Navigating Hermes (Book Two)

Chapter Eleven

Welcome back! Thank you to all of my dedicated readers and all of the new ones who have joined this last week. I love seeing you add this series to your reading lists, your votes and especially your comments! Small trigger warning: There is a bit of alcohol abuse in this chapter, so I understand if you want to skip it entirely, or skip through the scenes that displays the behaviour. I hope you enjoy this chapter! - Amy

~~~

     By the time Julie stepped foot into her favourite bar, she'd already been signed up for three different dating apps. Poor Melinoë didn't want anything to do with the apps, so a compromise was made that she would only join the app available in Olympus; Divine Fate. Apparently Eros and Hephaestus were consulted in its creation.

     Julie's cell phone beeped, making her groan when she read the text. "Of course now Marcus is ready to leave now that we're here." She turned to Danika. "Can you go get him?"

     Before Danika could respond, Melinoë piped up. "I'll get him!" she said before disappearing.

     Julie and Danika both raised their brows, but Aphrodite's excited squeal distracted them. Apollo was sitting in a large circular booth with the other gods surrounding him.

     Julie watched as Aphrodite ran to her husband and hopped into his lap, planting a big kiss on his mouth. She also noticed Hermes quickly shift away from Hephaestus, trying not to be accidentally devoured by the public display of affection.

     Persephone, being the elegant woman she was, placed a peck on Hades' lips and slid into the booth after he stood up, before pulling Aphrodite off of Hephaestus' lap. Julie couldn't hear what she said to Aphrodite, but she saw the word "humans," being spoken as Persephone appeared to scold her half-sister.

     Danika pulled Julie into the booth, having her sit on the outside so Danika could sit next to Apollo. The placement worked well since Julie wasn't directly facing Hermes.

     Julie smiled at everyone, skillfully avoiding Hermes' gaze. She could see him slightly in her peripheral vision and swore he was looking right at her, but thankfully her brother and Melinoë walked through the bars doors before she was tempted to confirm her suspicions. "Over here!" Julie yelled and waved at the pair.

     Melinoë looked a bit more uncomfortable than usual when she sat next to her father with Marcus following closely behind. He practically fell into his seat. "It's nice to see you all again," Marcus slurred slightly before he smiled at everyone.

     Julie's face dropped immediately. She could smell the alcohol on Marcus' breath, even though they were separated by the table's opening. She caught Melinoë's eye and motioned to her phone. 'How drunk do you reckon he is?' She texted the goddess.

     Melinoë frowned at the message and texted back quickly. 'He was finishing a beer when I appeared in the living room. I counted at least five empty bottles around him."

     "Fuck," Julie swore under her breath. She looked at her twin. "Marcus," she called, but he was out of it. "Marcus," she said much louder, making him jump slightly in his seat.

     Marcus laughed. "What is it, Sissy?" His response confirmed that his speech was definitely slurred.

     Julie reached along the table for his hand and sat up slightly, pulling him closer. "What's going on with you? I thought you were doing better?"

     "Pfft," Marcus responded, a small bit of spit sprinkling onto Julie's face. "I'm fine," the word dragged on too long. "Just having a little fun."