We’re doing it for the sake of inconveniencing him, of course, but the jock-ass deserved it.
If Cosette is too nice, too forgiving, we’ll be the ones to put the extra hurdle between him and her forgiveness.
“I don’t know. I can smell beef brisket, though,” Siege suddenly said, and I don’t even know how he identified that scent that I could smell too, but I just went along with it.
Nero sighed, regarding him before he nodded, then he left to head back inside without another word.
As Siege and I were finally alone, I leaned in close and asked, “Why do you know the smell of their beef brisket?”
“It’s a long story. The short version is that he uses it as a peace offering. And it’s heavenly,” Siege answered, closing his eyes, and I saw how his nostrils widened like he was taking in the brisket’s smell.
Well, damn. Now, I want to taste it, too.
6
NERO
Aman walked into a house with a beef brisket in a plastic container in his hands.
It’s not the start of a joke; it was just my reality right now.
“Guys! I think my tempura came out grea?—”
Cosette’s words trailed off when she peered at the front door, her surprise evident as she saw me standing there with her two lovers.
“What is he doing here?” She asked the two men behind me, her expression turning to one of annoyance, her lips pursing, and she even put down the plate that she was holding with her successful tempura.
“I came here to apologize,” I said in the gentlest voice I could muster, and I didn’t appreciate how the two nudged me forward as if they were too scared to get closer to her right now.
Why are they scared when I’m the one she’s mad at?
“Dex showed me the texts that were on Andy’s conversation with Eli, and I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, C. You’ve been nothing but truthful to me, and I always doubt you because I always chose to believe Andy. I’m sorry.”
“The brisket,” I could hear Siege behind me whisper with a fake cough, and I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. I wasn’t about to contest his suggestion, though. I didn’t like seeing C angry, so I offered her the Tupperware container with my mom’s beef brisket.
C’s eyes landed on my peace offering, then over my shoulder to look at her guys, and only when she raised an eyebrow at them did they move from behind me towards her.
Dex even came so far as to wrap his arms around her from behind, before talking directly into her ear. “Evidence was presented. Peace offerings were offered. What do you say we just eat now and you accept the apology from the jock-ass?”
I could tell he was proud of that pun with the way he enunciated each syllable.
That got C to soften though, as she met his eyes and laughed softly at the wordplay. “Good one,” she mumbled to Dex and, goddamn, he looked like he was given a major award or something with how happy he looked at her praise.
My judgmental thoughts were cut off as C’s eyes suddenly bore into mine, and I locked in, wanting to hear her out fully this time. Whatever C says from here on? I’m believing every single one.
She could tell me pigs started flying outside, and I wouldn’t look out a window.
“You’re forgiven. I hoped you had more trust in me that you didn’t have to wait for my boyfriend to hack into Andy’s phone.” At that, she paused, looking at Dex as if she knew exactly how he had been able to get said evidence. Dex had the audacity to lean down and kiss her cheek before she turned to look back atme, continuing. “But I get it. You’ve known Andy for as long as you’ve known me. I should’ve figured it wasn’t easy for you to decide who to believe.”
I shook my head, not wanting to hear her excuse my actions for my sake. “No. I was wrong, and I didn’t learn from the multiple lies she’s told me. I’ll make it up to you, C.”
And there it was.
The signature Cosette smile.
I knew then that we would be okay as she placed the food I brought on the countertop, and I walked to her, knowing what she’d want next.
A hug.
