Page 69 of Quiet Chaos

“But I asked you.” I kick the toe of my boot into the grass and shrug. His hand lifts my chin until I’m looking at him. “Sky, when do you want to get married?”

I lick my lips. His eyes fall to them, breathing out of his nose, and the broken lake ice eyes darken.

I squeak out, “Sooner would be nice.”

He takes out his phone, scrolling for the calendar app. “How’s May? It should be warmer, so we can have it outside.” I nod. “May fifteenth. It’s a Saturday.” Everyone is staring at me, so I fidget.

Cade says my name to get my attention. “Is that a good day?”

All of them around us, forcing a date, makes me nervous. Not because I don’t want to get married, but because I don’t want Cade to feel like I’m pushing boundaries.

My voice is thin and whispery. “Yes.”

He looks at Howler. “There you go.”

The group cheers, walking along the path. Cade winks at me and takes my hand. I huddle close to his side, daydreaming about our wedding, the sisters, and if I can plan it that soon. But having Cade near calms my nerves. It doesn’t matter where the wedding will be or what it entails. I already have the best thing. Cade.

30

“Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life.” George Bernard Shaw

Cade - April 2020

I finally had the boiler replaced, which happened overnight so I wouldn’t lose too much production. I went into the office at 10:00 pm, arriving home at 9:00 am, dead tired. Sky skips my way, kisses me, taking my hand and guiding me to the kitchen.

She pats my arms and says, “Sit down and I’ll get you some coffee.”

“No more coffee. I’m wired enough.”

“I’ll get you something to eat.”

“Sky, I want to go to bed.”

By the range, she lets out a heavy sigh, flipping over an omelet. “Please eat first and then you can sleep.”

I scare her by wrapping my arms around her middle and burying my face in the crook of her neck. Sky’s smell is intoxicating.

Our swaying has me closing my eyes as I whisper, “You’re getting bossy.”

Her hand reaches around, and she massages my scalp. “Did you eat anything during the night?”

I mumble anointo her neck.

“Cade, please sit and eat.”

I don’t know when I lost my balls to Sky, but when push comes to shove, most of the time it goes in her favor. She cleans the dishes while I eat, not tasting anything. When I finish, I fall into bed, Sky picking up some clothes I left on the ground. I try to convince her to sleep with me, but she refuses. She has chores to do and wants to take Armstrong for a walk. She drags the covers to my chin and wishes me a goodnight before sending the room into darkness.

A doorbell. I crack an eye open, wondering if it’s from my dream or if the doorbell is really ringing. Again, it goes off. I put on a pair of sweats, slide my fingers through my hair, and walk to the door, glancing around for Sky. Without looking to see who it is, I wrench the door open, eyes still trying to adjust to the light. Seth is standing on the porch. His foot stops the door when I attempt to slam it closed.

I shout, “Get the fuck out of here!”

Seth pushes the door open while I rub the fog from my eyes and head, and announces, “I want to talk to you.”

“This is my fucking house. You want to talk, call, and I’ll meet you somewhere. Now get out!”

As I’m yelling at him, Sky comes up the walkway. She hesitates. Armstrong detects tension and growls. I step out to take his leash in case he makes a move for Seth. I don’t want the asshole here, but I’m not about the have my dog attack him.

When I pass Seth, I say, “Move out of the way. He doesn’t like new people.”

---