“I’m scared!” Milo shouts, his hand flying out from behind his head as he shakes his fist in the air. “You don’t know what that was like, I ruptured your fucking spleen and we were just goofing off. You had to have surgery.”
“And I never once blamed you Milo, none of us ever blamed you. And as you can see, I’m fine. But you have been punishing yourself ever since.” Ollie sits up. “You play football like it’s a fucking trial of not using your strength, just so you can make sure you have control over that part of yourself.”
I pull away from Milo, not wanting to be between them anymore. I don’t like that they’re fighting. I can’t believe their raised voices haven’t brought Ares or Dante up here.
As soon as I sit up Milo does as well, punching his fist into the bed as he does. “You don’t know that, nothing about our group is normal. And your ability could hurt us—if you caught the house on fire, we would all burn Ollie. There are always exceptions to the rule.”
“Jesus.” Ollie shakes his head in disbelief. “Yeah, and if you knocked down a wall and the roof fell in, that might hurt us too. But that’s not what I’m talking about Milo, and you know it.”
I ease toward the end of the bed,completelyuncomfortable with the conflict. My mother and I rarely ever fought. I always did as expected, and she’s never been a yeller. I don’t know what to do, or how to help de-escalate the situation. Should I go get Ares, or Dante?
“You want to know what I know?” Milo pauses. “I know it’s not fucking worth it to risk it.”
“Oh, but you can knock heads with a whole football team?” Ollie’s faceis drawn tight, his eyes fiercely narrowed on Milo. I could probably sneak out of the room without them even noticing. I take a step toward the door.
Milo throws his hands in the air. “Because I don’t give a shit about anyone on that field. I don’t have to worry about losing control. This,” Milo gesturesto me,proving he does in fact still know I’m here, then jabs his finger in Ollie’s direction, “makes me fucking crazy, I feel like I’m going to Hulk out. I can’t control my emotions with you two, either of you.”
“You are the only one that thinks you always need to be in control. Isn’t that what being in an Infinity is about? Having our abilities under control? Especially, nowthatwe have Laura?” Some anger melts out of Ollie’s voice, leaving him sounding drained and disappointed.
Milo opens his mouth like he might continue to argue, but Dante interrupts him, “That’s enough.” That’s all he says, two simple words.
My arms are crossed over my stomach as he walks overto meand wraps his arm around my back, guiding me from the room. Instead of watching where we’re going, he’s looking over his shoulder watching Ollie and Milo.
As soon as we’re downstairs, Dante takes a hold of my shoulders and looks at me. “Sorry we let that go on for so long with you there. We thought maybe this time it would be different.” Dante gives a shrug, his lips twisting.
“Yeah, it didn’t seem like the first time they had that conversation. It’s okay, Ijustdidn’t know what to say or do to help.”
“There’s nothing any of us can do. Milo will have to face his fear at some point. It would be better for everyone if that was sooner, rather than later,” Ares adds. I glance around Dante and see him sitting in a folding lawn chair, his laptop perched on his knees.
* * *
“Youdon’t need to get dressed here, we’ll get dressed at the venue,” Ollie informs me, pulling my garment bag out of the mostly empty closet.
“You’re already dressed,” I note, looking over his tartan patterned slacks and dark button-up shirt. He looks amazing, trendy, and hip.Ollie’s hair is pulled back, showing off the perfect symmetry of his face.
His light green eyes are dancing as he tells me, “Yeah, but I’m not getting my hair done and shit.”
“Ah, what?” I place my hands on my hips, this is the first I’ve heard of this nonsense.
“Please don’t be mad. Our moms wanted to do all the girly shit together.” Ollie gives me puppy dog eyes, his full lips in a sweet pout.
“I could punch you,” I growl, even though it’sclearlynot true. I’d be more prone to kiss him than anything else.
He lets a small smirkform on his mouth, but schools his features quickly. “You’re breaking my heart, Muenster.” Heactuallyholds his hand over his chest and has the nerve to pretend to sniffle.
“I’m gonna break something,” I grouse under my breath.
“You love me,” Ollie singsongs, proving he knows I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.
“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? I could have… I don’t know, prepared?” Now I’m the one pouting.
“The only thing you would have done would be freak out,” Ollie argues, his brows rising, daring me to challenge him. “It’s just some hair and makeup.” He at least looks apologetic when he delivers the rest of the news.
“Oliver,” I grit out.
He flees with my dress bag, not even looking back. “Leaving in five,” he calls over his shoulder as he makes his escape.
I continue to grumble under my breath, snatching my shoebox from the floor. “What if I don’t want my hair and makeup done, huh? Nobody even bothered asking me.”
