Just For You

Chapter 14: Zeus

I stood outside the family manor, patiently waiting for Hades and Poseidon. I can't bring myself to go in by myself. I don't even want to be here, but I need something here before Mother sells it.

          I could have asked Hades or Poseidon to get it for me, but I need to make peace with this place. Well, make something. I don't know if I can ever see this place for anything other than hell.

          Sitting down on the porch, I pull out my phone. I don't know what I got it out for, maybe just to distract me from why I'm here. Im gonna need something better than a phone. I'm shocked I haven't become an alcoholic. Gods know someone else in my shoes would have been.

          Unlocking my phone, I go to my messages with Hera.

          After the session, she rushed out before I could say anything. I thought she would bring up our almost kiss the other day, but she acted like it never happened. And how things are going with us, I'm almost sure I made it up.

          No, no. it happened. She wanted me. For those few minutes, I held her. She wanted me. I just don't know what stopped her.

          I close my phone, stuffing it in my pocket.

          Panacea said we should eat together. When those words left her mouth, something told me Hera would object. I don't know why but a part of me wanted her to. If she did, it could mean she doesn't want to try anymore, and this game between us will be over.

          I need her to make up her mind for my sanity because if this continues for too long, I might actually lose it. I will never recover if she chooses to leave me, but I won't hold her hostage. I won't do to her what my father did to Mother.

          I want her happy. I just wish it was with me. Which is why I said I would do the dinner if she did.

          I looked up to see a car driving up the manor driveway. Squirting my eyes, I saw Poseidon driving with Hades on the passenger side. A smile bloomed on my face, and I stood up, waiting for them while he parked the car in the front.

          They got out of the car—Poseidon with a giant grin on his face and Hades with an uninterested look on hers.

          "Lightning bug!" Poseidon rushed over to me. His arms stretched out for a hug. He wrapped his arms around me tight. Picking me up. "Ugh, I missed you!"

          His hug was holding my arms down, so I couldn't hug him back. "I missed you too," I grunted. "Can't say the same for your hugs, though."

          He chuckled, setting me down gently. Hades looked up at the manor as if she was dreading going inside.

          She sighed. "Can we get this over with, please? I don't want to be here any longer than I have to."

          Poseidon looked between us and then to the manor. "Let's," he grumbled.

          Watching Hades unlock the door, I felt my entire body shiver when she opened the door. I hated living here. Nothing good ever happened here until I met Hera. And even then, I hated her being here.

          I didn't even want to be in the presence of this fucked up place.

          We all took a deep breath before walking in. We all needed a second before putting ourselves in this world again.

          "Mother said she got rid of the staff the day after Father died," Poseidon said, looking around the manor's foyer.

          Hades laughed. "She said she used most of his life insurance to ensure they were well off. Proud of her, honestly. I honestly thought she would have the staff fend for themselves."