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Chapter 18
Summer 2001
Willow
Casey’s been gone a long time, and I’m wondering if he plans to come back. I couldn’t help but laugh as Russ meandered around the kitchen, attempting to throw together something for dinner. He was whistling, and it had that creepy scary movie vibe like when the killer is looking for the good guys. “You like crab, right?” Russ turned and held up a package of crabcakes.
“Sure.” I shrugged as he grinned. “What am I missing here?”
“Casey hates these suckers.” He snickered as he searched for a pan. “Gonna be a good night,” he mused before pulling some broccoli from the freezer.
“You are way too happy.” I laughed. “I love it.”
“He came down here uninvited. He’s going to get a dinner to remember.” He pushed a few buttons on the stove and after it beeped, he began prepping everything.
“It’s gonna stink in here.” I sighed.
“Yep. We’ll sleep outside tonight. Those loungers make a nice bed if you pull them together.” He tossed the broccoli in a pot to steam.
“Where’s Casey gonna sleep?” I giggled.
“In his old room. Right above the kitchen. Where all the smell is going to go.” Russ grinned.
“You’re terrible.” I shook my head. It was in that moment that Casey opened the door.
“You’re back. I missed you.” I stood and pretended to hug him.
“Do you want me to leave and let you two have the place to yourselves?” Russ growled.
“She came over to me.” Casey stepped back as if I was going to burn him.
“Why don’t you go in the kitchen and finish cooking.” I shooed him away.
“What are you cooking?” Casey sounded wary.
“Dinner,” Russ snapped. “And you’re going to eat it, and shut up.” He pointed the knife he was holding at us.
“Easy, bro.” Casey’s eyes swung between us. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but there’s nothing to worry about here.”
“Nothing?” I scoffed. “You mean you don’t think I’m pretty?” My head rotated in his direction.
“That’s not what I meant.” Casey’s mouth opened and closed a few times.
“Well, what did you mean?” Russ joined in.
“Yeah.” I frowned.
“I mean, I like you as a friend. You’re my brother’s girl, and I would never get in the middle of that, and god damnit are you making crabcakes?” He curled his lip.
“Yep.” Russ turned and went back to the stove.
“I had convinced myself to stay and work things out for you two, but crabcakes are the last straw, bro. You know I hate those fuckers.” He tossed his hands in the air and started to walk away.
“Wait.” I couldn’t do it anymore. I started laughing uncontrollably, and grabbed Casey’s arm. “We’re just…messing with…you,” I gasped as I continued to laugh.
“What?” He glared at Russ. “This was all a joke?” He scoffed.
“And you fell for it hook, line, and sinker.” Russ slapped his thigh as he pointed the knife at Casey again. “We ARE having crabcakes though.” He turned back to the oven to check on our dinner. “You crashed on me.” He shrugged as he removed the pan, and set it on the counter.
