Page 46 of Writing On The Wall

“It’s not your job to save him, you know. He’s a grown man.”

The deep grooves between her brows tell me I’veoverstepped, so I deflect, choosing humor to defuse. I swing open a tall door on our side. “Should we explore this panty cupboard?”

“It’spantrycupboard.”

“I’ve heard it both ways.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she grumbles, closing the door. But her lips twitch as though she’s trying to hold back a smile.

“I wouldn’t sayridiculous…maybe an eccentric with amazing hair.’ How about these?” I point to a set of white shaker cabinets with paned-glass doors on the top.

“Oh, I love them! They’re so much better than the old peach ones we took out.”

A store attendant wedges himself between us, making me flinch. “A great choice, ma’am, if I do say so.”

“Whoa, dude. Someone was definitely named ‘most likely to execute the creepiest intro’ in their yearbook,” I mumble as he stares at the cabinets we’re all facing.

His name tag saysFarnan, and I wonder whether that’s the name he was born with or if he’s one of those hippies that chose a new name as an adult.

He turns to ogle Ivy with that ‘I have duct tape and a shovel in my trunk’look in his eyes, and I instinctively sidle up next to her, casually stretching an arm around her waist. Farnan must be giving her the creeps, too, because she doesn’t protest when I pull her a little closer.

“You have these in stock to go,Farnan?” I ask, enunciating his name.

“Sure, Michelle over here can help you with the order.” He directs us to a counter with a far less creepy sales associate. Once we go through the process of deciding exactly what pieces we’d like to order, Farnan thankfully moves on to his next victim.

“You’re in luck, because everything seems to be in stock at our warehouse. It should be delivered tomorrow.” Michellesmiles while typing on her computer. “Now, if only they magically assembled themselves, that would be amazing. But what can you do?” She laughs.

“The hokey pokey,” I deadpan, furrowing my brow in mock concern. “But my friend here refuses to turn herself around. Because for her, that’snotwhat it’s all about.”

Michelle’s eyes bounce between me and Ivy with another forced laugh.

“Ignore him,” Ivy says, stifling a smile as she thanks Michelle and grabs the paperwork, as well as my bicep. I flex for her again as she drags me away, and I can’t resist another comedy bit when I catch her struggling to hide her grin. “See you next year, Michelle.”

When we round the corner, Ivy lets out a bubble of laughter. “You’ve officially creeped Michelle out worse than Farnan creepedmeout.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You’re a big goofball, Ethan King.” She shakes her head with a wide smile, finally rewarding me that prize I’ve been coveting.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ETHAN

The snapping sound of a gloved fist hitting a punching bag fills the room.

Ooof.

“Sorry man.” I lift my chin to Colton. I can’t seem to find my focus this morning, and I’ve already taken too many hits from my big brother. And he’s loving it.

He pauses, dropping his fists as we both breathe heavily from exertion.

“What’s going on with you?”

“What’re you talking about? I’m golden.”

“Mmm, yeah, nope.” He shakes his head. “You’re not getting a pass on this. You were a gossiping little ass when I had that same look on my face.” He aims a gloved hand at me. “I’m not letting you off the hook that easily.”

“Colt, don’t be the marshmallow dust at the bottom of the Lucky Charms bag. We came here to work out. Now, punch me.”

---