We were still not really speaking when we got to my dad and Lukas’ wing for dinner. Lukas was the first one to pick up on something being wrong. He gave me a look before standing up.
“Oh, Alessio, I found something of yours in the spare room. You should come have a look.”
“Alright.”
Standing up, I followed behind Lukas. He closed the door once we reached the spare room, and there were a few things of mine sitting on the bed, surprisingly. But that was pretty much forgotten when he spoke up.
“Alright, what’s going on with you and Lev?”
“Nothing—”
“You know I know when you lie, right? You, Alexi, and Andrei, you all lie the same way, so spill it.”
“Right, don’t know why I even tried.”
“What happened?”
“Lev and I were arguing earlier and about some things my dad said in the car and then about when I made the comment I did full well knowing it was a tender spot for my dad, and he wanted me to give my dad a break. And there was just so much more.”
“I don’t agree with everything your father does, but he is trying. That is what’s important, and I think you both need to give each other a break.”
“Hey, I’m sorry about making your relationship with my dad tense or stressed because you’ve had to save me from my problems with him.”
“Things between your dad and I are perfectly fine, but I appreciate the apology.”
“I don’t know how to make Lev less mad at me. He wants me to go to therapy and I’m ok with that. But he called me immature because of what happened between dad and I. I hate that.”
“I think everyone is a bit immature. Your dad is too. I am too. Part of being an adult is forever learning how to be mature in all the situations you’re presented with.”
“Yeah. I get that.”
“My helpful tip, talk to Lev. Explain your feelings, understand why he thinks you’re immature, go to therapy. Do it for yourself.”
“Right.”
Lukas suddenly grabbed me, hugging me, and it was odd. But also comfortable.
“Look, you’re not my kid and we aren’t that far in age, but I care about you, and I care about what happens to you. We are family.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
“Come on, grab those and I’ll tuck them into a bag and then we can have dinner.”
“Alright” I replied. Grabbing my things and following him out of the spare bedroom, that used to be mine before I moved into Caleb’s.
Dad and Lev really just seemed to have small talk, not really having a full conversation. I figured this had to do with the whole today deal, from start to finish. I wasn’t about to ask, though. They were both mad at me. Lukas served us all a bowl of pasta and we ate silently. It was the most awkward dinner yet.
“Alright, someone needs to speak. I can hear myself chew and I don’t like it.” Lukas muttered.
No one said anything. So I sighed and spoke after swallowing my mouth full of pasta.
“I’m sorry for upsetting you. I shouldn’t have pushed it.”
My dad took a drink and looked right at me.
“You sure you mean that?”
“Yes. And Lev, I’m sorry for pissing you off too.”
My dad raised an eyebrow at Lev, who just nodded because he had a mouth full of food.
“What did Alessio do to piss you off?” He asked. Looking way too interested in this information.
“He treated me to some typical Mihail male behavior.”
“I’m going to try not to be offended by that.” I muttered before getting up to get a drink.
“I wasn’t trying to offend you, Alessio, not at all. Besides, you are not the only one with that personality. Andrei and Alexi have it as well.”
“Thanks.” My dad said sarcastically.
“You’re welcome.” Lev said, smiling at him.
“Oh Alessio! Your father made this really yummy tart. Try it after dinner.” Lukas said, suddenly, his eyes lighting up as he smiled. It made me envy his happiness.
“Lev, you really should try it too.”
“If Andrei doesn’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind if you eat it. I made it for all of us to enjoy after dinner.” He said, sipping his water before looking at me again.
“Alessio, I’m sorry. I overstepped in the car and that’s my fault. You’re an adult and sometimes, I had a hard time with that. I’m still really new to all this being a parent shit.”
“You had Alexi.”
“I did. You’re right, but he didn’t let me parent him at all.”
“That’s just Alexi. He doesn’t let anyone do anything for him.” I said, laughing.
“That’s not all that true anymore. He is opening up all the time.” My dad replied.
We finished eating dinner and Lukas brought out the large tart. The smell was heavenly. He set it down and went to get a lifter and plates. We all still had our forks, so he didn’t have to bring us any new ones. I was super excited about this.
