She nods, brooding over it.

We sit in comfortable silence until there’s a knock on the door. Neither of us has time to sit up before my mom comes in with a hand over her eyes, gaps between the fingers so she can peek through.

Nosy woman.

It’s good we woke up earlier to gather the improvised bed and for Indigo to put in her lenses.

“Are you guys dressed?”

I laugh and sit up, “Yes, Ma.”

Mom uncovers her eyes, smiling at both of us.

“Change, we are going to play darts,” she smiles at both of us. “Or don’t. Love your pajamas.” Mom winks at Indigo, who turns pink and looks down at her Winnie outfit.

I can tell Mom is hurt by me and Ava breaking up, but it’s crystal clear she wants everything to go back to normal. When Ava came over, we always used to go play darts. Although it was a tradition before I could even walk, she became a part of it.

I laugh and push my mom out of the room, letting her know we’ll be down soon. When I turn around, Indigo’s peering down at her pajamas.

“Did your mom just make fun of me?”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ELIAS

Dad has always been the best at darts. That’s why it’s no surprise he’s won three times already. What I’m surprised about is Indigo being right behind him. There’s a tight score between them.

“Let her win,” Mom whispers into Dad’s ear.

My dad turns to look at her, mouthing a proud never. It seems that Indigo noticed, since she eyes them, laughing. Dad turns to her and shrugs like he owns the game.

“Don’t worry, I’d rather win because I deserve it,” says Indigo.

“Mmhmm,” Dad nods. “Then get ready to lose again.”

“Hey,” Olivia pouts, “I’m right there with you.”

Mom and I always fight for the last place. Even though we’ve played this game for years, we’re still incredibly bad at it.

“Your turn, Mom,” I remind her, with a tap on her shoulder.

“Oh,” she puts her coffee down, “right.”

She straightens her back, the three arrows gripped in her tiny hand. Mom closes one eye, as if that would ever help, and aims for the board, missing it by a mile. Dad tries to explain it to her for the hundredth time, so I take it as my cue to go check on Indigo.

“Are you having fun?” I ask her.

She looks up at me from where she’s sitting, eyes sparkling. I don’t need a response from her. The eyes always tell the whole story.

“Is it so hard for you to let me win once?” Livy asks, drained from the games we’ve already played.

Dad laughs, placing his arm on her shoulders. He drags her close and kisses her blonde hair.