Page 22 of Perfect Chaos

I place the raw chicken onto a cutting board and begin slicing it into smaller chunks, not looking at him when I answer. “I just wanted the chance to thank you.”

“Thank me for what?”

I quickly season the meat before dropping the pieces of chicken into the hot skillet with a small bit of oil, buying myself a few seconds to try to figure out how I want to start this conversation. “For everything with Maizyn. For calling me and taking care of her when you found her. For bringing her out of her shell today at the store. It means a lot.”

“You don't have to thank me, man. She is important to you. You're my brother, so she is important to me.”

I glance at him from the corner of my eye before grabbing the tortilla press and plugging it in to preheat it. “Is that the only reason you care about her?”

“Yeah, why else would I?” His confidence wavers a bit as the words leave his lips. He doesn’t believe them any more than I do.

“No reason, just curious. Can you grab the shredded cheese out of the fridge for me?”

He walks past me to get to the fridge without saying a word. He pauses for a moment as if he doesn't know how to navigate this conversation before opening the fridge and rummaging around, pulling out the bag of cheese and tossing it on the counter next to me. “How is she doing, by the way? With everything?”

“Honestly? I don't really know. She keeps saying she is fine, but I am not dumb enough to actually believe that. I know she is far from okay; she just refuses to talk to me.”

“You ever think about having her talk to a professional?”

“What, like a therapist?”

“Yeah, or a psychiatrist."

“There is no way in hell she will go for that.”

“It's just a thought.”

“Maybe she would talk to me?”He sounds skeptical.

I pause for a moment, really thinking about his offer. I know it’s not an offer he would make if he didn’t think there was a chance it would work. “I doubt it, but I wouldn’t be opposed to you trying.”

“No promises, but I will see what I can do. She is not always the biggest fan of me.” His words sound a bit like disappointment. It’s an odd emotion from him.

“I am not sure if I agree with you.” It’s impossible to hide the amusement in my voice.

“What do you mean?” His eyes spark with interest, his head tilting to the side in question.

“Just-

“Smells good. What did I miss?”

My hand freezes suspended in the air at the sound of her voice. I didn't expect her to be ready so fast. Whatever I was about to say is completely forgotten when I look at her. Fuck, she is gorgeous. She is wearing one of her plaid skater skirts paired with fishnets and a grey t-shirt that has been cut and altered to hang off one shoulder. She is still wearing those yellow sunglasses and managed to find yellow Chucks that match them perfectly.

It's Gavin who speaks up, “Nothing, you're just in time. Dinner is almost done.”

That snaps me back to focus on the current conversation as I finally find my words. “Yeah, have a seat at the counter. The chicken is done already. I just have to press them and melt the cheese, then we can eat.”

“Good, I'm starving.”

She and Gavin slide onto the kitchen barstools as I finish making the food. I slide a plate in front of them both before climbing onto the barstool between them.

Chapter Fourteen

Maizyn

Elixirs seems extra busy tonight, yet the boys' booth sits empty when we arrive. It's odd. You would think it was reserved for them only, but I guess people pick up on things like that. If you see someone at the same booth every Saturday night for years, it probably becomes second nature not to sit in it. It makes me miss Pages. I miss having a place that was mine to go to. I miss Mrs Carter, too. One of her blueberry muffins sounds so good right now. I know I should probably call her soon to check in but I know I won't be able to lie to her if she asks if I am doing fine.

Distractions can solve a lot of things, though. If I don’t have time to think about it, then the issues don’t exist. If I stay out of my own head, the memories or lack thereof, can't plague me. I am sitting at the bar trying to talk myself out of getting a drink. I learned that alcohol is not my friend either. My walls dissolve when I drink.