Page 76 of Riding the Pine

“If you’re so in love with her, why’d you keep it from us? From everyone?” Ares has placed his book on the bed next to him and has rolled onto his side to face us. He’s propping his head up on his hand.

I shake my head like he has the luxury of being able to pay off anyone he clobbers around the head. “Dude. Do you know how much ammunition the away teams would have if someone found out? The chirping they’d do? About your fucking sister?” I take my cap off and run my fingers through my hair. “I’d end up in jail for murdering someone.”

Artemis’s face stays serious, but Apollo nods.

“Plus, when she realizes I’m a useless piece of shit and breaks up with me, I don’t want everyone at the house to drown me in pity.” I shrug. If I’m laying it out, I’m laying itallout. “Or makefun of me.” I rub my chest at the thought. I’d kill those fuckers too.

She slaps my arm. “Would you knock that off before it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy? None of us think you’re a useless piece of shit. Not at all.” Her voice has that steely edge to it that serves as a warning, if you don’t slow your roll, that steely edge will get lodged in your throat, or eyeball, or chest.

“She’s right, hermano.” It’s Artemis who speaks this time. “You’re always so hard on yourself, and with no reason. You aren’t your family.”

I hate when he brings logic into the situation.

Ares laughs. “Ay. You have met me, right? I’ve done everything ‘awful’ you can think of, and they all still love me.”

Apollo grunts. “For now.”

Ares waves a hand. “If you were going to get rid of me, you’d have done so by now. They stayed by my side through the worst of it, through the scandals, the news stories, and the rehab. You’re family, hermano. Whether things work out with Hen or not. We don’t get rid of family just because we don’t like them.”

Athena clears her throat, and Artemis shifts in his seat.

“Ay, díos. Some family members, sí. But not you. You’re one of us.”

I survey the three guys. No one looks vaguely homicidal, no one’s got white knuckles or is inching toward me with a hockey stick. I stand up. “You’re all just… fine with it?”

They all stare at me.

I turn to Ares. “Did you tell them?”

“Tell them what?” Athena’s head jolts up so she can look at me.

“He’s known I liked you for a while. He’s had, ‘suspicions.’” I make bunny ears with my fingers around the last word.

She looks at Ares who shrugs. “He’s easy to read once you know what to look for. And every time you looked at him it waslike he was staring at the sun.” He gets a distant look in his eyes that makes me want to puke and throw a pillow at his face. “It’s just so romantic. And no, I didn’t tell them anything. Probably didn’t have to.”

Apollo holds his hands up. “I had an inkling. Didn’t think you’d grow the balls to act on it, though.”

Artemis nods. “I thought that’s why you befriended us at first, to get in with her.”

Athena’s mouth hangs open. “What? No. That’s girls’ MO for being my friend, not guys being yours.”

Apollo slaps his face with an open palm. “Are you fucking kidding me? Do you know how many jocks have tried to ask us for a hook up over the years?”

“Even the away team players.” Ares groans like there’d be nothing worse than his sister falling for someone in an opponent’s shirt.

Artemis points at me. “It took you long enough.”

Ares nods. “It’s about damn fucking time.”

Apollo pinches the bridge of his nose. “I won’t pick sides if there’s a divorce. I love you both. You’ll just have to put up with each other for holidays.”

“We’ll work out a custody agreement.” Ares laughs. “Won’t be necessary though.” He points his book, page marked by his thumb, in our direction. “What they have is a romance novel kind of love. Better even. No one farts in front of people in romance novels.” He nods like he’s some sage, old kind of wizard.

“No one’s going to try to kill me? Or challenge me to a duel?”

Apollo’s shoulders bounce with laughter. “Who she dates is none of our business, hermano. Her body, her choice.” His words echo what Ares said to me in the past, as though they’ve all established firm rules about their sister’s body and what she chooses to do with it.

“And to be honest, I’d rather she’s with you instead of some cabrón who treats her like shit.” Artemis’s face turns dark.

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