Page 58 of Icy Heart, Empty Chest
“You have a lot of enthusiasm.” I bit into my dinner.
He shrugged. “I feel good for the first time in ages.”
I nodded, feeling guilty. I didn’t want to take that away from him.
“Should probably take it easy but otherwise, sky’s the limit. Movie? Games? Grand theft auto?”
“Ha ha, sticky fingers. You never cared about cars.” He looked convinced.
“People can change.” I gave him my best wicked smile. His face darkened suspiciously.
“You…what…”
“Just messing with you. You’re right, cars don’t do it for me.” I delicately took a bite.
“Do you have any idea how weird it is hearing your childhood best friend became an art thief?”
I reached over and tapped his fading scar on his chest.
“Hey Pot? This is Kettle.”
He snorted. “Touche.”
He chewed for a minute and looked around.
“This is a bit weird in a way. You were just a skinny little bookworm with a backpack that was too big for her body. We made mud piles and thought up kingdoms and villages.”
“We had to grow up sometime, Dae. Couldn’t be kids forever.”
“No, obviously not. Maybe it’s weird but those memories gave me comfort. When I couldn’t feel anything at all, I thought back to you and your dad.”
I looked up curiously. “Why?”
He stopped. “Why if I couldn’t feel anything?”
I nodded.
“Because I knew how much they meant to Damien with a heart.”
I looked up from my slice, chest burning. “Same.”
“Maybe let’s get me some clothes since I’m staying with you for a while and then you can kick my ass at every board game or card game known to man?”
“Deal.”
CHAPTER 17
Ilooked up at Damien’s apartment with a tug of guilt. One of his neighbors had taped some plastic over the window I had shattered to get inside.
He saw it and raised an eyebrow.
“Remind me to give you a key.”
I nodded. “It may simplify things in the future.”
He picked up a rock from the garden and in a compartment underneath was a key. I probably should have known he’d have a backup.
He inserted the key into the lock and turned it, making a face of disgust. I caught the whiff soon after. Trash long past when it should have been taken out was off gassing us out. Same with dirty dishes.
