The Ones Who Saved Us

Chapter 36

Avalee's POV

A day had passed since I gotten Trevor Wheatley and Daniel Costa expelled from school. My ribs had turned into a nasty shade of purple since then, but with Leo making me ice them for hours on end, I was hoping they would heal quickly.

Today was unlike any normal Saturday in the Russo household. None of my family was home except Teddy, Leo, and I—not even the twins. They apparently had some "business" to attend to, but I had a feeling that it had to do with two particular football players.

Arya had dropped by to check on me, so the two of us were in my room away from the intruding eyes of my brothers. Our relationship was still a secret from most of my family, but with everything that had happened, I had found myself wanting to confide in them more and more, especially now that I no longer had a microphone on me.

And I also didn't want them to find out by accident.

Arya and I were on my bed watching The Mummy Returns on my computer. Arya was sitting against my headboard, and I was between her legs with the back of my head leaning against her chest. Arya's arms were wrapped around me, careful of my broken ribs and bruised body.

Arya's breath fanned my ear as she whispered, "This is my favorite part."

As the movie played on, I leaned further back into Arya's touch and tilted my head up, placing soft kisses on her jaw one last one on her cheek. Arya was looking at me with a smirk and leaned her head down to kiss me but stopped inches away from my lips when we heard the sound of a throat clearing by the door. Our heads snapped towards the noise, and I scrambled off of the bed, straightening out my clothes, when I saw my oldest brother standing there.

He wasn't supposed to be home for a few more hours.

Alessandro was leaning against the door frame in running shorts and a t-shirt that clung to his body, his hair weighed down and wet with sweat. His arms were crossed over his chest and eyebrows furrowed.

"Sandro—"

"Mr. Russo—"

"Girls," Alessandro said, cutting us off. "I knocked on the door, but no one answered, so I thought I would check and see if you two were in here. But now I know why that was."

Arya closed my computer and raised her eyes to meet my brother, nervousness clear in her shaky voice as she said, "Mr. Russo, I—I want you to know that we didn't want to keep this from you, but—"

Alessandro held his hand up. "Frankly, Arya, I would rather here this from my sister. Can you show yourself out? I'm leaving for work in a few minutes, and I'm not comfortable leaving you two here alone together, especially with Teddy in the next room."

"Sandro, we're not going to do anything."

"Ava, it's fine. I understand," Arya said, standing up from the bed. "I'll leave."

Alessandro nodded his head. "I'll give you two a moment." Before leaving, Alessandro turned around and looked towards me. "Ava, I'm going to shower, but I'll swing by your room to talk before I leave for work."

Alessandro left my room, leaving the door open behind him. Arya walked towards me and held my hands in hers while I leaned my head against her chest. "He's going to kill me," I muttered.

"Relax, Aves," Arya said, raking her fingers through my hair. "Just talk to him. I'm sure he'll understand. And from what you've told me about your relationship with him, he can't hold a grudge against you. Everything will be okay."

I sighed. "I hope you're right, amore."

Arya placed a finger under my chin and tilted my head upwards, bringing her lips to meet mine. Pulling away, she pressed her forehead against mine and said, "I love you."