The sounds of the house make a melody around me, and the lack of do-ing is magical.
When did I last just chill?
The question brings up all the things I’ve been doing, the moments where things calmed down, but purposeful nothing? I honestly don’t remember. Too many jobs, classes, skills to learn, and dangers to avoid take up my recent memory. But with the ice in my veins, I have no urge to do anything. To go. To scrape and build, form and dodge, run and dance.
A smile curls across my face against the rise and fall of RJ’s chest, and with the steady beat of his heart under my ear, it’s clear. This is what I need. Truly, honestly, need.
Rest.
When Jansen finally wanders out, RJ, Walker, and I are piled on the couch, watchingLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which I’ve never seen before. It’s messier than I thought it would be, but I’m loving Walker’s suggestion. And because it’s a little more removed from the work the guys do, they seem to enjoy it too.
“Movie day? Nice,” Jansen says, before laying on top of me, sprawling his legs across Walker’s lap and his head in RJ’s.
“You’re ridiculous,” RJ says, pushing him upright and off him. This leaves Jansen to curl into my lap like the world’s most over-sized cat.
He doesn’t stay like that for long though, as it’s obviously uncomfortable, so he slides down to the floor, resting his head on one of my knees. “I take it today’s a lazy day?”
“That’s the plan,” I say, stroking my fingers through his hair.
“Will that work for you?” RJ asks him.
The question itself has me looking between them.
“One day won’t hurt,” Jansen answers.
And the answer has concern flashing through my apathy.
He hasn’t been doing well. I’ve seen it. And I’m not the only one. One day is okay, but tomorrow? He stole jewels and watches just a few days ago. And cars all the week before.
At some point, we’re going to run out of things to steal. And as much as I don’t want to turn my mind to my problems, Trips’ dad has enough on us that breaking his rules, breaking the law, could have dire consequences.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow I can talk to Jansen and see what we can do.
“Hey, when is your sister coming to town?” I ask instead.
“Next weekend. Why?”
“Weren’t we going to set her up with Emma?”
Walker laughs beside me, and RJ rolls his eyes. “You guys are matchmakers now?” he asks.
Jansen spins, facing us instead of the TV. “This wasn’t me. Or Clara. It was Emma. And it can’t hurt to introduce them.”
RJ’s face turns thoughtful. “Has your sister heard from her stalker lately? You know we decided the next time, you’d let me know, and we’d see if we could track the guy down.”
“I haven’t heard anything, but she usually gets something around Christmas. I can check.”
RJ nods, and Walker tugs me so my head is in his lap. “I thought we were watching a movie?” he teases. Then he leans down, his breath warm on my ear. “These guys don’t know how to take a break.”
“They’re not the only ones. But you’re right. Today only, no work talk. No side projects, no new skills, no problems that need solving. Just fun.”
“What kind of fun?” Jansen asks.
“I was planning on starting with a movie,” I hedge.
But I can’t lie to these guys. I can’t even be evasive. They know me too well. “And then?” Walker asks, his grin shifting into something greedy.
“And then, I thought we might spend some time together.”
