Page 58 of Lost in the Light

“Finally!” Asher cried as we walked into the kitchen. He was sat at the island, his laptop open before him. Eli was at the kitchen table at the back of the room, his sketch pad, and a few pencils on the table before him, and his cell in hand. “I was about to send out a search party.”

“You guys are getting way too dramatic in your old age. I told you we wouldn’t be back until after nine,” Jordan said with a roll of his eyes, pointing an accusing finger between Adam and Asher.

“It’s almost ten,” Adam threw back.

“Did you have fun, shortcake?” Eli asked as he got to his feet and pushed his phone into the pocket of his paint splattered jeans. He approached me and placed a kiss on my cheek before diverting towards the refrigerator.

“I did. That place is amazing and the kids were all really polite and well behaved. I helped some of them out with homework, then the younger kids had me playing on one of those games consoles,” I blurted all at once, a genuine smile on my face.

“The kids loved her. She was a natural with them,” Jordan added with a wink at me.

“Did you tell her about the project you want to start up?” Adam asked, looking to Jordan.

“I did, and Addy wants to be part of it.”

“I definitely do. I know how some of those kids must feel. I know what it is to just need a safe place where you get to forget everything and be a kid for a bit. I want to offer places like that for them. If I’d had somewhere to go like that when I was growing up, maybe I wouldn’t have felt so afraid and alone all of the time,” I explained. “The money we talked about…” I went on as I glanced to Asher and Eli. “…if you insist on me taking it, I want to put it into Jordan’s project. It’s important to me.”

“Of course, Addy. If that’s what you want, then I think it’s a great idea. I was planning to contribute myself. I failed to help you when you needed me as a kid, but maybe I can help other kids like you,” Asher said, and once again guilt flashed across his features.

“Actually Ash, I was hoping, since you’ll be a free agent soon, that you might help me out with the business side of things, just while we get up and running. I have loads of plans for the center, but the actual permits, contracts, and paperwork crap isn’t really my strong point,” Jordan cut in.

“Absolutely. I’d be happy to. I’m going to need something to focus on once the sale is handled,” Asher agreed.

“I can help too, if you still want me to do some art work around the place,” Eli said as he looked to Jordan.

“That’s an awesome idea. The place needs to be colorful and inviting. Maybe you could do some art classes too, Eli? I bet the kids would love to do something creative,” I jumped in, my excitement for this new focus only building more and more.

“Sure. That sounds good,” Eli agreed.

“It’s good to see you looking so excited about something, baby,” Adam commented. I turned to look up at where he still stood close behind me and smiled brightly.

“It feels good,” I told him and I hoped the real, full smile on my face showed him just how good I was feeling right then too. “Let’s eat. It smells amazing.”

We all set to work gathering the take out from where it had been keeping warm in the oven, plates, cutlery and drinks, then a matter of minutes later we all sat around the table diving into the various cartons. My success at the center with the kids, and my excitement at the new project had given me an appetite and I was starving.

“Yum! What was this called again? This is definitely my favorite!” I declared as I held up a piece of the spicy chicken that I was eating and thoroughly enjoying, before popping it into my mouth.

“That’s the kung pao,” Adam answered, pointing out the red box near the center of the table that contained what was left. Before I could ask him to hand it over, Kane had snatched it up and put it next to my plate.

“There’s kung pao?” Jordan asked as he glanced up, pausing the inhalation of his food to look around. “Pass it over, princess.”

“No!” Kane snapped when I moved to grab the box to hand across the table. “It’s the first damned time I’ve seen you eat more than two forkfuls of anything. If you like that, it’s yours. Finish it,” he told me. It all came across sounding a little caveman, but I couldn’t help the smile that flashed across my face at the sweet gesture.

“She’s never going to eat the whole thing,” Jordan laughed as he made a move to get up and grab the box.

“Sit down, asshole!” Kane snapped as he held his fork up toward Jordan in warning.

“He’s right. I think you’ll survive with the mountain of food you already have, Jord,” Adam chuckled.

“I’m good to share. Jordan’s right. There’s heaps left in here,” I offered as I held up the box.

“Eat what you can, baby. It’s good to see you enjoying something, though it does make me question my own cooking.” The table broke out into laughter at that comment.

“Adam, your cooking is awesome. I just never really feel like eating. I guess today’s a good day,” I shrugged as I reached to where he sat beside me and placed my hand on his wide, denim covered thigh.

“Maybe this is a good time to address the elephant in the room,” Asher spoke up, and when I looked to him with alarm, he smiled gently. What could he have to tell us now? What else could have gone wrong in the hours I’d been gone? “Don’t look so worried, sweetheart. I just meant the four of you. It’s clear something has changed between you.”

My worry turned to embarrassment as my face burned with a fiery blush. I glanced to Eli, but he didn’t seem mad, and Asher was still smiling a little as he awaited an answer.

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