Page 26 of Black Bird

All he did know, at this particular moment, was that they had a great deal to talk about. And whether Sarah was ready for it or not, it would be tonight.

CHAPTER5

NOBODY’S INNOCENT

“You weren’t close by,” Rhaena said, standing in the open door of her apartment and watching Athan while he searched for his keys. The hallway was drafty, she realized as she stood there in a tank top and gym shorts, her hair still wet from her shower. He ignored her as he shoved the key into the lock. “I’ve already had time enough to take a shower and eat.”

“Neither of those things takes you a long time, Rhaena.” He opened his door and gestured toward her. “You coming in?”

“Let me get my shit. We’ve got some stuff to talk about.”

“We sure do. Door’s open.” He disappeared into his apartment, and she could tell something had happened today, though lately it had been harder to read him. Rhaena gathered her things and locked up her door, heading in and making herself useful while she set up to work in his kitchen. Athan came out a few minutes later, changed and seemingly more relaxed as he let Poe out of his cage. “Hey, Rhaena … you got a coffee maker at your place, right?” The question had her pausing as she typed her password into the laptop, and she peered over her shoulder through the breakfast nook. His back was still turned.

“What?”

“A coffee maker. Don’t you have one?”

Rhaena turned her body in the seat, continuing to look at his back while he pampered his stupid pigeon. “Yeah … why?”

“Could I bother you for some?”

She chewed on a toothpick and watched him. “I’m assuming since all of this is a new thing, you must have had coffee today. If you’re asking me to make you some, then you must have liked it enough to want it … and if youwantit, then I think it’s also safe to assume that you didn’t get coffee from the hospital, because it’s—”

“Fucking atrocious? I know. I’ve been told.”

“Yes. So … where’d you drink coffee today, bud?” Athan caught her tone and slowly turned in the living room to face her. “Somewhereclose by?”

“Nevermind.” He rolled his eyes and sat the bird up on his perch.

“I’m just asking a question, Athan.”

“So am I. A simple one at that. I ask for a cup of coffee and you wanna play good cop, bad cop like we’re in the damn interrogation room? What’s your problem?” He stared at her and crossed his arms. Maybe she did go a bit too far with that one.

“I’m not trying to interrogate you. I’m your part—”

“Mypartner. You keep reminding me of that like I don’t know what we are.” He came around the wall and stepped into the kitchen doorway, leaning on it as she turned in the chair toward him. “It’s becoming a little more clear to me lately that maybe you’re the one that doesn’t.” Rhaena scoffed at him.

“I’m sorry?” Her elbow rested on the back of the wooden chair, and she raised her brows in irritation, every defensive instinct flaring up within her.

“Did you tell Sarah we were dating?”

She huffed a laugh. “Oh, it’sSarahnow, is it?” Athan slowly shook his head, smirking and staring down at the floor. “Why the hell would you think I’d say something like that to awitness?” She put a bit more emphasis on that last word and he raised his face back to her, crossing his arms again.

“Because she asked if you were my girlfriend. And when I said no, she mentioned that I might need to remind you of that. So …? What was said about my personal life, Rhaena, that I should know about?” Rhaena shot up from her chair.

“I didn’t say a damn thing about your personal life, Kane.Yourvic,” She poked a finger into his chest, knowing full well about his distaste for being touched. “Mentioned the way that she’s starting on a downward spiral because of somethingyoudid to her.” Athan’s jaw feathered, and she didn’t back down. “When she finished explaining all the things she was going through, she told me that it was strange how calm she felt when you were around. I didn’t say a word about your personal life. I just ended the conversation. However she read it isn’t my problem.”

“Readwhat?”

“I packed up and left! I didn’t say anything else to her except that I hoped she felt better, and we’d be checking in while we worked on her case.” She bristled and her eyes dropped from his, the shame taking over. “I got jealous, okay? I know you didn’t mean to do this. I know that we’re never gonna be a thing, and I’ve always been fine with that. All I’ve been trying to do is help you through this and I’ll continue to do whatever it takes to help you, Athan …” She sighed deeply and turned her back toward him, stepping over to the counter and bracing her hands on it. Her head hung low, and her voice was quiet when she said, “I’m lonely. It’s not your fault, I’m just … it sucks. I’m sorry.”

There was a long silence between them, and she didn’t turn around, too embarrassed to even look at him. “You know I can’t—”

“I know, Kane. You don’t have to explain yourself. It’s my shit and I’m dealing with it.” She heard him sigh behind her and couldn’t tell if it was because he was sorry, or just frustrated with her. Either way, she didn’t have the lady balls to say more. Couldn’t think of a damn thing to say. She felt his hands grip her shoulders, easing the tension off of them and she tried hard not to give into how good it felt … just being touched.

“You need to get laid, friend.”

Rhaena snorted and shook her head, smiling. “Yes, I know … thank you. I’ll work on that.”

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