“Keys.” I held out my hand and waited for Trish to hand them over. I went out the front door to her car and grabbed my purse, digging out a ten‐dollar bill to pay back Abel.
“Running away?” His deep voice called from the porch, and I jumped as he chuckled.
“No,” I snapped, and slammed the car door shut. I marched back across the gravel toward him with my hand extended. “I was getting the money I owe you.”
He shook his head as he blew out a cloud of smoke and didn’t make any move to take the money. “You think if I had taken Trish with me this morning, she would have brought you food?”
My arm dropped to my side as I wondered what he was getting at. “She’s too hungover to think clearly.” I held out the money again as I tried to forget about her claim on Abel just a few minutes ago after I had made sure she was fed.
“Call it even. You’re going to feed me spaghetti, remember?”
I sighed as I tried not to look frustrated. “There is no spaghetti. Are you happy now?” I rolled my eyes and folded my arms over my chest.
“So the truth comes out.” His voice was laced with humor as he stared out at the yard.
“Yup. You caught me. I’m a big fat liar. Will you take the stupid money, so I won’t owe you anything?”
Abel’s eyes met mine, and for a moment, we stared at each other before he shook his head again and flicked his cigarette out in front of him. “No. You promised me spaghetti. You can’t just break your promise.”
“Are you enjoying fucking with me? Is it fun for you?”
“Is it fun for you?” His eyebrow rose flirtatiously. “I’m not fucking with you. Just trying to figure you out.”
“Nothing to figure out. I’m not making you spaghetti. I’d tell you to ask Trish, but she wouldn’t either, and no, she wouldn’t have brought me breakfast.” I dropped the money on the ground and walked around him to the front door. I had no reason to be so pissy, but I was really tired of playing the role of the sidekick, even if it was a million times better than being the outcast.
I tossed the keys to Trish, and they landed next to her on the couch. “Can we go? I need a shower.” I heard the front door open and close behind me as Abel entered.
“You leaving?” he asked, and Trish sighed loudly and pushed herself up from the couch.
“Looks that way. Lie doesn’t want to hang anymore.” She shrugged, and I rolled my eyes.
“Mind if we swing by later?” he asked, and I spun around to look at him as Trish answered.
“Sure. Adam knows where we live.”
I narrowed my eyes at Abel. “You’re such a liar.”
“That makes two of us.” He winked, and I wanted to punch him in the eye so it would be permanently swollen shut.
Chapter Five
Lame Excuses
“Fuck! It’s boiling all over!” Trish screamed, dragging me from my memories as spaghetti sauce popped and splattered over the stove.
I huffed and shoved her out of the way with my hip as I picked up the pot and held it over the sink as it cooled. “I was only gone for a second to change. What the hell happened?” I glanced at the stove and noticed the burner had been set to high.
Trish shrugged. “I thought it would cook faster if I turned up the heat.”
I shook my head as I turned off the burner and dumped the sauce over the noodles. A knock came at the door, and I glanced over my shoulder at Trish, who went off to answer it. I heard the guys talking and Trish laughing loudly in that annoyingly flirtatious way she did whenever a man was near. I rolled my eyes and added the ground hamburger meat to my concoction. I wasn’t the best cook, but I had learned early on that I would need to feed myself if I wanted to eat at all.
“Smells amazing,” Abel said from behind me, and even though I didn’t want to smile, I couldn’t stop myself.
“Well, it sucks, so don’t get your expectations up too high,” I joked as everyone else filed in.
I nodded to Adam and Sean, who stood in the doorway.
Abel pulled open a few drawers until he found the silverware and grabbed enough for everyone. Trish got the dishes and set them out on our small table. There were only seats for four, but I was fine with not sitting with them. I wanted to lock myself in my bedroom anyway. I dished out a small portion for myself and set the pot in the middle of the table so everyone could help themselves. Adam, Sean, and Trish sat down and began rambling to each other about nothing in particular. Abel dished out his food and leaned against the counter next to me as he watched his friends talk.
“Sit,” I said between bites, and he glanced at me before looking back at his friends.