Page 86 of When the Storm Breaks
His lips twitch into the faintest smile. “To no family reunions,” he says, raising his spoon in a mock toast.
I snort, lifting my crumpled toast and tapping it against his spoon. “To that.”
After a few more minutes, Haiyden finishes his cereal, setting the empty bowl aside with an absent clink. I’m still pushing food around on my plate, more out of habit than hunger, when I catch him watching me.
“What?”
“Are you feeling better?”
I nod, swallowing the last bite of toast. “Yeah. A little. Food helped. Thank you.”
“Don’t get used to it,” he says, pushing back from the table and grabbing my plate. “I’ll let you fend for yourself next time.”
A grin tugs at my lips. “Next time?”
“I’m just saying,” he says, rinsing off my plate and sliding it into the dishwasher. He glances over his shoulder, a smirk playing at his mouth. “Don’t expect five-star treatment every time you overdo it at the bar.”
I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms. “As I recall, you said something about some asshole over-serving me.” I arch a brow and add a slow, deliberate wink.
He exhales a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he closes the dishwasher. His movements are methodical—like cleaning up after someone isn’t unfamiliar to him. It’s another piece of the puzzle, one I tuck away for later.
When he’s finished cleaning, he wipes his hands on a kitchen towel, then turns toward the living room, glancing over his shoulder.
“Come on. Couch.”
I stay seated, fingers brushing the hem of my borrowed shirt. I didn’t expect this—didn’t expect that taking care of someone, despite all his gruffness, could come so naturally to him.
It softens something in me.
I push back from the table, standing slowly. “You’re being bossy again.”
He doesn’t look back. Just shrugs and drops onto the couch, long legs stretched out as he slouches into the cushions. “And you’re being slow. Get over here.”
I blink, thrown by his bluntness—but the grin spreads across my face before I can stop it.
I wanted him before I knew this side of him.
Now? I don’t think I’ll ever stop.
Chapter 27
Haiyden
I settle on the far side of the couch and pat the cushion beside me, silently beckoning Calla. She lifts the throw blanket and sits at the other end instead. The space between us is noticeable, but not uncomfortable. Still, I feel it—an itch just beneath my skin, aching for me to close it.
Neither of us says anything. Breakfast was enough. I grab the remote and start scrolling, too aware of how quiet the apartment feels. Every so often, I steal a glance at Calla, watching as she shifts under the blanket, tucking her feet beneath her. I wonder if she feels the silence too. If it’s comforting, or if she’s just waiting for the right moment to leave.
But then she exhales, sinking deeper into the couch.
Something in my chest eases. Just a little.
There’s an odd sense of calm with her here. I’m aware of her presence, but in a way that feels different from everyone else. Easier.
After a few minutes of scrolling, I settle on a movie that feels like something she’d like—something I can tolerate—and turn to look ather. She looks exhausted. Comfortable. Beautiful.
“This okay?” I ask.
She nods, offering a small smile.
