Page 185 of Overcast

I shouldn’t be eavesdropping,it’s inappropriate and childish.

But Mills is never quiet.

His whispering and pacing the living room floor is a sight I thought I’d never see.

Mills is the kind of guy that seems like he skated through life off luck and his good looks. If I had to put a label on him, he’s the jokester of the group. The one that would cajole you into bed with sweet words but possibly never call you back.

Come to think of it, he’s never spoken much about himself. And along with Emmy’s upset look—something is wrong.

Marty’s back is to me, speaking to both of them, and I’m waiting for my moment to go downstairs and break their conversation, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

They’re a close-knit family, appearing vulnerable as they converse back and forth for some reason. My first thought was Reagan, but I feel as though things in this house would be flying around, and Marty would be more visibly upset.

However, I can’t tell if he is. My first reaction is to comfort them, but I’m an outsider to their world. The last thing they need is me stepping into their business and getting coddled by someone who can only listen and do nothing else to help.

“Then that’s it—” Emmy raises her voice and her hands, giving Marty a look of indifference. “—the decision is made.” Whatever the decision is, she doesn’t sound happy about it at all.

Mills bows his head and shoves his hands into his jeans’ pockets. “You sure about this?”

“Yeah,” Marty replies. “Make everything happen ASAP. I need to know that everything is legit before I make a move.”

Emmy doesn’t bother waiting to be dismissed but turns on her heel and exits out the front door, giving it a little more force to close than necessary.

“Not sure if this is the right move,” Mills issues out, keeping his gaze averted off Marty. “It’ll mess more things up.”

“It’ll be fine,” Marty clips back. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, I’m worried as fuck about it.” His friend’s head comes up to stare at him. “This is going to affect a lot of shit.”

“We both know how you would handle this—” Marty takes a menacing step forward, almost aligning in height to Mills. “—however, taking the threat out has been the plan since day one. Now you’re getting soft on me.”

“Trust me, I’m never soft when—” It’s then that I move from around the wall upstairs, scared that their “talk” is going to come to blows.

Descending down the staircase, I immediately catch Mills’s attention, and his face softens, back to his normal self.

“Hey, Cinderella,” he greets, yanking his hands from his jeans and rounding Marty to meet me. “I’m making dinner tonight. You like lobster?”

“Never had it,” I reply, forcing a smile through their tension that sticks at my skin. “And is it safe for you to be cooking with—”

“Girl,” he draws out, narrowing his eyes at me as he props his elbow on the banister. “I’m the best chef you’ve ever eaten from. Trust me.”

“I do.”

His lips crack into a giant smile. “That’s my girl.” He points at me with his index finger and wags it. “No snacks. I want y’all hungry as shit.”

“Already there.”

“She’s eating,” Marty conveys, turning around so I can finally get a look at him. Besides the slight glare at the back of Mills’s head, nothing else seems out of sorts. Which only has my curiosity even more peaked. “Dinner isn’t for another million hours.”

“Breakfast—” Mills swings his arms in the air in an “X” motion. “—and that’s it. Now, if you’ll excuse me...I have shit to do.” He bows, winks at me as he straightens his spine, and takes off out the front door behind Emmy.

Marty replaces his spot, standing at the end of the stairs and leaning against the handrail as I finish coming down the rest. His eyes bore into my body, and I don’t miss the hunger that glistens over them as he soaks me up in his vision.

“I was hoping you’d still be in bed.”

I smile as I hit the hardwood floors, gaining his focus back on my face. “It’s almost noon.”

“So? There is no time where I don’t want you, sweetheart.” My body buzzes at the drop of his tone, the deep octave that ripples down my chest right down to what he has in mind.

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