Chapter 51 Elijah
FIFTY-ONE
ELIJAH
“All right, guys, huddle for a picture.” Fay, like a mother hen, gathers my siblings and me after the very last sound check of the tour and snaps a picture of us with our instruments. “I can’t believe this is our last show. Time really flew by,” she gushes, looking down at the phone.
I collect my belongings and make my way to where the car waits for us outside.
A security guard at the door ushers me to stay inside. “There is a crowd of people outside for you, Mr. Drakos. To make the trip to the car safe and efficient, we have to wait for your siblings.”
I’m sick and tired of all the ruckus. I just want to head home to Lily.
“Princess and Prince, what took you guys so long?” The grumpy look on my face makes them stop in their tracks.
“Have you been here by the door for the past thirty minutes?” Leonidas asks flatly.
“I would have been in the car, but apparently, fans are outside for us.”
Muttering a string of curse words, Leonidas pulls Amelia in front of him and gestures for the security detail to open the door.
“Oh my God, it’s them!” is yelled, like Jesus has appeared for the Second Coming.
That causes all one hundred fans to jump behind the barrier belt stanchion, which is placed for our safety.
“I can’t wait for tomorrow night!”
“I came here all the way from Canada!”
“Tomorrow night is going to be the best night of our lives.”
“Is the show going to be any different from the others?”
Smiling at them and waving, feeling like my eardrums are going to burst, I jump into the Cadillac and sigh deeply when the door slams shut.
“You good, man? You’re sweating.” Leonidas comes close to my face.
Is a foot pressed up against my chest?
“Just feeling the pressure for this last show,” I say simply, shutting my eyes. Blocking out the fans banging on our windows.
He slaps my knee, but I don’t bother looking at him. “We couldn’t be any more prepared. Everything was perfect. The show we’re going to put on tomorrow is going to be our best one yet, just you wait.”
“When we get home, you should eat and get some rest,” Amelia pipes in softly. “Maybe you need to catch up on some sleep. I know I need some.” She yawns, getting comfortable in her seat.
“Hello, tonight, we’re partying; tomorrow night is our last night.” Leonidas scoffs.
I point out, watching the beautiful landscape go by fast from the window, “We can party tomorrow, when the tour is actually over.”
Isn’t that what makes the most sense? Why would we celebrate before actually accomplishing the goal?
Reading my mind, Leonidas deadpans, “We always have zero energy after shows. Tonight makes the most sense because tomorrow, you’re going to jump in bed the second we get home.”
I roll my eyes, and a huff escapes my mouth when I know he’s got me there. I always run straight for my bed when shows are done. I’m not sure if it’s the adrenaline dying down or the anxiety from all the singing and bright lights. Maybe it’s all of that combined.
“Stay in the car.” Leonidas sticks his head back in the car when we move to follow him to the house. “Let’s go straight to a club. I’ll get everyone.”
Amelia and I sigh in sync.
She narrows her eyes. “Stop doing that.”
“It’s not my fault that you copy me.”
With a twinkle in her eye, she says, “It’s because we’re triplets.”
Bartenders crowd around the booth we’re huddled in. Holding bright light-up signs, welcoming us to the club, the people below start hollering up at us. Phones appear in the air, making my spine stiffen.
Animals in a zoo is how they always manage to make us feel.
“Did you take it?” Lily whispers beside us, her nervous energy radiating off her body in large waves.
Since her boss fired her, she’s refused to step foot outside. I caused that anxiety in her. Without me, she’d be free to be who she was without fear of a camera. Having a whole crowd of eyes on us is causing her more stress than joy.
Damn it, she’s supposed to be having fun right now.
It’s all my fault.
“Did I take what?”
When she scoots closer, her bare leg in her mini leather skirt grazes my jean-clad one.
“Your Xanax.” Her lips brush against my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
I’d rather be in our bedroom than here. That’d help me loosen up for tomorrow for sure.
“I gave it to you in the car before we got here.”
I nod, chugging the drink Leonidas handed to me. I’m three glasses in, and the world is turning fuzzy. Usually, I can drink five before feeling drunk.
I narrow my eyes because I see three sets of Lily’s eyes.
She frowns. “Are you feeling well?”
“I’m perfectly fine.” I wave her off, finishing my drink and slapping it on the table. “Refill.” I point to my glass, and a waiter comes within seconds and tops me off.
“Maybe you should slow down.” Lily chews on her lip, looking absolutely ravishing.
I should make love to her in public, let everyone see how much I love this girl.
Fuck them for trying to destroy her. I’d give up my entire career for Lily. With a snap of my fingers, I would disappear off the face of the earth if she asked.
I shrug, forgetting the cup exists and pull her into my body. She falls into my chest, and her giggle vibrates off my body when a drunk Trinity starts giving Leonidas a lap dance. His face falls in shock before he yanks her down, gesturing to all the cameras pointed our way.
“You look sexy tonight, girl. Let’s dance!” Trinity escapes my brother and pulls Lily by the arms.
She glances back at me, scared, tentative, but follows her best friend anyway.
“If people think you’re a fucking hooker, show them how they’re just jealous because you’re hot,” Trinity slurs, climbing on the table and taking my girlfriend with her.
Trinity doesn’t give her a second to overthink.
With Lily’s back pressed to Trinity’s chest, they start moving their hips in a hypnotizing rhythm.
Laughing, the two barely avoid the glasses on the table as they put on a show for the entire club.
People start throwing money in the air. A fucking coin lands on the floor somewhere.
The sparkly red top Lily wears shines like a disco ball.
My eyes blink rapidly, attempting to see her clearly, but the number of drinks I’ve consumed makes it ten times harder.
Leonidas rises with a frown, gesturing them both down with a bark.
They ignore him and cheer when Amelia joins, swaying her hips and winking at a stunned Levi.
“What are we going to do with them?” Levi shouts over at me, a smile gracing his face.
In a line, they start swaying their hips sensually and guide each other’s hands down their bodies.
I reply with a shrug, slouching further into the couch. I can’t seem to watch anything else but Lily finally letting loose and feeling confident. Even if it’s going to be shared online thousands of times.
I can fucking fight.