Page 81 of Spark

It was almost ten, 1pm where Mikey was, so he must be awake at the firehouse. Sure enough, there were the blinking three dots until a new message came through in all caps.

Mikey:AT THE AIRPORT NOW!

A picture followed of her three brothers grinning wildly, in a security line, dragging bags behind them. They looked amazing; she couldn’t believe they were on their way!

“Shit!” If they were at the airport, they would be landing around 4. She needed to figure out where they were going to sleep.

Mia:OMG!! I can’t wait to see you guys! It’s been so long since I had a hug from my big brothers! ??????

Her smile was starting to hurt her cheeks. Mia quickly stood up, ready to really clean the loft. Eying the couch, she considered buying a new one for at least one of them to sleep on. She didn’t even know how she would do that, but she had todo something. There was a knock on her door. Mia felt a shock of anxiety; she had been so focused she forgot to get ready. She couldn’t answer the door half-naked.

A voice called from the other side of the door.“Mia? I have your coffee.”

Her head fell back; she had totally forgotten. “One second, Mac!” She spied a pair of black yoga pants partially hanging out of her dresser, pulled them free, and quickly tugged them on.

“Good morning,” Mac greeted when she opened the door, reaching out a hand with a steaming coffee cup. She accepted the offering gladly, ready for a caffeine rush to boost her motivation.

“Morning. Shit, Mac.” She remembered promising Aurelio she would let the teen stay with her over the next couple days. “My brothers are flying in today.” She looked around for space for all the male bodies about to occupy her little loft. “I know Aurelio said to have you stay, but I think I will be fine with them here.”

“Mia…” Mac massaged the back of his neck, stress rolling off him like a bad cologne. “Aurelio will be pissed if I don’t stay.”

“I’ll talk to him. I mean, they are three big dudes,” Mia said, sliding open her phone and showing Mac the photo Mikey just sent her.

His eyes grew large. “Those guys are your brothers? You’re their little sister?”

Mia laughed, “Yeah.”

“Aurelio better not piss you off while they are here.”

Mia smirked. That was right. Melvin alone was equal to Aurelio’s height. And Mikey, although the shortest of the three, having topped at 5’11”, was the buffest. Matty[HF22] was strong, too, but he always said he was the pacifist of the family. “Theyare good guys. But they will do anything to keep me safe.”As time has already proven.

“Well, call Aurelio and if he says fine…” Mac’s phone rang, interrupting his train of thought. As he answered the call, he darted outside.

“Okay. Weirdo.” She sipped the coffee and decided to get ready while the teen was occupied. She would call Aurelio, but she felt like she needed a minute to find herself a bit. Grabbing a bra, a pair of jeans, and underwear, she decided to wear Aurelio’s shirt all day; the smell of him was a comfort she knew she would need. Heading into the bathroom, she closed the door and locked it. Not that Mac would try to break in, but her mind needed the reassurance she was safe. Getting dressed quickly, she tied the bottom portion of Aurelio’s large shirt into a little knot, fitting it snugly to her stomach. She applied some light makeup from the broken pallets she had managed to salvage. Sliding her glasses back on, she turned to the door and grabbed the leather jacket Aurelio had bought for her[HF23]. Thankfully, it had survived the onslaught, maybe because the perpetrator hadn’t seen it. She turned to look in the mirror, forgetting it was gone. Exhaling, she grabbed the doorknob and swung the door open.

Mac, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, looked up as she approached with a smile. “Well, look at you, Sandra D!”

Mia laughed. “Really, Mac? AGreasereference?” She slapped his shoulder.

“Oww,” he whined, feigning injury. “Yeah, everyone knows that classic.”

“Sure. I look okay then?”

“Like a perfect greaser’s girl.” He smiled. “You should send Aurelio a picture; it’ll make him run home.”Home. Mia liked that thought, but the loft no longer felt like home. Her smile faded a little, but Mac seemed too distracted by his phone to notice. Mac tapped quickly, his posture straightening as he frowned at the phone.

“Mia, I gotta go,” he announced abruptly. His phone was vibrating in his fingers.

“Oh, yeah. Aurelio?” she asked, but he didn’t respond. Mac looked up at her, the look he gave showed he was torn. Without another word, the teen dashed out the door and was gone.

Mia blinked a few times, confusion settling in her stomach. Moving to close her front door, she felt dread curl up with the confusion. As she slid the door closed, a hand popped in, pushing against hers. She stepped back; the hand was too big to be Mac’s. Oliver’s face appeared in the crack. He was smiling, like a wolf about to eat a lamb.

“Mia.” Her name rolled out of his mouth like a curse. “How are you doing?” He tilted his head slightly, making Mia uncomfortable. She kept a hand on the door handle, ready to push it closed. The dread sprung to life inside, striking like a snake in her belly.

“Fine.” She said through gritted teeth. “Bye.” She began to push on the door, but his hand was still in the way, knuckles white. She locked eyes with him and frowned angrily.

“What? I don’t get to come in?” Oliver pushed, testing the door. Mia held fast.

Mia frowned, searching his face; the glare he was giving her was making her skin crawl.

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