Never Been Loved(79)

“Bloody hell, when are you going to let me help you? I brought you a plate of food. I didn’t tell anyone you were diabetic – not that it fraking matters.”

“It matters to me,” Goddamn it, it matters. “And your fucking hand is broken because of me.”

“How do you think this was about you? Tommy was being a dick to me, I hit him because he’s a giant asshole.”

Man, I wish I was outside. I would’ve loved to have seen his face. Did he bleed? I hope he has shiners for the next year.

“That fucker wouldn’t’ve made that comment if I didn’t need food. Or if he didn’t want to get into your pants.”

She actually snorts, like she doesn’t believe it.

The signs were all there. The fucker made absolutely sure that I would be in the dog house tonight, probably counting on shock and awe that I wouldn’t say anything. Or maybe the endgame was for me to beat him up and Sera to hate me for doing it. Either way, he lost. He doesn’t know what Sera is really like at all.

“Right. Tommy wants to get into my pants. Like that makes sense.” She snorts again. “He’s just like that –always.”

“With everyone?”

“Uh...yeah.”

“Only with you, right? Not with your girl, Katie. He wouldn’t dare say something like that in front of her man, now would he?”

“Katie doesn’t have a man at the moment, so your argument is invalid.”

I press my cheek to the top of her head and can’t help but smile. Damn, she makes me laugh.

“I was the trigger. You got embarrassed because of me.”

Sera holds her breath. “I got embarrassed because you were there. I didn’t want them to presume something that hasn’t happened.”

Okay, she doesn’t want them to know that we could have slept together. Fine and dandy. She likes her privacy. Nothing wrong with that. But I’m still not getting it.

“How does that translate into you bringing me a plate of food?”

“I don’t know if you get this, but all our parents are immigrants – we’re first generation Montrealers. Means that there are certain rules and traditions we’re all trying to break free of. The guys, they like to pull ‘the woman stays in the kitchen’ card, I think because it drives me up the wall, and I seriously think about places to hide bodies whenever they bring it up.

“I don’t bring them plates of food – like, ever. They make a kitchen comment, or how whatever I bake or cook is not up to scratch I get downright bitch-tastic. So, surprise, surprise, I bring you a plate without any coercion.”

“So it’s the presumption that bothers you.” I try not to make it sound like a question. Has she met my mother? She doesn’t know how to cook.

“Exactly. I don’t mind bringing you a plate of food – you don’t expect that from me, and you appreciated it, even if you couldn’t tell me. I punched Tommy because he implied that what I did for you was relegated to a good roll in the sack. He belittled what you needed from me – and that’s what made me punch him and ruined a perfect Saturday night.”

“Looks like I’m going to have to show you how to throw a punch.” Fuck, play-wrestling with Sera and letting her win so we can both win later? Can we get some sheets involved, too?

“I don’t think I’m going to punch anyone ever again for as long as I live.”

“Just so you know, I don’t think women belong in the kitchen. You’ve met my mom – the lady has never stepped foot in a kitchen for other than a glass of wine her entire life. Neither did my sister. My life would have been a lot different otherwise.”

“You have a sister?”

Motherfucking piece of shit. You’re going to lay that on her now? When she’s in pain? Yeah, go ahead. That’ll be the perfect way to end the night. Deflect, moron!

“Yeah, I did, baby. She was sweet, and good, but she could be fucked up. I...I wasn’t a good brother to her.”

“I don’t think that’s true, Hunt.”

I don’t say anything. I don’t believe her.

“Still believe I’m amazing?” I ask, staring down at the floor. I’m glad she can’t see me.

“Yeah, I do.” She doesn’t even hesitate. Who is this girl?

“Keep believing that, okay, baby? No matter what happens.” Please.

I wind my arm tighter against her, getting her closer to me. I like where she is, tight against my chest, head resting over my heart, Matty on top of her. We’re like a … family. I haven’t felt like I had a family in the longest time.

“I can’t make that promise, Hunt.”