AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And you’ve known… oh, forget it. Never mind.”
“Paradox,” Killian sighed heavily. “Dude, what is going on in your head?”
“I’m fine.”
“I didn’t ask that…”
“I don’t need you to solve my problems when you have your own issues to handle – and I don’t mean it rudely, but it’s a little unsettling to hear that…”
Paradox got quiet again – and then cursed under his breath.
“You don’t talk to Mallory anymore – do you?” the other man said in a hushed voice and Killian stared at him in surprise, resisting the urge to smile.
“I’ve known Mallory since she was twelve,” Killian began. “She used to come over and play with my sister, Everly, when we were growing up. Do I talk to her? Not much. I mean, its barely a distant friendship. I know the woman and can hold a conversation – but I do not go out of my way to talk to Mallory or reach out to her, if that is what you are asking.”
“Keep it that way,” Paradox said bluntly, like the words were being ripped from somewhere deep inside of him as he glared at Killian, shocked at the vehemence in the other man… right before Paradox shrugged.
“… Or don’t. I don’t care.”
Suuure you don’t, buddy…he thought wildly in amazement.
“I’m not talking to Mallory because of Destiny – and I’m not interested in her. She’s like a kid sister.”
“Doesn’t matter to me,” Paradox repeated once more, pressing the button to lean back his seat on the plane.
“If I do talk to her…” Killian began and couldn’t help the jab as the man tensed beside him. “Do you want me to tell her something? Should I drop a hint for you or brag about what a nice guy you are?”
“I’m not nice,” Paradox said candidly, not even bothering to open his eyes as he sat there unmoving, and there was a distinct pause in the air. “Tell her I like my cookies fat and weird.”
“What?” Killian laughed. “What does that mean?”
“Oh man… have you never had ‘The Pudge’?”
“Are you speaking another language?”
“My sister, June, sends them occasionally.”
“You have a sister?”Killian gaped in shock, stunned by this revelation. “I didn’t know you had a sister.”
“I have a mother and father, too,” Paradox retorted. “Did you think I came from a cabbage patch? Of course, I have a family.”
“No, but…”
“It’s not like we share a lot about our personal lives – and probably need to keep it that way. I mean, Maestro pushed your buttons talking about your sister and now they are talking.”
“Well, your sister is certainly safe – because I’m married and not looking.”
“Good,” Paradox hesitated and looked at him. “June’s widowed and not in a good place right now. I went to see her when you took off one day with your own sister. She’s trying to move on and still having a rough time getting over Mark’s death. He was my best friend in high school.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too,” the other man said quietly. “The Pudge is a massive cookie, hence the ‘fat and weird’comment, because that is the name of the company. June sends one when she closes on a deal – and usually sends me one for my birthday or on a holiday. I love those stupid cookies.”
Killian couldn’t help but chuckle at hearing something so normal from Paradox – because the guy was truly a strange man.
“Fat and weird… I’ll pass it along.”
“Do or don’t – it’s no big deal.”
