Page 87 of Better Hide

I get to work prepping the other parts of the sauce while walking Cole through the steps. He’s terrible in the kitchen, but he does everything with such energy I can’t help but catch a little of his pep.

“You should put me in your cooking videos.” Cole grins after pouring the water out of the noodles and dropping a third of them down the sink. “I’m kind of a pro.”

Instantly, I sober. That’s not a part of me anymore. It can’t be since we’re on the run. I’ve been thinking about that all week. I can’t be who I used to be at all. Can’t show my face. Can’t teach people to cook. Can’t…anything. I don’t even know what I like to do in a foreign place…besides cooking.

Cole flexes his arm as he holds the pot. “I mean, look. These arms look so good carrying things around.”

I shake my head, and Cole notices my mood change. “Uh oh. You afraid the other girls will be jealous?”

I scoff, snatching the pot from him. “I can’t make those videos anymore.”

“Why not? You love them.” Cole watches me.

“You know how fast the cops would be at our door?”

Cole shrugs. “Cause of your face? Wear a mask.”

I start to argue, then pause. I didn’t think about that.

“I’ll wear one too. It’ll be hot. We can even get Jayden in on it.”

My stomach is in knots. I don’t want to start from scratch all over again. The idea of building followers from the ground up just makes me tired. I mutter, “Jayden would never agree to that.”

“He won’t have a choice.” Cole grins.

I roll my eyes. “What are you gonna do? Wrestle him to the counter?”

Cole laughs. “Maybe. Why? Would you like that?”

Despite myself, the thought of them fighting with their sweaty bodies thudding together makes my cheeks flame.

“Oh, you would.” Cole leans across the counter to get closer to me.

“Fuck off. Where’s Jayden anyway?” I busy myself mixing the mac n’ cheese with a long-handled ladle.

“Says he’s looking for a job.” Cole snatches the ladle from me and licks the cheese sauce off it. “But most likely hiding from you.”

“Hiding?” I whirl.

Cole catches me and plants a kiss on my forehead. “You know, you look so sexy in the kitchen. I could just eat you up.”

I pull away from him. “Why in the hell is Jayden hiding from me?”

Cole rolls his eyes. “Who knows. You know Jayden is afraid of feelings. And your ‘feelings’ for him.”

I stare at Cole.

“I mean, you’ve always had feelings for him, but he’s refused to admit that until now.”

I continue to stare.

“Plusss,” Cole snatches a noodle and eats it, “he also might be shopping for your birthday.”

I stiffen. Oh fuck. I ask cautiously, “What is today?”

“September fourth.” Cole grins.

The day before my birthday. I swallow hard. My recurring nightmare comes rolling back in. The last birthday I hoped would be a good one was the one when my mom couldn’t give two shits less.

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