Page 85 of Bring You Back

“This is whatyouasked for,” Tommy says with a look.

I drop my purse and join them, pushing my way in between. “Ididn’t ask for anything.” I eye Naomi and she winks at me.

I’m back in time; Naomi on my left, Tommy on my right as we cook whatever recipe Naomi is in the mood for. The only thing missing is Julian … and Reyna.

Ever since the performance I gave him, Julian’s been spending the night here, in his bedroom, with the door cracked. While I appreciate his not-so-subtle message of caring, this is the exact thing I’ve been trying to avoid. I don’t want to have to be watched over. I don’t want to be weak. I want to be strong enough to get through the nights on my own, not race through the hall, past his door like he expects me to.

Which I haven’t. I still wake up after falling asleep, I still stand in the doorway to see the porch light, but thanks to my nightly ASMR listening, I go right back to sleep, and I don’t wake up again until morning.

“Where are they?” I ask Tommy, my voice low.

He pauses his mixing before meeting my stare, then he shrugs, a small, tired sigh leaving his mouth.

“Same,” I say, and he smiles at me.

A piece of paper flying out of Naomi’s hand draws our attention and Tommy laughs, saying, “Did it bite you?”

“Just slippery,” Naomi says, her chocolate covered fingers now pinching the sides.

I swipe it out of her hand. “You don’t need this.Simplechocolate.”

“Yes, and do you know how long it’s been since I’ve made simple chocolate?” She swipes the paper back with a teasing smile, and I shake my head.

“You guys are dorks.”

Tommy swipes a finger down my cheek, leaving behind a streak of batter. “Who’s the dork now?”

“Youare,” I say back as I wipe my hand over the mess and aim for his face. He dodges, and I get the hit on his shoulder.

A commotion sounds at the front door, and Tommy and I look just in time to see Banks trying to break up a fight between his shorts and the door handle.

“Who do you think will win?” Tommy asks me.

I laugh. “The door handle already won.”

“I’m so sick of these inanimate objects trying to fuck up my life!” Banks announces once he gets himself loose. “Animateand get out of my way!”

“Language,” Naomi chides as Tommy laughs before cutting himself off with a shake of his head.

“I’m not letting him think he’s funny,” he declares to the mixing bowl, and I snort.

“Learn to watch where you’re going,” I say to Banks as he scans the room with a face.

“You call this a party?”

“You weren’t even invited.”

He starts to the fridge. “I don’t have to be.”

I roll my eyes.Don’t we know it.

Banks pulls out a juice and chugs, chugs, chugs, until it’s gone, the now empty bottle prompting a loudahhhhfrom his mouth.

“Is that necessary?” Tommy says with a face. “I mean, is thatreallynecessary?”

Banks stares. “What?”

“Always the idiot,” I mutter.

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