(Shaun's pov)
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Ever since Elliott found out that Phoenix was pregnant, I've basically been her personal butler. Normally I'd say that I didn't mind, but this time around I did. If I'm not sleeping, I'm with Phoenix, well that is if Elliot wasn't with her.

I understand that he's nervous she'll run or do something stupid, but good Lord. The girl has been here for over four months and she hasn't tried anything yet. I tried to get Elliott to get some of the other guys to change out with me, but since I'm the only other person that knows sign language, then it has to be me.

I was currently sitting next to Phoenix on the couch that Elliott has in his room. Watching this stupid ass movie, but I guess it was better than the awkward silence.

"So," I said 

Phoenix looked over at me, waiting for me to continue. I grabbed the tv remote, muting the tv, before turning my attention towards her.

"Do you think your family is looking for you?" I asked. I can tell by her facial expression that I caught her off guard.

"No," she signed.

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Because."

"Because?" I asked.

Sighing, she rearranged to where she was facing me.

"Why do you want to know?" She asked.

"Why not? It's not like there is anything else to do. Or do you want to keep watching this shitty movie?"

She looked over at the tv, taking a minute to stare at the scene that was paused on the screen. She turned her attention back towards me, biting her lip as we stared at each other.

"My family gave up on me years ago. So no, I don't think they know I'm gone," she signed.

"I see," I said, taking a sip of my drink.

"How come?" I asked.

"How come what?"

"How come they gave up on you?"

"Because I'm mute. I didn't fit their perfect family, so when I was about eight or so, they put me in foster care. I didn't even know how to do sign language until then. I basically grew out of the system, because no one wants a kid who can't talk."

Her face wore this pained expression, as she held eye contact with me.

"So you don't have anyone else?" I asked.

"No," she answered.

But I could tell she was lying to me. Her eyes held this sadness in them. 

"I see," I said, not wanting to push the subject any further.

"What about you?" She asked 

"What about me?"

"Family?"

"Where not to talking about me," I said.

"Why not? You sure got nosy about my life," she signed.

I glared at her before looking away, sighing out in annoyance. We sat there in silence for a good minute or two before I spoke again.

"I was sold into this type of lifestyle. I was born to two drug addicts, who would rather sell their child for money to get drugs than to get clean," I said, turning my attention back to Phoenix.

She looked sad. She had that look that pissed me off. It's the look you give an abandoned puppy you see on the side of the road.

"Don't look at me like I'm some wounded puppy."

"Sorry, it's just that I wasn't expecting to hear that," she signed.

"Shit happens, you know. I was sold off to Elliot's father, who basically raised me as his own."

What I didn't mention is all of time I spent 'training' with the old man. Which was basically him beating the shit out of me until I finally got tired of it and knocked him on his ass.

"Elliott?"

My eyes widened as I stared at her.

"It's no one, don't worry about it," I said. I could feel this ball of nerves in my stomach.

"Just forget about it," I said, looking away from her, still feeling nervous.

I grabbed the remote, starting the movie again, hoping it would distract her so she wouldn't put two and two together.

I sat there watching her, practically seeing the wheels turning, before she turned her attention back towards me. Her face said it all. She had indeed put the pieces together.

Oh fuck.

I quickly stood from my spot on the couch, walking over to the door before turning to Phoenix.

"So you need something? Yeah, you must be hungry. You haven't eaten much lately. I'll just go and get something," I rambled out as I opened the door.

I could hear Phoenix make a noise as she tried to stop me, but I hurriedly ran out of the room, shutting the door behind me. I walked down the hallway, only stopping once I reached the kitchen. 

I leaned up against the kitchen counter, cursing myself for letting that slip out. Elliott was going to beat my ass when he found out.

One thing.

He asked me for one thing, and that was not to let her find out anything about him.

"Shit," I yelled out.

"What's wrong with you?" Elliot's voice asked from behind me.

I jumped, quickly facing him.

"Oh yeah. When did you get back?" I asked, cringing as I heard the nervousness in my voice.

"Just now. Why do you sound so nervous?" He asked.

"N-Nothing."

Elliott was crazier than his father, a lot crazier. Couldn't really blame him for turning out the way he did, though. From what I heard and witnessed from time to time, he was a hundred times rougher on him than he was on me.

Elliott was his only son, though, the one to take his spot after he was gone. So Sam, Elliot's father. Made sure he 'shaped' him into the type of man he thought would be fit for the job.

"You didn't do anything. Did you?" Elliott asked, moving closer to me.

"I."

"You?" 

I took another step back, feeling the countertop against my lower back. Elliott stopped in front of me, leaving only about an inch between us.

"Did you do something that I should know about?" He asked.

"Iaccidentallysaidyourname," I rambled out.

Elliot's face wore a confused expression. 

"What?"

"I accidentally said your name," I said.

Elliott stared at me for a moment. All I could do was stand there, waiting. Waiting for him to either hit me or, god forbid, kill me.

But neither came. Instead, Elliott started laughing. He moved away from me as his voice grew louder.

"Y-You're not mad?" I asked, causing him to laugh even harder.

I stood there staring at him, trying to understand what was so funny.

"Of course not," he managed to wheeze out, as tried to stop laughing.

"But you said."

"I know what I said, Shaun," he said, interrupting me.

"I'm not mad because, well, because it's you. It's just my name. She was eventually going to know," he said, shrugging as he smirked at me.

"You're a real son of a bitch, you know that," I yelled at Elliott as I stormed out of the kitchen.

Hearing him laugh at me once more.

"Oh come on Shaun, I'm sorry," I could hear him tell after me.

That bastard had me almost shitting my pants when he was just fucking with me. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. I can't stay mad at him, even if he is an asshole.

"Asshole," I yelled at him.

"Yeah, but I'm your asshole," he yelled back, chuckling.

"Mhm," I said as I shook my head.

He was right, though. He is my asshole. I'm stuck with him whether I like it or not.