Page 10 of Perfect Chaos

I flinch at his words. They are not something I haven’t heard before, but for some reason, it feels like they cut deeper coming from him. I immediately cover up my hurt feelings with anger. “You are such a dick; you don't know anything.” I flip him off and storm out of the kitchen. Fuck him for ruining my morning and my drink.

Gavin

She flips me the middle finger. It takes everything in me not to stop her from storming out. Why did I just do that? All I had to do was keep my mouth shut, but no, I had to open my stupid mouth. Not only did I call her Little Tornado again, but I also hinted at the scene I saw earlier, then upset her by telling her to control her drinking. I didn’t mean to be an asshole, but I can’t seem to keep my foot out of my mouth when it comes to her. It’s as if she short-circuits my brain anytime she is around. What she does is none of my business, yet I can’t seem to stop myself from sharing my two cents. I stand in the kitchen until I hear her bedroom door slam shut down the hall. I ordered a ride share to the hotel instead of bothering Atlas or her any further. If I had done that in the first place, maybe Maizyn wouldn’t be pissed at me right now.

I arrive at the hotel without any issues and make my way up to my room. Maybe I should just tell Atlas I will stay here. I was in his home for one day and already made it worse for them. Hell, after what I walked into this morning? I am sure Maizyn will tell Atlas what I just said, and I doubt Atlas will even want me to stay there. Let me text him before going back over to his house. I would hate to check out just for him to kick me out.

Gavin: Hey man

Atlas: What’s up? You were already gone when I got out of the shower.

Gavin: I am back at the hotel. I was going to ask you to drive me, but I didn’t want to bother you so I got a ride share instead.

Atlas:I would have driven you over there. Do you need any help getting all of your stuff moved over here?

Gavin: You still want me to move in with y’all?

Atlas: Yeah, why wouldn’t we? Unless you don’t want to? That’s fine too.

Gavin: Nah, it’s not that. I just thought after everything that happened this morning, you wouldn’t want me around.

The little dots show he is typing dance on the screen. I am actually nervous for his response. I wouldn't blame him for being mad at me for everything right now. I would deserve it.

Atlas: What, the little show you saw this morning? It wasn’t your fault we were fucking in the kitchen. Sorry about the impromptu breakfast show you witnessed this morning.

He only mentioned the first event of this morning, not the other. Did Maizyn not tell him about what I said?

Gavin: It’s your house, no need to apologize.

Atlas: When will you be back? I was going to talk to Maizyn about everything that happened last night, and her panic attack, but she insisted that since you were dragged into the middle of it, you deserve to know. She refuses to say the shit twice. Her exact words.

Gavin: I can be back in about an hour.

Atlas: Okay cool.

I pack up my things, check out of the hotel, then load my car and drive back to Atlas’ house. I have the sinking feeling in my gut that I am walking into a trap.

Chapter Eight

Gavin

I grab my bags and laptop from the backseat of the car when I arrive back at the house. I twist the knob, my anxiety spiking immediately as it turns freely in my hand. The front door is unlocked. That's not going to be a thing. I'm going to assume it’s only unlocked because Atlas knew I was heading here, but still. I will make sure to get a key made, or we can upgrade to a fingerprint scanner- whatever I need to do to make sure this door stays locked. Maizyn was already kidnapped once and while I know the threat was taken care of, there is no reason to take any chances. There is no way to know if someone will randomly decide to target this house. Locking the door is the bare minimum. Shit, I'm ranting. I know my fear may be a bit irrational. My mom was severely injured in a house robbery when I was a kid. The robber gained easy entry because the door was unlocked. It’s not something I can change. I know the likelihood is slim, yet the fear always remains. I take a deep breath as I walk inside, trying to tamp down the irrational panic that an unlocked door brings me. Luck seems to be on my side because no one is here to witness my almost spiral.

Perfect. Maybe I can get a shower and decompress before we discuss everything that happened. I can’t lie and say I am not anxious about Maizyn or Atlas bringing up the fact I kissed her last night. No matter how many times I tell myself it was platonic, I only did it to help her; it’s not the entire truth. I can’t stop thinking about her lips on mine. I drag my thumb across my bottom lip at the ghost of the memory.

My feet carry me through the house on autopilot. I bypass the kitchen, heading down the hall to the guest room. I toss my bags onto the bed before rummaging around for something to wear. Maybe I will be able to think clearly if I am in my own clothes. I settle on a pair of boxer briefs, grey sweatpants, and a black shirt and head to the bathroom down the hall. I pass Atlas and Maizyn's room on the way to the bathroom, and stop in my tracks. The door is cracked open far enough to see inside, where she is currently standing in front of Atlas with a blindfold in her hand. My feet carry me a little closer to the door. I know it’s not my business, and I shouldn’t be spying on them, yet a burning feeling in my stomach tells me I need to see what happens next. I get as close to the door as I can without giving myself away.

I am wedged against the wall beside the door frame when I hear Atlas say, “What are you doing, Darling Chaos?”

“Just trust the process, okay?” She twirls her finger, motioning for him to turn around. He mumbles something under his breath as he turns for her. She has to stand on her tiptoes to fasten it correctly. “Okay. You can turn back around now.”

“What is this for?”

“I saw someone do this on social media, so I wanted to try it.” She responds hesitantly.

“Not sure it makes me feel any better about being blindfolded right now.” He grumbles.

“It’s nothing bad. It’s like a booktok thing. The girl puts a blindfold on the guy and tries to see if he knows her body well enough to give her a hand necklace without being able to see.”