“Hey! Morning kiddo.”  Cain called on me over the sizzling of my breakfast.

“Morning.” Charlie said, nodding his head, his eyes never leaving his morning paper.

“You okay?” Cain asked, as he left the bacon, wrapping his arms around me.

“Good, thanks.” A very obviously lie. Cain nodded and went back to his bacon, humming the same tune as last night that sent me into unconsciousness.

“Morning Damian.” I called to him, trying to sound cheerful. He was sitting in the living room, just staring into space. “Damian?” I called again, tossing a pillow at him.

“Hey! Morning sleeping beauty. I’m sorry I didn’t wake up to see if you were okay. I am a heavy sleeper.”

“Ha!” Cain shouted over the radio. “No need to tell us that. We could fuc…”

“Cain!” Charlie shouted, his eyes leaving the latest football league to give his eldest child murderous looks. “Watch it.”

“Yes father. But times have changed since you were young. The youth of today say things like that all the fucking time.” I hadn’t notice until I was being pulled onto the couche that Damian had claimed me, his arms a little too tight around me.
“Cain Swan!” Charlie was red in the face and pushed the chair back with such a force that it made an ear piercing noise against the tiled kitchen floor. Now I know why Damian had had such a fierce grip on me, protecting me from Dad’s angry. I looked up at him, and gave him a thankful look. I knew they weren’t being serious when they started hurling abuse at each other, but my body still tensed, and I arched my back, trying to put myself closer to Damian.

“Guys! Cut it out!” Damian roared. They stopped instantly when they saw me. The sizzling and the radio were the only noises we could hear. That and the insane beating of my heart in my ears.

“Bella. I am so sorry.” Charlie whispered, not meeting me eyes.

“So so sorry.” Cain echoed, his eyes on his feet. I freed myself from Damian’s grip and looked at the clock on the wall.

“It’s getting late. I better get ready.” I awkwardly started to walk towards the stairs. I could feel the eyes on the back of me, following my every move.