Chapter Three
KYRA
I hold my breath. Hesitant for a split second before I recover and smile. It’s small, then grows to spread across my face. The smile isn’t fake; of course, I’m happy to see him. I’m elated! More than that, though, I’m fucking shocked.
It’s been four years since I’ve set my eyes on Ares Drakos. I was seventeen the last time. That… well, that was a lifetime ago. I’m not the same person I was back then; I’m sure we both aren’t.
Ares looks different. The last time I’d seen him, his face was still smooth and boyish. Forever in faded band tees and swim trunks that hung low on his hips. His olive skin was always tan from preferring to spend time outside and exploring.
Now, standing across the room. I hardly recognize him. It’s him. But not. His brownish-blonde hair is longer at the top, tousled in an effortless way that looks deliberate. A full beard frames his strong jaw. He’s dressed in dark denim jeans, black boots that look worn yet well loved, and a leather jacket that looks like it was made especially for him.
His mom is the first to envelop him in a hug. She rushes across the room. “My baby!” Selene is nearly a foot shorter than him, and she’s taller than me. “All my babies under one roof. Please tell me you’re going to be here for a while.”
Ares chuckles. “I’ve got some work to do too, but I’ll be here until the day after the party.”
His voice is deeper. It’s husky and warm in a way that reminds me of a smooth bourbon. I’m so distracted by the sound, it doesn’t register what he says right away.
The party? MY PARTY?
His eyes meet mine over Selene’s head, and they widen slightly before narrowing.
My smile lowers, softening slightly. I don’t know why I thought things would be different if I ever saw him. The hatred in his dark eyes is as clear as the last time I saw him. It’s been years, and he still hates me for something he refuses to talk about—the reason he hates me.
When his mother finally releases him, Ares goes to shake my father’s hand, but is pulled in for a hug. The men smile at one another.
“Your nieces will be happy to see you,” Apollo starts. “Cora is taking a nap and Daphne is getting Elena ready for bed. She’ll be excited her favorite uncle is here.” He laughs. They both do.
Her favorite uncle? Does that mean he visits his brother regularly? If he’s doing that, I can assume he talks to Selene regularly. So, it’s just me he doesn’t care to have a relationship with. Great.
“I’m excited to continue spoiling them.” Ares walks up to me. “Kyra.” His smile is strained; it doesn’t reach his baby blue eyes.
He pulls me in for a hug and I’m gobsmacked. I hug him back. Is this where things change? Is this how we move past whatever happened?
“It’s good to see you, Ares.” I breathe in his cologne. It’s different from what I’d imagined, not that I thought about it.
I was expecting something clean and crisp, similar to whatever my dad and Apollo use. Whatever Ares uses, it’s darker. Like cedar or sandalwood and leather-bound books. He smells like an old library filled with hidden secrets.
“Yeah?” He questions, his voice lowering. I feel his breath near my ear before he continues. “The feeling isn’t mutual. Let’s just stay out of each other’s way the best we can.”
A gasp escapes me before I can stop it. I wish I could keep up the mask he seems to hide so well, but I’m more than confused. Whatever it was I did, I need to fix it. I need to fix us. We were close once. I know there are six years between us, but it didn’t seem like it mattered when I was younger. He’d been my friend before he’d been my stepbrother.
“You’re just in time for dinner,” Selene announces as she leads the way out of the entryway. “It’ll be ready soon.”
“Sounds great, Mom.” Ares says as they all walk towards the living area.
I hesitate before moving around the corner in the opposite direction, my feet quickly taking the stairs. I just need a few minutes. A few minutes in my room to collect myself and come up with a plan. I have one week to get Ares to be my friend again.
Once I’m in the safety of my room, I pull out my phone. I need help.
Me: You’ll never guess who just walked inside the doors of the beach house.
It doesn’t take but a few seconds before the dots flash across the screen to show she’s seen my message and is responding.
Beth: The one we were just discussing
Me:
Beth: This is perfect! We were just talking about how you needed help with a certain something.
I know she’s going to dance around the subject. To be fair, I wouldn’t want the evidence on my phone either. If I can find my way into this secret society, I’ll be set. I may not know much about it, but I know it’s just the type of thing I need to make connections for after college.
Me: He pretty much told me he hated me and we should stay out of each other’s way. So, I need help with a plan.
Beth: Why does he hate you? Did you do something to piss him off?
Me: That’s the thing…
Me: I don’t know what happened. At one point, everything was fine. Then, a switch flipped and he hated me.
Beth: How long will he be there for?
Me: Apparently until the day after my birthday party.
Beth: Wait… so he came for your party?
Me: I think he’s letting his mom think that. She’s been wanting him to come around more often. He’s not here to see me. He’s different.
Beth:
Beth: Elaborate. Please.
Me: He just looks different. You like to go off of energy, right? Well, his energy is different.
