Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
“Look, Glitter, if you’re not showing up, you need to let us know sooner. We’re already short this week.”
The phone feels heavy in my hand, weighing me down as I respond to the manager on the other end. “I’m letting you know now, aren’t I?” My gaze flicks to Koen, who arches his brow skeptically from where he sits at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee.
Shifting uncomfortably in my chair, I turn away from his penetrating gaze and explain hurriedly, “I’m sorry, but I got hurt. I need a week at most. But I’ll be back.”
My manager doesn’t respond right away, and when I chance a glance at Koen, his lips twitch, and I know exactly what he’s thinking without him having to say a damn thing. He thinks I need a longer break.
I narrow my eyes at him because what I need is not to lose my job.
Or to be dependent on anyone but myself.
The manager finally lets out a huff. “Fine. But you better call before next week if you can’t make it. We’re not holding spots.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I mutter in agreement, fixing my gaze on the empty plate in front of me.
Koen made an early dinner of mac and cheese that was so good I’m tempted to lick the plate clean as soon as I’m off this phone call.
All that’s left from our meal now is a lone breadstick, golden and perfect, and it’s calling to me.
Koen stands with his empty coffee cup in hand and reaches for my plate with a pointed look, but I’m faster. I snatch the breadstick off it, holding it protectively like a prize, and glare at him.
Mine.
“Thank you, you’ll hear from me soon,” I say into the phone, cutting her off mid-rant about my no-shows and hanging up before she can respond. I slam my phone down and bite into the breadstick at the same time, letting out a satisfied hum when the buttery, garlicky goodness melts in my mouth.
Koen puts my plate into the dishwasher, closes it, and then leans against it, smiling lazily at me. “You looked done.”
“Not with this.” I take another pointed bite.
Levi chuckles softly from where he’s also sitting at the table, scrolling through his phone while Pebble appears to doze on his shoulder. Ezra’s beside him, absently spinning a pen between his fingers.
“Is there a reason you didn’t tell them you’d need more than a week?” Koen casually asks as he pushes off the counter and walks back to the table.
I bristle at his tone. “Because I don’t know what next week looks like. And because I’m not planning on being here forever.”
Koen’s smile fades, and he stops in his tracks. “Novalee—”
Fuck, it’s so strange hearing my name out of his mouth. Hearing it from all of them, really.
“Don’t,” I warn, pointing the breadstick at him like a sword.
“I’m not discussing this.” His jaw works for a moment like he’s fighting the urge to argue, but he sits back down in his chair instead, watching me with that assessing look that makes my skin crawl.
“I’m not going to lose my job because of this,” I add defensively.
I’m still not one hundred percent sure where I’ll end up when all of this is over.
Koen’s gaze softens as if he can truly hear my thoughts, but before he can argue, Ezra pipes up from the counter, “How about we table that discussion until we survive the dinner tomorrow.”
I groan as I drag my free hand over my face. “Don’t remind me. I’m trying not to think about it.”
“Good luck with that,” Levi mutters. “I tried to block it out, but I know Veronica’s got something up her sleeve. She always does.”
The room falls quiet, and I shove the rest of the breadstick into my mouth, chewing slowly.
When I woke up in Sylus’s bed—alone—it was already early evening.
I’d slept the night and half the next day away, and after a quick audit of my body, it seemed all Sylus did was sleep next to me.
Eventually, I managed to get up and take a shower, and the moment I came down, Koen wordlessly put a plate of the best damn food in front of me as if he knew exactly when I’d arrive. And how hungry I’d be.
And what I needed.
Sylus strolls into the kitchen, his footsteps light as he stops behind me, pressing a kiss to my temple. His lips linger for a second longer than they need to, a reminder of what I could have. “Good morning, Sparkle baby.”
“It’s evening.”
“Not for you, sleepyhead,” he counters, his fingers brushing lightly through my hair. The motion is so gentle it makes my shoulders relax automatically. “I’ll head out to grab your stuff. Anything in particular you need?”
I turn in my seat to look at him, raising an eyebrow. “Why would you do that?”
“Because you’re staying with me.” His grin is utterly shameless. “At least for a while, until you’re feeling better.”
“Stop that shit,” I grumble, shooting him a glare, but there’s no real heat in it. “I’m fine.”
“For me?” he asks pleadingly, his pout too tender to fight against.
I sigh as my resistance crumbles. “I need a lot of fucking shit,” I admit. “For that god-awful dinner, I’ll need my makeup, and… shit, I don’t even know what to wear to a fancy-ass place like that.”
Koen snorts. “It’s a trap, not a dinner.”
