Page 24 of Kissing Chaos
“Why on God’s green Earth would you do that?”
“Do what? Break things?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Okay, smartass. Why would you quit taking pain medication if you’re still hurting this much?”
He looks away, staring off toward the other guys as he says, “Your brother has mentioned over the years that you’ve taken medications in the past that you didn’t mesh with.”
“Not sure why he’s sharing any of that since it’s none of your business, but yeah. I can’t take stimulants. So what?”
He stares at me like I am clueless. I’m not naive; my brain just doesn’t process like a normal-minded individual. Why can’t people just be direct?
“Look, I don’t grasp things when I should, so you’re better off just telling me, or we’ll be here all day with me trying to pick up what you’re putting down.”
His laugh is low, quiet, more a breath of air, but happier than the first breath he’d done that with earlier. “You don’t pull punches, do you?”
“Never learned how to.”
He nods, accepting the answer. “My body formed an addiction to the pills I was on before I realized it. I cut them out cold turkey, went back to them, and then quit again last week.”
“Well, damn.”
A smile tugs at his lips, showing a devilish dimple.
“Makes sense,” I add. “Why you’re so snarly and whatnot.”
Drew chokes out a laugh. “You’re somethin’, ain’t ya?”
I roll my eyes. “In all seriousness, though, Drew. I may be all over the place ninety-seven percent of the time, but if you ever need to vent, feel free to hit me up. I might not remember half of what you tell me, and I know you’ve got a built-in therapist in your sister-in-law, but I know from experience that sometimes it’s easier to tell someone things when you don’t have ties to them.”
“Thanks, but I’m good, Jett. Really.”
“Understood.”
The other two guys close up the trailer and lock it before walking up to us. Reece studies me for a moment before speaking.
“Looks like we’ve got everything loaded. You sure you don’t wanna take one more pass?”
Shaking my head, I walk backward toward my car, thankful not to be stuck in the truck with the guys. “If something got left, I can buy new.”
Drew lets out a low whistle, and my eyes shoot to him. “Friendship offer revoked.”
“Oh, come on, Jett.”
I hold up my hand and slip into the driver’s seat of my Taurus. Reece pops him on the back of his head.
“Dude, what the hell?” Drew exclaims while rubbing the abused spot. Not that it was a hard hit. Reece was careful not to jostle his friend too much.
“Be nice to my sister.”
Tuning them out and focusing on the road, I start the drive west. Whether this move is a chaotic choice or a smart one, I still don’t know.
To new beginnings. May the chaos be controlled.
***
As promised, McKenna is waiting at my new loft, two iced coffees in hand.
Thank you, Baby Jesus.The guys should be pulling up behind me any minute, and my sanity can’t handle any more talk about horses and grain bills.