Beth: Guuuurrrrl!!! Do you still have a crush on him?
I gasp, then shake my head before responding.
Me: No. I’ve never had a crush on him.
Beth: Oh, please. I saw the looks you gave him when we were growing up. You thought he hung the moon. It was always Ares this and Ares that.
Me: Whatever
Beth: The 90s want their slang back.
Me:
Beth:
She’s crazy. I never had a crush on him. Well, maybe a tiny one. The tiniest! He’s six years older than me. I only thought he was cute when I was younger. It’s not like that, though. We’ve always just been friends. I looked up to him. It was nothing.
Beth: You didn’t tell me he studied the same thing you are?
Me: What are you talking about?
Beth: I guess this is my fault. As your best friend, I didn’t dig deep enough on the internet before.
Me: Same question.
Beth: I just found his socials. History and art. He’s the Chief Curator for DGE.
Drakos Global Enterprises. It’s their family business. Apollo is the CEO. I don’t bother to stay up to date with what the company does, because it’s not my business.
Beth: He studied history. Just like you are. He’s an art curator. You love art. He travels regularly. Just like you want to.
Me: I know he travels. He does a lot of the traveling. Daphne has mentioned it before. How Ares does most of the traveling for the family business so Apollo doesn’t have to.
Beth: Aww
Me: What?
Beth: Well, don’t you have a new baby niece?
Me: Yeah.
Beth: That’s a kind brother move. He obviously cares about family more than you realize. If he’s willing to constantly be on the move so Apollo doesn’t have to be away from his wife and kids.
I guess I never put much thought into it before. I assumed Apollo asked Ares to, so he wouldn’t miss out on things. Is it possible Ares suggested it?
Me: Okay. How does this help me figure out how to fix whatever happened?
Beth: Do I really need to spell it out for you?
Me: Clearly
Beth: There are a couple of options here:
Beth: Option one - Lean into the common interest. You’re a history major and I know you’ve been stressing on some paper. Use your common interest to your advantage.
Beth: Option two - family matters. You love spoiling those little nieces. You talk about them enough. I know family matters to you too. So, make sure you’re spending that quality time.
Me: What if it doesn’t work?
Beth: I’ll be there in two days, we will come up with a new plan. I will come and lay out on the deck with you and we will figure it out.
Me: I do love my little nieces. They’re the cutest.
Beth: Exactly. You’re not going to be doing anything out of the ordinary. Be yourself. Maybe something happened and it was all a misunderstanding. You’re a good person and he’s lucky to have you as part of his family.
Beth: Wait, he’s okay with your dad right?
Me: Yes! They hugged and laughed like they see each other regularly.
Beth: Okay. So the plan is just be yourself and I will be there in two days to help you come up with something if you being yourself doesn’t help. We just need him to see you as not a pain in the ass. I’m just assuming here.
Me: Noted
Me: I’m going to get back down there. Dinner is about to be ready. Let the family bonding commence.
Beth: See, you’ve got this! Love you.
Me: Love you too.
I place my phone next to my laptop on the desk, then glance up at the mirror. The old vanity style desk, with its worn edges, has witnessed more than its fair share of my highs and lows—and countless moments of psyching myself up.
Like now.
As I meet my own gaze, I take a moment to truly take myself in. I’m dressed in my typical shades of pink and white. The added layer of comfort, a navy blue lightweight sweater, feels a bit like armor. I hope the only coolness I feel this evening is from the breeze rolling across the ocean. I kept my face bare of makeup today, choosing to let this week be the week I let my skin truly breathe and focus on moisturizer and sunscreen. My hair is loosely gathered in a clip, mostly to keep it out of my face.
I take a few more seconds to collect myself before heading down the stairs and into the dining room.
“Auntie Kyra, sit by me!” Elena bounces in her seat as I enter the room.
The smile grows on my face as I walk over and slide into the cushioned seat between Elena and Selene.
“It smells wonderful, dear.” My father speaks up at the head of the table as everyone else gets seated.
Plates of salad, three kinds of pasta, and a basket of bread is passed around the table. I help make Elena’s plate.
“Thank you,” Daphne says from the other side of the table.
I nod. “Of course.” I put a little of everything on Elena’s plate, knowing she’s at least required to try a bite of everything.
“What if I don’t want to eat the green stuff?” Elena makes a face as she looks down at her plate.
“You have to at least try it,” Apollo eyes her from across the table.
I bite back a smile as I watch the two stare each other down. Elena lifts her chin slightly before turning to Selene.
“Yaya, is there desert?” Elena grins at Selene.
Selene sighs. “There might be donuts for breakfast.”
Elena turns her smile to me. “Auntie Kyra?”
“Yes?”
“Can we make pink cupcakes?” she whispers.
I lean close to her to whisper, even though I know everyone can hear us. “That depends on how well you eat this dinner Yaya prepared.”
Elena nods, satisfied with my answer.