Page 78 of Black Bird

“I’m gonna go check on dinner.” Sarah snickered, raising from her spot on the floor.

“I never thought I’d live to see the day where someone domesticated Athan Kane.” Rhaena chuckled, fanning herself as Sarah laughed her way out the door. Indeed, Athan was doing his best in his kitchen when she’d walked into his apartment, scraping at a brand-new pan that was filling the entire room with smoke. Sarah waved her hand back and forth across her face as she approached him from behind.

“Fuck!” He hissed, slinging his hand and tossing the pan back forcefully onto the burner. He shook it, pressing his thumb against his mouth and growling.

“Jesus, Athan … the poor chicken was already dead.” Sarah mused, trying not to laugh. Poe screeched from the living room. “Stay in there, Poe. You don’t need to see this.”

“You’re an asshole.” Athan drawled, turning toward her with a metal spatula, the end of it caked with black. Sarah chuckled and shook her head.

“I can still save this. Move over.”

“Be my guest.” He surrendered, letting her through. Sarah grabbed the spatula in his hand.

“Give me this, before you hurt yourself.”

“It’s a spatula.” He smirked, bringing her closer to him when he didn’t let go. Her body thumped against his and before either of them realized they were flush against each other’s chests, that smoldering look had already started firing up between them. She wasn’t sure how long they stared at one another. Smoke thickened in the kitchen and her eyes started to burn, but she refused to balk from that icy blue gaze. Athan’s arm found its way around her back.

“You’re a terrible cook.” Sarah swallowed as their faces got closer.

“That’s not really what I’m known for …” His voice was a smooth rasp that purred in his throat while his eyes dropped to her open mouth. Something dangerous and overwhelming started roiling in her gut, slithering through her middle and pooling low in her belly. It almost pissed her off … no—it did. It did piss her off.

“Well …” Sarah pressed her fingers to his chest, pushing gently against his hold. “Unless you’re willing to show me exactly what you mean … I should try to rescue what’s left of our dinner.” His grip on the spatula eased off … as did his arm on her back. Sarah could tell he was reluctant to do so, but obviously still not ready to explain himself. His throat bobbed and he straightened his black t-shirt, stepping back while she turned to the pan of charred chicken tenderloins. Too late. “You know …” she started, turning back toward him, and tossing the pan into the sink. “Maybe we could just order pizza.”

Athan’s jaw twitched, and he stared at the steaming pan. “I can’t believe you just did that.” Sarah bit down her smile as he reached over it, carefully picking up one of the black husks. “Poe!” He called, earning the bird’s attention. He flicked it through the nook, and she watched Poe dive for it, hacking off a small piece with his beak. It came right back out of his mouth and dropped to the carpet. Athan’s palms slapped the counter as he watched him flitter back up to his perch, leaving the chicken scrap on the floor. Sarah couldn’t take it anymore, busting into a deep laugh.

“Wow …” She heaved, buckling over and grabbing her stomach. “And they’ll eat practicallyanything.” Athan shoved her, a slight smirk on his mouth as he rolled his eyes and stormed into the living room to clean up the mess.

Rhaena blew out a shallow breath, resting her hands across her stomach as she dangled her burning ankle over the arm of her couch. “I’m stuffed,” she breathed, Wren and Sarah both groaning in agreement while they sat cross-legged on the floor. Athan was sprawled across the soft rug near them, staring at the ceiling with his arms behind his head and a knee up. Two empty pizza boxes laid in the space between all of them. Wren had finally finished the small tattoo and covered it in ointment. For the thing to be about the size of a half dollar, it sure seemed to take forever. Rhaena swore on her life she’d never get another.

“My stomach hurts,” Athan complained, rubbing a palm across his middle. “What the hell was the mystery meat I just ate?”

Wren snorted a laugh. “Sausage?” Rhaena and Sarah laughed with her, all of them turning their faces toward him.

“We wouldn’t have had to eat it if you learned how to cook.” Rhaena snickered.

“I wonder if Poe died of smoke inhalation,” Sarah added.

“All of you can shut the fuck up.” Athan bit, as they all giggled again. “I’m serious. Whose idea was it to put that on me, anyway?” He turned his head and glanced around the room.

“I was busy.” Rhaena gestured to her glistening ankle.

“Busy being a howling pussy?” he shot back. More laughter ensued as Rhaena’s mouth gaped open.

“That shit hurts. You guys suck.” She draped her arms over the arm of the couch. Athan smirked and stared back at the ceiling. Silence stretched between them, and Denver hopped into Wren’s lap.

“It’s quiet,” Sarah breathed, finally breaking the silence. Rhaena peered over at her to find her staring at the empty boxes and clutching her knees to her chest. No one said anything in response. “Does anybody else feel like it’s been a little …tooquiet for the past couple weeks?”

“I can’t say I’m that upset about it,” Wren spoke up. “Bitch-boy texted me a week and a half ago asking me how I was holding up.” She rolled her eyes.

“You never told me that,” Rhaena said, turning her body toward them.

“Me either,” Sarah added.

“I didn’t think it mattered. He’s probably just trying to find a way to use that to talk to you, Sarah.” Rhaena had to admit she was right. The Stratford boy most likely had his tail good and tucked by now.

“Conrad and Dah—” Rhaena caught herself, Athan’s face darting toward her in warning and in shock. Rhaena blinked twice. Wren and Sarah focused their attention on her and she wanted to kick herself.

“Who?” Sarah asked, leaning forward. Athan sighed through his nose, rolling his eyes and staring back at the ceiling.

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