Page 38 of Becoming Us
I was perched on one of the stools, eating straight from the container, when the lights flicked on.
Ezra took one look at me and stopped short.
My spoon was still in my mouth. “Busted,” I said around it.
He let out a quiet laugh. “What are you doing up at this hour?” He looked rumpled, like he’d also been tossing and turning.
“Half past two is prime ice cream time. Grab a spoon.” I nudged the pint in his direction—though not too far from my side.
He arched an eyebrow, shrugged, and did just that, leaning over the counter to scoop some out. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“It’s not one of my talents, no.”
“Mine either,” he said, but left it there. We ate in silence for a moment.
“How’s your ankle?”
“Better. Just annoying when I try to put weight on it. I’ll need a crutch tomorrow.”
“You’re still going to class?”
“I can’t skip the first day. Besides, it’s only a couple lectures.”
He shrugged, unconvinced. “You should tell Att. He could help you get around.”
“I’ll be fine. He has work.”
“Yeah, but it’s you. He’d drop everything if you asked.” The bitterness was so subtle it barely clung to the words, but I still felt it.
I placed my spoon down with a clank. Guilt surging back, tangled with that same fucking shame he always managed to dig up.
Ezra closed his eyes and grimaced. “That didn’t come out how I meant it.”
“Then?” I kept my tone as neutral as I could manage.
“I’m sure he’d be happy to help.”
I shook my head and picked the spoon back up, stabbing the ice cream harder than necessary. “I’ll be fine.” Depending on Atty to function wasn’t going to be my default anymore. I was done making him responsible for my well-being.
Ezra exhaled hard. “Okay, Noah. Let’s just talk about this. I can’t stand the awkwardness. Let’s just say what we need to sayand move on.” He planted both hands on the counter, looking at me straight on.
“We already talked. You said you accepted my apology,” I reminded him.
“Yeah, but it’s not just that. It’s the fact that we can’t find common ground, and there’s a general feeling of dislike in the air.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “We both know where that comes from…” I started, trying to dodge the conversation.
“I thought you were a spoiled brat,” he said, cutting me off.
I pressed my lips together.
“Notice the past tense?”
I nodded once.
“I meant it. First time I came here, I made up my mind about you. And I wasn’t wrong about everything, so…” He gave a small shrug. “But I got over it. I know this life is what you’re used to, but you’re not necessarily spoiled.”
“Okay,” I said quietly.
