Page 23 of Painfully Merry

Chaos

I’ve been thinking of her all day. I know Parky had different plans for her, but I have to veer off course for a little while. I also know Parker is holding back on me. Keeping secrets from me never works out in the end. I have a way of working them out of a person.

“Where’s Parker?” Her voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

I wash her back in circular motions. “Parkster went to grab some dinner. We figured it would be best if no one cooked our Christmas Eve supper. I’m not sure what you usually do, but I always get Chinese food and watch A Christmas Carol, the old one in black and white.”

“Seriously?”

I spin her around, leveling her with a blank gaze. “Yes, Sabby. Just because I kill people for a living doesn’t mean I don’t have traditions. Why, what do you do?” I roll my eyes like she hasn’t heard of traditions before.

I watch as she stands still, her brain rolling through memories, trying to locate something. I almost feel bad for her, and I know my childhood sucks, but at least I have Christmas traditions, and I came from nothing.

I move her under the water, watching all the suds move down her body. The thought of fucking her ass is still fresh on my mind. And having her naked in my arms isn’t helping me. I drop the luffa and step out in frustration. I’ve never wanted someone this desperately before. How is it even possible?

“Chaos, what’s wrong?”

I grab a towel and wrap it around my waist. I take one for her when she steps out of the shower. She rips the towel from my hand, wrapping it around her body and taking away my view. I watch as she takes in all my tattoos; every skull, blood spatter and smiley face. It’s a wild ride trying to find all the randomness on my body.

“I’ll leave you to get dressed. When Parker gets home, we’ll eat.” I leave before she says anything else. My head is out of sorts again. I feel that killing another wouldn’t sit right with her, but I can’t stay in this house much longer.

Cabin fever is a real deal.

After getting dressed, I wait for Parker. He should’ve been back by now. I stare out the front window, getting anxious. Maybe he got into an accident or fell and broke his head. It shouldn’t take this long to grab food. I tap the window three times, wondering if I should call him.

Little barks come from the kitchen, and I remember Toto. My new responsibility since Sabrina doesn’t want him, or is it her? I glance out the window once more, but I never see headlights. The dog barks again, and I have no choice. It’s hard to choose who deserves your time.

“Toto, I don’t have any food. That involves going next door again.” I can’t risk that again, not tonight. Families are crowding the street visiting family. “Want a leftover waffle?” Can dogs eat human food? I have no idea.

I sit on the floor watching Toto eat. Every once in a while, I rip pieces of the waffle off and feed it to her. Apparently, it’s a girl. Toto did me wrong.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m sure it’s self-explanatory, Sugarplum. Toto was hungry, and you have no dog food.”

She rolls her eyes, walking away. Yep, a woman after my own heart.

“Can I ask you a question, Sabstar?”

She swirled around, blowing out her cheeks. “You’ll ask it either way, won’t you?”

Humour touched my lips. “You know me.” I pet Toto once more, then get off the floor. I glance at the clock and worry settles in again. “Do you hate Parker?”

“I don’t hate him, Chaos. Things at work are complicated, and having you two break into my house isn’t helping the situation.”

“To be fair, that was all Parker's idea. I only came along for the ride.”

Her cheeks grew faintly pink. “I’m sure. Where is Parker?”

The front door swings open, and I’m relieved. I storm through the house, ready to bitch him out. How dare he take this long without calling. It’s not my job to call. I need to act like I don’t care. I stop dead in my tracks at the bundle of gifts in his hand.

“Parky baby? What’s all this?” I reach for them, but he swings out of the way and hands me the food instead.

“It’s Christmas Chaos, and Santa has arrived.” He winks. I follow him into the living room, watching as he sets them all under the tree like this is entirely normal.

“No offence or anything, but where’d you get the—money?” I whisper the last part.

He brushes past me, mumbling, “I have my ways.”

---