“I still want to look appropriate for the trap,” I argue, ignoring his answering smirk. “Can I wear one of the dresses you bought me?”
“No, the fuck?” Levi cuts in. “Of course not. We’re not wearing the same dress twice. What are we? Peasants?”
“Yeah, well, not everybody has the money to buy a new dress for every occasion,” I say bitingly, glaring at him.
“Good thing we’re not everybody, then.” Levi gives me an incredulous look. “Can you give me free rein to go get you a better wardrobe? Trust me. You’ll thank me.”
“What? No. I just need something to wear for that dinner. Otherwise, I’m fine, Dove.”
I frown, realizing his nickname feels strange after our blow-up yesterday. He doesn’t seem mad anymore, but there’s still a nagging doubt in the back of my mind. Maybe he’s looking for an excuse to buy me something ridiculous out of spite.
I wouldn’t put it past him.
Crossing my arms over my chest as a last line of defense, I sigh. “I’ll wear the black dress from your birthday again.”
Koen raises an eyebrow. “That’s way too much for a simple dinner, even if it is a nice restaurant.”
“Oh, now you’re critiquing my wardrobe?” I shoot back. “Big talk coming from you.”
Koen chuckles at my sass, and damn if it doesn’t do things to my heart. “Let him get you a dress. He’s good at it.” He turns his pretty face to his brother with a pointed look. “And one dress, Dove. Just one.”
“Perfect!” Levi claps his hands excitedly, waking Pebble up before standing and grabbing Ezra’s wrist, pulling him to his feet. “Come on, Ezy baby, we’re going shopping.”
Ezra looks at me with a mixture of dread and pleading, and I have to suppress a laugh at the sheer misery in his eyes as Levi drags him toward the door.
I’m still watching them go when Sylus catches my face in his hands and kisses me.
It’s playful at first with light brushes against my lips, then it suddenly deepens into something that sends sparks racing through me.
When he finally pulls back, I’m a little breathless, and his grin is utterly smug as he asks, “Anything else you need?”
I blink, taking a moment to recover and process his question. “I don’t know… casual stuff.” I look down at the sweatpants and a shirt I’m wearing of his again. “And if you’re okay with me wearing your stuff to sleep—”
“Baby,” Sylus chuckles, cutting me off. “You can have all of my stuff, but honestly, sleep naked. Makes shit easier.”
Koen makes a disgruntled noise as he shoots Sylus a look full of silent reprimand.
“Ha-ha, fucker,” I mutter, making Sylus laugh harder.
“I’ll bring a little of everything,” he promises, stepping back. “And if I miss something, I’ll go again.”
“I can go get my stuff,” I protest. “I’m not bedridden or anything.”
Sylus shakes his head. “Nope. But you are hurt.”
“It’s a graze,” I argue. “It’s not that bad.”
He leans in again, brushing his lips against my forehead this time. “You stay here and relax for today, okay? I’ll be back, Sparkle.” There’s so much care wrapped in his words that it’s hard to keep arguing with him.
I watch him leave, then I turn to Koen. “And you?” I ask, raising a brow. “Are you going to mother hen me too?”
Koen leans back in his chair, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Of course I am.” I groan dramatically in response as he stands up from his seat. “We should go have a nap.”
“I just woke up. I’m not tired.”
“How about we go to my room and hang out for a bit? Listen to some music?”
I hesitate, the idea tempting but not quite enough to help with my anxiety. “Talking strategy for tomorrow’s dinner would be nice,” I admit. “I have no idea what the hell we’re doing.”
“Course,” he agrees as he holds out his hand. “Let’s do that.”
His brown eyes hold me hostage as I slide off the chair. Then he smiles, and I return it automatically as he tugs on my hand and guides me upstairs.
Koen’s room smells like him—warm spices, vanilla, and safety, all of it wrapping around me the moment I step inside.
The space is calm, tidy, and composed. There’s also a quiet elegance to it, the dark tones, black and deep grays, so different from the chaotic mess of my apartment.
There’s a computer set up in one corner, shelves packed with books, cookbooks mostly, and picture frames arranged thoughtfully on surfaces. It’s cozy in a way I wasn’t expecting.
Just like him.
One of the frames on his bookshelf catches my attention, and I brush past him and pick it up.
A beautiful girl with dark hair and eyes stands between two younger versions of the twins.
They’re identical here—no blond hair or piercings to set Levi apart, no beard on Koen to distinguish him.
They all look so happy, and it makes my heart constrict painfully.
“This is Rose?”
Koen’s bare arm brushes against mine as he looks at the photo. “Yeah.”