“Besides, you cook for me more often than she does.”
My guard snapped up. “Nobody’s forcing you to eat it.”
Dominic rolled his eyes. “Simmer down, Shadow. That wasn’t a criticism. I’m…grateful.”
My nose scrunched. “Why would you be grateful? I’m not an idiot. My food is edible but that’s about it.”
“Yeah, well…when it’s that or nothing, you learn to be grateful for it.”
Distantly, I could hear soapy water hitting the floor, but I paid it no heed. “What?”
He shrugged again, giving the pan he was drying far more attention than it required. “Nothing.”
It didn’t sound like nothing. I searched for the right thing to say. “Like…your dad doesn’t cook for you? Do you need me to give you some lessons?”
He snorted. “Fuck no. I’m not incapable. Just forget it.”
“No.” I stepped closer to him. “I don’t think I can.”
Dominic frowned down. “You’re dripping on me.”
“Don’t care.” I didn’t. I could barely hear past the buzzing in my ears. “What did you mean, Dom?”
He sighed dramatically. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Fine.” He snatched up another plate, scrubbing at it forcefully. “Sometimes there’s no food in. I do what I can with my wages from the chippy, but…”
My stomach flipped. “That’s why you eat here so often.”
He flushed. “I mean, it’s a benefit, but it’s mainly because of Max.”
Of course it was. I took a step back, plunging my hands back into the hot water.
We stood in silence, me washing, him drying.
When we were done, I watched the water swirl as it disappeared down the drain. It was an apt metaphor for how I’d been feeling these past few weeks. All spun up and sinking.“There’ll always be a meal here for you, Dominic. You don’t need to explain or ask. I’ll always make enough for you.”
His hand rose, hovering near my shoulder. “Ry, I?—”
The back door slammed open and Max strode in. “Dominic, you’re here. Good. Wanna game?”
“Sure.” Dominic’s hand dropped as he turned his back on me. “I was waiting for you to get back.”
Just like that, he disappeared from the room. The moment between us may as well have never happened. Hell, I may as well not have existed for all the attention Dom gave me before leaving.
Why was I surprised that Dominic was ditching me as soon as Max appeared? Of course he was just killing time until the person he really wanted to be around showed up. I was nothing more than a distraction.
It shouldn’t have hurt. This was how it had always been with the two of them. Unless there was a girl in the picture, they didn’t give a shit about anyone else.
Well, I wasn’t a girl.
And Dominic didn’t give a shit about me.
It shouldn’t have hurt.
It shouldn’t.
