Page 130 of Waiting to Lose
HE COULD HEAR her voice in the distance and it brought him out of his slumber. The sound of the front door closing caused him to sweep upward into a sitting position. He rubbed his eyes before sliding his glasses on his face and climbing out of bed. He stretched his arms above his head and immediately inhaled the uplifting aroma of bacon.
He pulled on a t-shirt and roamed into the kitchen. He saw her before she saw him. She was standing at the stove in a pair of light-blue sweats and a tank top. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun, and she scratched the back of her leg with her bare toes as she turned the sizzling bacon in the pan.
He crossed his arms and watched her, smirking. He loved watching her. She broke two eggs into a frying pan. She turned to toss the shells in the garbage when she saw him.
“Good morning,” she said with an uncertain smile.
He huffed a small laugh as he approached her. “Good morning. Thank you for taking care of me last night. I’m sorry I was such a head case.”
“It was understandable under the circumstances.”
Jake pointed toward the entryway. “Did I hear the door?”
Madi pursed her lips. “Rob just left. I hope you don’t mind, but I filled him in. He stepped out to make some calls and give us some privacy.”
“I see,” Jake said as he took another step toward her.
Madi placed her tongs on the counter and moved toward him, placing her hands on his shoulders and rubbing gently. “Are you alright?” she asked
He nodded. “I know I didn’t say much.”
“I’m here whenever—or if—you want to talk,” she responded, turning back toward the stove. “Are you hungry?”
He nodded again as he slid up behind her and planted a small kiss on the back of her neck. “I’m okay, you know. You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me. I think I was just in shock last night. It was a lot to process.”
She smiled and nodded her head reassuringly.
“Madi,” his voice rose as he turned her. “Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
She sighed and faced him. “I don’t know what you’re thinking or feeling, and I’m trying to give you space and time to comprehend everything you’ve been through.”
“I don’t need space from you,” he said as he pulled her to him. “Talk to me.”
She bit her lip and nodded, placing eggs and bacon on two plates. Jake poured them both a cup of coffee and they sat down next to each other at the table. Madi pulled her legs in underneath her and pushed her glasses back into place.
Jake stared at the impressive meal before him before glancing up to see her confused expression. “Did I ever mention to you how beautiful you look in the morning?”
She nodded as she assessed him out of the tops of her eyes.
“Okay, talk to me. Now,” he said, placing his fork back down and reaching across the table for her hand.
“Last night,” she exhaled, “you were really sad and shaken.”
“Yes,” he nodded.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.
He made a fist with his hand and rested it against his lips, his eyes downcast. “She must have felt like there was no hope. I feel bad for being so hard on her.”
“You weren’t hard on her,” Madi said as she seized his hand. “I heard you with her, and you were more than kind, given the situation.”
“I just wish I could have stopped her. Talked to her. Let her know that things would be okay.”
Madi nodded and traced his palm with her fingertips.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. It was awful.”
Madi nodded and frowned. “Please tell me you aren’t blaming yourself.”
