His brows rise in surprise. “Yeah?” He looks down at his steak, and for a moment, I think he’s embarrassed. “It’s a family recipe.” His trademark grin appears. “If I told you, I’d have to kiss you.”
I pause mid-chew. “You mean you’d have to kill me.”
His grin grows. His eyes train on my lips. “Nope, I’d have to kiss you.”
Ignoring my racing heart’s ‘yes, please!’ and tummy’s flutters, I roll my eyes and chuckle. “You’re a dork.” Thinking more about Ceecee, I nod and state confidently, “I’m excited to try something new with Ceecee. And if those things don’t work, I’ll keep looking. There are a lot of options out there. There’s bound to be at least one thing she’ll take to. If it’s out there, I’ll find it.”
The sound of a chair screeching makes my ears bleed. Suddenly, I’m lifted out of my chair and off the ground. His arms wrap tightly around me and pull me close. Chest to stomach, I breathe him in. I lightly snake my arms around his toned middle and rub his back. He breathes into my ear, “You’re amazing.”
My light squeeze becomes firm. This should feel awkward, but it doesn’t. Not at all. I love the feel of him, the smell of him. Just him. I tell him honestly, “We’ll figure this out. Together.”
He holds me a long moment before he responds a hesitant and quiet, “Good, ‘cause I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.”
My arms squeeze, offering him comfort and support. I pull away and smile up at him. “I’m starved.”
His eyes warm. “Let’s eat.”
***
Helena
Growing up with two older sisters was hell some days. If we weren’t fighting over makeup and clothes, Nat and I were fighting over boys and friends. My parents never stepped in until we were tearing each other’s hair out, literally. Nina acted as judge and jury, and Nat acted as executioner. Being the youngest meant I was always blamed for things at home. This was because my parents could never stand to be mad at me.
I was the baby. And cute as hell. But even though my sisters got me into trouble, we were a team. I’d take the blame for something one of my sisters did, and then later that night, I’d get three times the dessert in thank you. We sure weren’t the Brady Bunch, but we had a lot of fun tearing into each other. We laughed a lot in our house. Although all three of us girls are hot-headed, we got over things quickly and always made time to laugh with each other. We gave affection freely amongst each other, mostly in private.
If you messed with my sisters, you messed with me. I was never afraid to get physical to avenge my sisters in one way or another. I remember one day, Nina, Nat, and I all came home from school late. We were all bleeding from a fist fight after school involving the girlfriend of a football player who kissed Nat over the weekend. The girl was devastated. She was in love. I get it; I do. Nat stayed after school to talk to her about it, to ease the tension. The douche had told Nat he’d broken up with his girlfriend. He knew Nat liked him, so he played her like a violin.
It was only on Monday when Nat got to school and everyone was whispering and giggling behind her back. She knew something was up. Amanda Adelaide Christiansen, head cheerleader and blonde bimbo, was waiting for her by her locker. She greeted Nat with a smirk. When she stepped forward and slapped Nat across the face, Nat didn’t flinch.
Come on. Seriously? It was on. Like Donkey Kong.
Nevertheless, Nat still wanted to talk to the girl, but when she showed up and six members of the cheer squad were waiting for her, we knew where it was heading. Nina and I stepped in. Nat followed suit.
We knocked ‘em on their asses.
Of course, we were all suspended but it was totally worth it. We walked home laughing and smiling, bonding over our bruised faces and split lips. As soon as we came home, Mom lost it. She grounded us and we accepted our fate. There was no point in arguing. Later that night, Mom sent Dad in to talk to us. He was pissed. We were petrified. My dad never got angry. As in, never. So when he shut the door behind him and searched our faces, we knew we were in deep shit.
“The others…they look like you?”
Nina choked on a laugh. “Much worse.”
Nat and I bit our lips to stop our own laughter from joining hers. But Nina quickly straightened, remembering we were in deep doo-doo.
But Dad asked, “You punch like I show you?” We all nodded, confused, not knowing what the hell was going on. Dad smiled and lowered his heavily accented voice. “Mama send me in here to scare you, you know? She is very upset. Girls should no come home bloody.”
We all nodded. “Yes, Tata.”
He shook his head, chuckling to himself. When he reached the door, he turned and spoke softly, “You must block better.” He smiled then added, “I show you how. Tomorrow.”
There sure never was a dull moment at our house. I never realized living the way I did, with two older sisters, gave me a life skill I never knew I’d need. I have an insane ability to take and dish attitude without blinking an eye. Who knew I’d need that ability to deal with a thirteen-year-old paraplegic? I really should thank them. My sisters, that is.
Nah. Fuck ‘em.
Today was my first day of unassisted work. Just because it was unassisted, it didn’t mean I wasn’t supervised. For the next week, James will watch over me to make sure I’m doing everything I should be, but then it’s all me.
After today’s sessions were over, James pulled me aside to tell me how much of a great job I was doing. Personally, I felt like I was doing okay. Not great, but okay. Having him tell me how impressed he is with me was definitely something I needed. And although I wanted to hug him, instead, I rubbed his bald head for luck. He laughed and playfully shoved me away. My heart warmed. It was nice to have my friend back.
Felicity took me out to lunch and tried to get Willa to come along too, but she kindly refused. I told Felicity about The White Rabbit. She told me she’d always wanted to go, and invited herself along this Saturday. Somehow, I don’t think Felicity is the type of person who needs an invitation.
I asked Nat to pick me up after work. As we reach our destination, I punch her arm. “Thanks for picking me up.”
Flinching, she rubs her arm and responds, “No problem, bitch. And ouch!”
I grin and murmur, “Oh, toughen up, princess.”
Nat pulls over in front of the house. “You know what you’re doing?”