“Maybe you should introduce her to your sister, man. She seems like a good fit for you. Give her a true chance.” Rachel might be the only woman who can handle Kai’s unhinged impulses. The way their story started tells me everything I need to know. This woman is the female version of my friend.
“Call him.” Kai tells me finally as he abandons his seat and walks toward his sister. I watch him as he takes the seat beside her and gives her a tight hug. I always loved seeing how close he is with her. I never had a chance for this bond with family. I crashed every chance I would ever have when I killed my father. Even if Kai feels like family, I still wish I had a real one. A blood bond like the one he has with Nadia. Maybe that’s why her visits bring so much sadness to me. The fact that she reminds me she was right only by being here. Her existence screams in my facethe truth about myself. I am a monster and I don’t deserve to be loved.Noah should stay away from me.I won’t call him, as much as I want to; he deserves better.
Noah
“Still no Leo?” Rachel asks as she watches me while I try to clean my station.
“Nope.” I spray disinfectant on my chair and wipe everything down before I move to the vanity and the mirror. “How about Kai?” I ask and she shrugs.
“Maybe they died.” Sure, Rachel, ghosting almost every time happens because the person died. “We don’t need them anyway.” She lies.
“Yes...” My phone rings, interrupting me mid-sentence. Leo’s name is on the screen, and I turn to Rachel before I answer. “Hold that thought.”
“Not again.” She shouts and I place my hand over her mouth before I speak.
“Hello Leo.” I use my customer service polite voice because if I use my actual voice right now, it would be a little overreacting, and we don’t need to scare the man off.
“Noah!” Leo’s voice sounds excited. Almost as if he didn’t think I would pick up the phone. “Are you done with work yet?”
“I am just finishing up.” Rachel bites my hand, and I pull it away. “Fuck you.” I mumble.
“What?” Leo’s concerned voice comes through the phone.
“Sorry. Not you. That was directed to someone else.” I try to save the situation.
“Okay.” He doesn’t sound convinced. “How does dinner sound? I will cook for you.”
“He wants to cook for you. That’s so cute.” Rachel manages to say before I shut her up again.
“What was that?” Just my luck, of course he heard it.
“A dying woman. It’s not important.” I say and Rachel chuckles. I shoot her a glare but she licks my hand forcing me to remove it again.
“Say yes.” She mouths.
“Shut up.” I mouth back.
And none of us talk to Leo who’s still waiting for an answer.
“Are you still here?” He breaks the silence and I motion to Rachel to go away so I can talk to this man in peace.She doesn’t.She takes a seat at my freshly clean chair and pretends to inspect her nails.
“Fuck off.” I whisper.
“Make me.” She whispers back.
“Damn it, Rachel.” I say a little too loudly.
“Is this a bad time?” Leo’s voice interrupts us.
“No. It’s not. Yes I would love to have dinner with you.” I finally say, and Rachel wiggles her eyebrows, making air quotes while she whispers the word “dinner”.
“Tell me your address. I will bring the ingredients.” Fuck. He wants to cook at my apartment. Before I can answer, Rachel grabs the phone from me and presses the mute button.
“Tell him to meet you at my place. I will stay at yours.” She tells me in a rush, then pushes the button again. She knows I am self-conscious about my small apartment. It’s home but it’s a little embarrassing for someone at my age to still live in that small space. I love it, though. It’s home. It’s mine. Plus I am almost never there. I spend all my time either with Rachel or at work. It’s just a place I go for a quick nap and a wardrobe change.
“I am house-sitting for Rachel. Can we meet there?” Rachel gives me a thumbs-up for the good job I am doing, telling lies to this man.
“Where is Rachel going to be?” He sounds genuinely worried, and I am not sure if it’s because he saw through my lie or if he simply is worried about his buddy’s girl.
