Page 53 of On His Team

Lucy gives him a look. “It was a quesadilla.”

“That’s definitely not dinner,” he says as they walk into the kitchen.

Gianna drops her backpack beside the island and starts pulling her hoodie off. “Thank you for asking her, Benson, because I’m starving. I could eat an entire cow right now.”

I look down at the steak and offer, “You can have some of mine.”

The kitchen goes quiet.

Stanley and Blue glare at me.

Stanley blinks. “I’m sorry?”

Gianna looks between us. “What happened?”

“He just told me no,” Stanley says like a starving animal.

I say, “You asked me to cook for you.”

“No. I asked you to share.” Stanley blinks at me again.

Blue points toward the pan. “He said no.”

Gianna looks at me.

I shrug. “They’re being dramatic.”

Stanley pushes away from the counter. “You’re giving her your steak.”

I shrug. “She just spent three days working for us.”

Stanley throws his hands towards her. “That’s her job.”

Gianna comes around the island and leans slightly over the pan. “How much steak are we talking?”

I look at it. “Half.”

Her eyebrows lift, satisfied. “Half?”

Behind her, Stanley makes a dying sound. I ignore him.

Gianna points at the vegetables. “And those?”

I nod. “Yeah. And the potatoes have six minutes.”

She considers this like we’re negotiating a contract. “Sold.”

Stanley throws both hands in the air. “Unbelievable.”

Gianna looks over her shoulder. “Are you mad because I’m eating?”

“I’m mad because apparently there are tiers.”

“There are definitely tiers.” Blue nods in agreement.

I turn to him. “Can we eat in peace?”

Stanley grins, mocking me with a childish face, and heads back toward the couch. Blue follows him, still muttering something about betrayal.