My dad lifted us all out a slice of the tart after asking how much we wanted and cutting it. I waited until everyone had a slice before tasting it. Honey was the first thing that took over in my mouth, then a soft buttery taste was next. I had no clue what the tart actually was, but it was so delicious.
Lev also seemed to be really enjoying the flavor of the tart.
“This is amazing. I can’t say I know what it is, but it’s light and buttery.”
“I’m glad you like it. It took longer to make than I care for. It’s the first time I’ve made this dish.”
“Couldn’t tell at all, dad. It’s so delicious.” I said, with my mouth still slightly full.
“I second that.” Lukas hummed.
Lev and my dad seemed on good footing again for the moment. They were talking, and not just small talk. They were having conversations. He brought back a beer for Lev when he grabbed one for himself.
“I know you don’t drink beer much, but you know where the good stuff is, if you want a glass, Alessio.” My dad said, offering his best.
“Oh, no thank you. I don’t think right now that’s a good idea.”
My dad nodded. Trying not to look too worried about me, but the truth was, I didn’t want to break down here if the single glass made me feel something I wasn’t ready to address yet.
“Do you want a cup of tea, coffee?” Lukas asked me, smiling softly, looking at my dad, who was actively speaking with Lev.
“I’ll take a coffee, and I can get it. I know where it is. Thanks for dinner.” I replied.
“I could get it.” He sighed.
“You have waited on me enough tonight, so please just sit down and relax.”
“Alright. Thank you. I am glad you came for dinner.”
“Hey, Dad wouldn’t let us miss dinner. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to miss dinner here either.”
“We also invited Creed and Alexi, but they had prior plans with his baby brother and his mom.”
“Good, I’m glad. It thrills me. He is still working on being a proper brother to Nikki.”
I missed my own siblings, But I would see them again shortly. Even so, I missed them dearly. I missed my mother, too. Despite our disagreements. I looked at Lev and expected him to be too busy to notice me watching him, but he looked at me almost right away. We met eyes, and I broke that connection quickly. Getting up, I went to grab coffee. I tinkered with things on the counter so I wouldn’t have to go back to the table while I waited for my coffee.
Grabbing my cup, I brought it back to the table and sat down. The bitterness was nice against the sweetness of the tart. Lev suddenly set his hand on my leg and the cup shook in my hand. I set the cup down before giving him my attention.
“Yes, did you need something?” I murmured.
“No, not right now.” He said, before getting back into the conversation with my dad.
I looked at him and he was ignoring Lev’s hand visibly set on my knee. It made me wonder what the hell he was up to. My phone dinged, so I fished it out of my pocket and the screen lit up with my number before I could check the text. I swiped it away because I was at the dinner table. I didn’t want to be rude. She rang back almost immediately.
“Excuse me, I have to take this.”
Picking up my phone, I answered it. Stepping away from the table, I was glad I didn’t put it up to my ear because my mother was screaming and freaking out.
“Mother, please, slow down and stop yelling. I can’t understand you.”
“Sio, Your brother is gone! We got into a fight about training and I don’t know where he went, but I have a terrible feeling!”
“Breathe, we will find him. Do you know if he mentioned anything when you were arguing about where he might go?”
“No! I have no—Oh god. Alessio, I think he is trying to get to you.”
“How? He shouldn’t—”
“Think about all the people here that could have taken him, or anything. Alessio he is not by any means stupid. He will have figured out how to do this.”
“Check for his passport. I will see if I can reach out to him from here.”
“Give me a moment to check the office!”
I heard her running before I heard my mother sobbing.
“Alessio, it’s gone—All of his stuff is gone.”
“All? What is all of it?”
“Fake I.D, passport, everything I had tucked away for him.”
“God! It’s entirely possible he is on his way here, then!”
“Find him! Please help me find your brother.”
“When was the last time you saw him?”
“Hours ago! Hours!”
“I’m going to get off here and check all incoming flights to the area and go from there. Just try to stay calm. Look around there for him.”
“Alright.” She said, defeated, before she hung up.
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Alessio, what is going on?” My dad asked.
“I’m going to murder him.”
“Who? Please fill me in?”
“My little brother.”
I filled my dad in while I waited for the page of incoming flights to load. There was one landing in an hour and that was bound to be the one that he was on.
“The airport is where I need to go. I know he is getting off that plane. I just know it. It’s what I would have done.”
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