When we get to the kitchen Jay pulls up to the fridge and asks, “anything sound good Aly Kat?”
“What were you planning on having?” I ask.
“Burgers?” He says it like it’s a question. Like, if I don’t want burgers that’s the thing that’s going to send me over the edge. If it wasn’t the fact that they are supernatural, I don’t think it’ll be burgers that does it.
While I am definitely feeling overwhelmed, these guys seem to think I’m about to completely lose it. Is that what happened before? It doesn’t sound like me but I have no idea what happened. That must be what else they need to tell me.
“Burgers sound great,” I say and I try to sound strong and reasonable but I’m not sure I hit the mark.
Jay starts cooking and the rest of us make our way over to the table to wait. Burgers is a pretty quick and easy meal, so it shouldn’t be long.
They all awkwardly stand around the table, waiting for me to chose where I’m going to sit first. I don’t think we’ve ever been this weird around each other, even when we were strangers at the bar.
Some part of me wants to end up next to Jeremy but I squash that feeling and choose a random seat. Why am I feeling so obsessed with Jeremy right now?
I’ve always liked him, even when he’s been a jerk. But right now, I feel a little obsessed and it’s weird. Is it something about knowing he’s a demon? Is he using his powers or something to make me feel like this?
I would totally call him out and ask but if he’s not, then I’ll sound like a loon. And I don’t think I want them all knowing I’m feeling this way. The four of us were just forming something and I still feel as strongly about them. I don’t want them to get the wrong idea about things. Although, if we are all ‘mates’ they’re probably expecting it? I guess I have no idea what the expectation is now.
Plus, Jeremy would tease me mercilessly about feeling this way. I would never move past it, if I told them how I’m feeling.
He is pointedly ignoring me, more than usual. There isn’t even a snide comment thrown out, which is his usual style. It’s bizarre and has me more on edge.
We all sit around the table in silence, just the sounds of Jay cooking to fill the space. Of course, Kiran can’t let the silence go on too long.
“So, what did everyone get on the math test?” He asks like that’s a completely normal topic to bring up.
And with a start, I realize that it is. What we’ve been talking about has been the weird, the abnormal.
I burst out laughing and it’s a little hysterical but it makes me feel better and melts the tension in the room. I actually feel joy and I’m grateful to Kiran for that. He always knows how to lighten the mood, how could he ever be something with the word ‘dark’ in it?
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jeremy’s shoulders drop and he seems to relax some too. That makes me feel even better, for some reason.
Seeing me laugh must encourage the rest of them because they all join in.
“I got a 92,” Nic says.
“86,” Jeremy tosses out.
“87, ha!” Jay gloats.
I study Jax and Kiran who are left.
“82, and I’m happy about it,” Kiran says downright gleeful. And I’m excited for him, I know he was really nervous. I helped him study and I’m proud of how well he did.
Jax and I are in a little bit of a stare off, clearly wondering which of us did better. My bets are on Jax but I did do incredibly well.
“Oh just spit it out already you nerds!” Jay comments from the kitchen.
“Fine, I got a 98,” I say and the tiny twitch in the corner of Ajax’s cheek, lets me know he won before he says anything.
“Damn it! What did you get Jax?” I ask, throwing my hands up.
His smile becomes full blown but he doesn’t rub it in, he just casually says, “99.”
And even though I lost, it makes me smile. Because this feels more like the guys I’m used to. The guys who are my best friends, who I can trust. Not the awkward group we were a few minuets ago.
Jay brings over a pile of burgers and places one on my plate, before taking one for himself. Once he’s done, the rest of them dig in. It was sweet he served me first, even though he cooked.
