Oran
“Carlyle . . . ” Standing on the sidewalk, I ran my free hand through my hair roughly, and awkwardness burrowed deep into my chest. “What’s up?”
“It’s been a while, Oran. How are you doing? How’s Seattle treating you?” Briefly covering my frown with the back of my hand, I took off my glasses as I sat down on the stoop of my apartment. To be honest, it was more like a triplex, but . . . shaking my head at the distraction, I took a breath as anxiety curdled my blood.
“I’m okay. I’m doing alright. Actually, I just saw Natasha the other day at Dr. Laura’s. That was a pleasant surprise. Did Candice get back to you, yet?” I didn’t really want to believe Carlyle was calling me just to check on me, and I clenched my teeth hard. “I haven’t heard from her in a few days, myself.”
“I did. She’s still combing through the information Jerry sent her, but I find it hard to believe Diamon’s plan would be so damn obvious.” Pausing as a car swerved to park in front of my place, I shuffled as the pizza guy emerged with his bag. Gesturing at my door absently, I waited until he strode past me before speaking up.
“Carlyle, I don’t want to be paranoid, but who the hell is so stupid?”
“Well, according to Candice, they’re really that stupid. From her report, taking a boat down the river was a good idea, and the event went off without much fuss, but the downside to that is we’re no closer to finding out why we’re being bombarded.” I cupped my chin and Carlyle hummed as the line crackled. “Of course, there’s always the nuisance value of it, and maybe there’s no ‘why’ or plan. Maybe Diamon is just taking shots into the dark.”
“That’s a lot of ‘maybes’, but they’re all plausible. From what I know from working under Dad, ever since the old man started to lose his mind, things for them have gone downhill fast.” Carlyle was great at the big picture. I sat back a little to inhale the lingering scent of pizza. The guy swept past me onto the sidewalk and I turned to find May staring at me from the open doorway. “So, let me know if you need anything, but I have to go.”
“I will. And Oran?” Standing up only to pause, I frowned when Carlyle hesitated, and my chest tightened as blood drummed in my ears. “I hope you’re doing okay.”
“Me too. I’ll talk to you later.” Climbing the few steps to the walkway between the U-shaped building, I slid my phone in my pocket and trained my gaze on May. Holding the two medium pizzas, she leaned against the door frame with a confused expression on her face. “What?”
“Were you just going to sit out here until I let you back in?” Nodding, I stuffed my hands in my pockets with a slight shrug, and May frowned as her eyes flashed hazel. “Why?”
“What does that mean—why? I thought you’d want the space considering what I just heaped on you, May. It was just good timing, I thought, that I had that phone call.” May licked her lips nervously, but I had no idea what else I was supposed to say. “I’ll have a car come pick you up if you want to leave.”
“Where am I supposed to go? I mean, Sarah’s elbow deep in a dead bird right now, so I can’t go home.”But you don’t want to stay here.The unspoken words hung heavily between us, and I held her gaze as the anxiety flooding my system intensified. For a long moment, May just stared, and my heart beat harder and harder until she turned to retreat into my apartment. My cheek twitched when she left the door open and I silently debated my options before following her.
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to take that.” Perching herself on the sofa, May set the boxes on the coffee table, and I stood by the arm rest as she sighed heavily. “Today has just been a rollercoaster of things I’d never thought I’d see or hear.”
“Does it make you nervous, knowing?” The probe made her still and I inhaled a shallow breath as May busied herself with opening the top box. “May, you don’t owe me anything. I know I haven’t exactly been a divine blessing on your life. It’s entirely understandable if you’re too fed up with me.”
“I just . . . this is not what I imagined I’d learn when I called you, okay. I wish I hadn’t asked about Kara. I’m not gonna make that mistake again.” I rolled my jaw at that and my legs stiffened as I sat on the arm rest of the sofa. Holding her forehead in her palms, May blew out a breath, and I frowned darkly as an ugliness spread across my chest. “Right now, I just want to eat and sleep. And, like, throw up at the idea of what catastrophe is going on at my apartment right now. Let’s talk about something else. Who was that girl who called you just before? Did you have plans?”
“Who, Natasha? She’s my brother’s girlfriend’s sister, and she’s an even more rough subject to talk about. I would not suggest barking up that tree.” May shot me the most withering glare imaginable and my mouth dried as I held up my hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. I haven’t spent any time with her, but, as I said, she’s my brother’s girlfriend’s sister, so we know of each other. She’s also married, so don’t get any ideas that I’m interested in her.”
“I never said you were interested in her. Why would being married mean she’s unavailable? People cheat all the time.” May wasitchingfor a fight, about everything, about anything, and I frowned under furrowed brows. There were a few reasons she was wrong, but I sure as fuck wasn’t going to tell her anything about Natasha right now. Carefully picking up a slice of pepperoni, she huffed as I struggled to find an appropriate response.
“Why would I be interested in her when I’m interested in you?”That sounds alright, right?May froze, mouth open, pizza poised, and I committed the picture to memory before she tilted her head at me. “Trust me, May. Even if I was, she’s not capable of cheating. Do you have so little faith in relationships? Did someone cheat on you in the past?”
“Yeah. It happened in college. Who would’ve thought a liberal arts major had the spine, huh?” My brows rose at that and May stuffed the tip of her slice in her mouth with a soft groan. “This is so good.”
“So, you have a sister for a daughter, a job you hate, a guy you can’t make up your mind about, and parents who don’t give a shit.”
“Don’t forget a dead bird in my sink.” Mumbling around her mouthful, May scrunched up her face in disgust, and I nodded firmly. Amusement clung to my ribs like tar while she took another big bite and hummed in satisfaction.
“Of course not. I’m just saying I understand your cynicism about everything, but if I wasn’t interested in you, I sure as shit wouldn’t go after someone as unstable as Natasha. And even if I tried, she’s not staying in Seattle. She’s just here to help get herself on a good med combination.”
“Oh-h-h . . . so it’s just an availability concern. It’s a good thing I live fifteen minutes away.” Cocking my head, I frowned as my eyes narrowed into slits, and May glared weakly at me in challenge.
“Don’t do this, May. You’re going to regret it.” I didn’t get it— I was trying to help her and she was picking a fight. I could’ve just stayed outside if May was going to be a bitch. Her glare didn’t drop before I sighed heavily. “May, please drop it. This is not a conversation you want to continue. Just eat your pizza and I’ll turn on the TV and grab you some wine. Sound good?”
“Don’t try to placate me. I’m allowed to be miserable right now.” Pursing my lips thinly, I kept my mouth shut, and she took another bite before I wandered into the kitchen.
Rubbing my neck and rolling my shoulders, a frown plastered on my face as I pulled open the stainless-steel refrigerator. May was having a terrible day and I’d made it worse by adding that confession.I can’t be too upset.
