake I used to really like as a girl. And chocolate cake, that’s Nadya’s favorite.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for future bribery,” he quips. “And I’ll have to try this apple cake of yours sometime, too. If you like it, it must be good.”
My stomach feels warm at the suggestion.
After a moment, he asks, “Has it been enough time to ask about Nico?”
I laugh at his sudden change in topic and shake my head.
“Yes, it’s been long enough.” I take a deep breath, ready to explain the full story. “So, about your brother…”
Chapter Thirty-One
Matteo
Two Weeks Later
Anya has only been home for twelve days and already she has me panicking. Aside from one text message, she hasn’t talked to me at all today—and it’s nearly mid afternoon. That hasn’t happened once since we became friends, save for the time she spent in inpatient care.
Anya
Having a bad day today, might not be able to call later.
She messaged me so early in the morning that I didn’t reply until two hours later, and she hasn’t even read my messages. I may have gone a bit overboard, texting her four different times throughout the day, but I couldn’t help it. She’s been unresponsive for too long, so it’s time for me to call in the big guns.
I need help making sure Anya is okay before I lose my mind.
Only, when I go searching for my father, his office is empty. He isn’t anywhere else in the house that I can find him, and a large part of me is starting to panic. I’m pacing in the hall outside of his office when my text to him to ask where he is goes unanswered as well.
“Are you having some kind of breakdown?” Apollo calls out through his open office door. He’s packing up the last of his shit to move it into his new house—a mini mansion of his own built in the back yard.
I was glad to see the construction being done these past few months, elated that Rayna is taking him out of the house now that they’re married. He’s a pain in my ass, and his snarky taunt while he notices I’m in distress is the perfect example of Apollo being Apollo.
“Fuck you,” I huff, dragging a hand down my face. “Where’s Dad?”
“Out.”
Completely useless information.
“Goddamnit,” I hiss, frantically typing another text. I don’t talk to whatever God may be out there often, but right now, I’m fucking praying that Anya will respond.
Matteo
I’m freaking out over here, Anya. Please message me back.
“Out where?” I ask, eyes lifting back up at Apollo with what’s probably a pathetically pleading look. “When’s he coming back?”
“He went to see Emilio,” he replies, not at all sounding concerned for my panicked state. “Is there a reason you look like you’re going to pass out and break your phone from holding it so tight?”
“Like you give a shit.” Ignoring his comment, I start pacing again. I need to do something and moving back and forth in this hallway is all I can manage. I’m seconds away from saying fuck it and getting on a plane to California without permission.
“Spare me the dramatics,” Apollo snaps, pulling my attention from my phone. Still no response. “Tell me what has you so worked up. If Dad can help you, you know I can too. You’re stressing me the fuck out with all your pacing. So, what is it?”
I stare at him for a moment, trying to see if he actually wants to help me. Blowing out a heavy sigh, I decide that I don’t have a better option. Apollo may be a stiff, boring jerk, but he’s a problem solver, and he loves to make everyone love him. Maybe his perfectionism will come in handy right now.
