Snowridge's Secret (Book 1)

57 - Observations

Elijah - POV

"Are you almost ready? We need to head out soon." My father complains from the bottom of the stairs. His tone exasperated as he waited for our response. We all yelled from our rooms to confirm we're coming. Payton laughs from his room across the hall as we listen to our father grumble as he walks away from the stairs.

I zip up my bag and grab my book sack, quickly exiting my room. Walking to Seth's room and leaning against the door.

"Don't forget your suit. Papa will freak." I remind him. Smiling as I watch him nod. Carefully folding his clothes and packing them as neatly as possible. While Payton and I are messy as hell, his room is spotless. His bookshelves are organized, and his clothes are never wrinkled.

"Hurry up." Is yelled from behind me. Causing Seth to flinch. I turn around and glare at Payton's annoying ass.

"Shut up." I reply, taking the attention off of my nervous brother. Walking out the room and grabbing Payton by the arm. Pulling him along so Seth can finish. "Why do you have to be such an ass to him?"

He just scoffs. Pulling away from me as he picks up his bag. Ignoring me as we walk down the stairs. Our heavy footsteps echo through the house as we reach the main floor, where he turns and looks at me.

"You and Papa coddling him is the reason he's so skittish." He complains. Earning himself a nasty glare from me as I walk up to him. He's only a couple inches taller than me.

"Berating and picking at him aren't going to help." I start. Locking eyes with him as he frowns at me. "Try acting like a brother, and maybe he would respond to you better."

His nostrils flare, and his eyes flash as he grits his teeth. Stepping closer to me, getting right in my face. "Acting like a brother?" He questions. "I do fucking plenty."

I scoff at his words. Only pissing him off more. "Really?"

He grabs me by the shirt and pushes me against the marble pillar. Barring his teeth as we stare each other down. I go to curse him out, but he cuts me off.

"You don't fucking know shit!" He yells. "While you and your asshole friends were playing soccer, I was handling those assholes that would bully him. While you were fucking around at parties, I was keeping those pricks from taking advantage of him."

My eyes widened at his words. Watching as his eyes watered and his face grew red. My glare softening and my anger dissipating.

"You don't know shit. So keep your fucking mouth shut." Are his last words. Stepping back as his breathing slowed. Silence filling the room until he looks over my shoulder and his eyes widen.

I don't even need to look as Seth's scent reaches my nose. I watch quietly as Payton steps back. Looking down at his feet. Not moving as I hear him reach the bottom of the stairs.

I turn just as he reaches Payton. Watching as he walks up to him. His eyes still on the floor as our eldest brother stares at him. Flinching when he wraps Payton up in a tight hug. Sighing loudly as he hugs him back. The moment lasting only a couple seconds before they pull apart.

I smile as I watch them. Until Seth turns his attention to me and frowns.

"You two need to stop fighting so much. We're all brothers. Family." He reminds us. Earning himself two eye rolls.

"While that was all very dramatic. Are you three done?" An annoyed voice causes us all to flinch as we turn and look towards the living room. Noticing our frowning papa standing in the archway. His coat and bag are in his hand as he looks us over. "Why couldn't I have had three adorable daughters."