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“What’s his number?”
“Why?”
“I just want to talk to him.”
“No, not happening.”
“You never let me do what I want to do.”
“Not when it involves murder”
“I wouldn’t murder him… just some light torture and a bit of the fear of God put into him.”
“Michael he’s my brother.”
“Ok so I’ll skip the torture, just this once.” Ella’s face was still in her hands so Michael couldn’t be completely sure she was laughing, but the ripples across her shoulder blades were a positive sign.
“Besides, no one likes Hector.”
“That’s not true!” Ella protested sitting up and wiping her eyes to clear some of the tears of frustration her stupid middle brother had inspired. Michael moved her hands out of the way and wiped the tears himself.
“It really is.” He looked around conspiratorially. “Eve said he was just ok.”
“Michael…”
“I think she may have even frowned when she said it !” He staged whispered in a scandalized tone. This time he could see the grin and hear the giggles that made his heart soar. He would move heaven and hell to hear that sound every day until the end of time. He didn’t need to charm rooms full of people like Lucifer did, just her.
When her giggles subsided Ella took a Kleenex from the box Michael had balanced on his lap. She dabbed at her eyes again and blew her nose. “Thank you” Michael shrugged.
“Least I could do, since you won’t let me have any fun.”
“It will only make things worse if I react.” Ella sighed. “If I leave things alone, eventually they’ll move on to a different topic and my lack of family face time will be forgotten.”
“Until the next time they need to feel like a big shot and decide little sister Lopez can be kicked like a puppy.” The muscle in his jaw ticked.
“Dude if we are going to start arguing over unhealthy sibling conflict cycles, two words: God War.”
“Ok, fine, you’re right.” He threw an arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. “But I’m not actually a good person, you are.” Ella looked up at him and blinked away a bit more moisture from her eyes. “And a good person should be treated well. Always.” Ella squeezed him tighter. They stayed that way for a few minutes before Michael cleared his throat and started to extract himself from his cuddle conundrum. “Now. How about I order us some of that ridiculously greasy pizza you adore and we try to forget that your brother is an ass.”
“That sounds pretty good about now.” Ella also got up from the couch but started heading towards her bedroom at the other end of the apartment. “I’m going to go shower and change into something fluffy” Michael shot her a thumbs up while he scrolled through his delivery app. Once he heard the water start in the bathroom, he closed the food window and opened his text messaging screen
Hey, feel like messing with a Lopez brother?
Oh which lesser specimen of humanity has tweaked your ire dear twin of mine?
Hector
Hector’s the worst.
RIGHT?!
Anyways I promised Ella I wouldn’t do anything myself.
Say no more. The Devil loves a good loophole. Especially for our Ms. Lopez.
Invitation to Lux and then just enough bad service to remind him he isn’t Dad’s gift to humanity?
Should knock him down a peg or two.
👍🏻😈
The shower stopped and Michael quickly finished the pizza order as Ella padded out to the living room in a bright orange Nickelodeon onesie. She sat crossed legged on the couch, scrolling through Netflix, before looking at him and patting the spot next to her with a big smile. Michael smiled and joined her, resting his weaker arm across her shoulders.
And if a few days later, Hector Lopez turned up on his sister’s doorstep apologizing for his rude behaviour…that was strictly a coincidence.