Sullivan Family: BOOK 2

IX

"We're just going to have a normal weekend, okay?" Ivan says, looking around the dining room table at all of us. I set my fork, filled with a bite of Italian cloud egg, back on my plate. A normal weekend after the shitstorm this week has been? He sighs when we all look at him in shock. "I've been too hard on you. Most of the stuff brought up this weekend is on me, not you. You guys are just kids. You should be able to enjoy yourselves."

"You were just a kid, too." I say, my voice catching in my throat. Ivan clears his throat.

"It's too late for me. Not you guys." Ivan motions for us to continue eating our breakfast. "I'll take Lukas, Simon, Silas and Hollis to their tournament this weekend. Would any of you like to come watch?"

"Nah," Emmett declines. We all wait a moment to hear his excuse, but none is forthcoming. While Emmett likes boxing (hitting people, in general), he's never been sporty like the rest of my brothers.

Some good news, though, is that Emmett found a job. He refused to tell us what it is, and Ivan backed him up on that. Emmett starts work on Monday, and as far as I know, works Monday to Friday.

"I gotta work on my truck." Levi adds and proceeds to stuff his mouth full of food. I wrinkle my nose in disgust. That was just about worse than Hollis.

"Huxley, you can come, too." Ivan smiles at me, a hopeful expression on his face. Although I'd rather stay home, I beam at him, happy that he is giving me a day off of my grounding.

"I'll drive you." Odin offers. Surprised at his nice gesture, all of the youngers stop eating to stare at him in shock. Out of all my brothers, he is the that absolutely refuses to cave to my extroverted attitude, preferring to make me stay home, basically isolated. If I am in any way socially awkward, it's no doubt because of him.

"You sick?" Manny teases with a smirk.

"Megan will be there." Odin replies honestly. He shrugs when we all stare at him, disbelieving his forthcoming attitude. "We've made it official."

"Oh, great!" Silas mutters under his breath.

"I'm never gonna live this down!" Hollis huffs, shaking his head.

"She better not be your third fiancé!" I moan, slumping in my chair.

"I was only engaged to Brittany for a day! That barely counts!" Odin cries in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Please, finish eating, all of you." Ivan says, an eyebrow rising when none of us have snappy comebacks. I hide a giggle when he looks around the table in confusion, disbelieving our response to his request. "Levi, Emmett, dish duty, please."

"Right away?" Levi asks. "Or, can we do them when we want?"

"We'll be back around six pm. Before then, please." Ivan answers, shaking his head as we all quietly clear our plates of food.

"This is downright uncomfortable." Odin shudders. Luke is halfway falling asleep, chin resting in his hands with his elbow on the table. Manny is trying to sneak on his phone, even though we aren't allowed electronics at mealtimes. Silas actually has a wisp of a smile on his face as he and Hollis race to finish their breakfast before the other.

"Done!" Hollis shouts, Silas saying the same thing a second after him. Ivan smiles and shakes his head, leaning back in his chair.

"You have clothes, snacks and water packed?" He asks, a twinkle in his eyes because of his amusement at the twins. It brings a tear to my eye that I quickly wipe away. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago when Ivan was laughing and teasing us, but lately, all I can remember is the agony showcasing in his wounded eyes and forlorn expression.