Jacob chuckled despite himself even though the sound was hollow and void of emotion. Then he reached for his own fork and knife. “You’ll get used to it.”
They ate their meal in silence. He wasn’t in the mood for talking about anything and thankfully, she seemed to be okay with that. It wasn’t until he was settled into bed after a very awkward moment in the bathroom where she helped him wrap his cast in plastic that he’d realized he hadn’t expressed his gratitude for dinner.
Staring up at the darkened ceiling, Jacob allowed his darkening thoughts to continue to poison him. He couldn’t find the words or the thoughts to understand what was happening to him. He wasn’t this guy. Normally, he was determined. Dedicated. People could count on him to do what had to be done.
Something had shifted and there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
So much for only needing self-awareness to make it through the smoke. Right now, everything was choking him, and he didn’t have a way out.
It tooka great deal more effort to get up out of bed after sleeping through the night.
Okay, he didn’t really sleep that well and perhaps that was part of the problem. He was exhausted. The dreams he had left him restless. The only bright side was that he wasn’t so far gone thathe wanted to stay in bed all day. He might be angry at the world right now, but he wasn’t depressed. Not like people were in the movies.
He was just…
Angry.
By the time he left his bedroom, the distinct smell of breakfast wafted his way. Bacon. Maple syrup. Probably the works.
And why did that knowledge only add to his fury?
He stopped at the edge of the kitchen, watching Hallie dance around the kitchen humming to herself. Normally, he’d get a kick out of seeing her this way. He might not have feelings for her, but they were friends. He enjoyed her company.
But right now, seeing her happy and active only made his own predicament that much worse. He was a terrible human being because he didn’t want to see other people happy.
They could be happy. He simply didn’t want to be anywhere near it.
Jacob cleared his throat, but she didn’t seem to hear him.
“Hallie,” he grunted, irritated.
Still, her hips swayed and she continued to hum as she stirred the pitcher of orange juice she’d probably made from concentrate.
With a roll of his eyes, he hobbled closer to her. He nearly got to her side when she turned toward him, pitcher in hand. Her eyes widened a split second before a quarter of the liquid sloshed over the side at her sudden movement.
The juice splashed down his front and all over the floor.
Jacob closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize you were up yet.”
“Clearly,” he snapped through gritted teeth, staring down at the mess at his feet. “Well, these slippers are ruined.”
She dipped her focus to his feet and grimaced. “I’ll get you new ones?—”
“Don’tbother.” It would have been nice if he could storm off, but in his current state, all he could do was shuffle. Once upon a time, he’d been a capable man. He’d beencapable. He’d had his home to himself. He’d been on track to being a champion.
Now look at him.
Covered in sticky juice and living under the same roof as a girl who confessed she had feelings for him when there was zero chance he could in return.
He grumbled to himself as he painstakingly cleaned up. His phone buzzed just as he was about to leave his room again and he wasn’t surprised to see his brother’s contact information. Ignoring the call, he left the room and finally made it to the table.
“I heated up your food,” she said softly from the other side of the island.
He didn’t meet her gaze. Blueberry pancakes and bacon. There was sourdough toast on the side. Everything was… perfect.
And it made him feel even worse for his attitude.
