Page 31 of Speechless

“Tastes good to me!” Graham shoves a huge piece in his mouth and continues talking even though no one can understand him. It sounds like it’s complimentary, and I’m tempted to get up and give him a hug.

“Sorry it’s not really staying together. It’s my first time and I think I must have messed up the rice, and the seaweed just kept breaking and the knives weren’t sharp enough and—”

“Lucy, it’s delicious. Stop apologizing. What’s the sauce on this one?” Henry points to the mango, serrano and salmon roll.

“Thanks. It’s a yuzu vinaigrette—citrus basically, I’m obsessed with the flavor. If you want more I made a huge batch in the fridge. Oh, and I made yuzu hot sauce as well if anyone wants some.”

“Yuzu, eh? Is that why our fridge is always full of those sparkling yuzu coconut waters?” Henry asks.

I shrug, because yes, I’m obsessed with all things yuzu.

I look around to see everyone struggling with the chopsticks. “Maybe it’s just easier to eat it like a poke bowl? Does anyone want me to make a plate like that?”

“Eat woman, stop obsessing.” Graham is still talking with food in his mouth, clearly enjoying himself. “It might not look like sushi but it tastes amazing. Craig, if the flaccid roll is making you insecure, I’ll be happy to eat yours.”

I’ll admit that even though the presentation isn’t up to my standard, it does taste good.

Adamma gets up from the table and strides over to me.

“Luce, will you come into the kitchen with me for a sec?”

I follow her toward the house in silence and she turns to me the second we shut the door.

“I have an idea, just roll with it okay?” Adamma’s eyes are so full of mischief I start feeling energized even though I’m completely in the dark. She tells me to start making one more roll as she heads up the stairs.

Adamma comes back with something shiny in her hands and I throw her a very confused expression.

“Step aside Luce, I have a sushi roll to . . . roll.” She gives a quick shrug and gets to work, adding her mystery ingredient to a perfect layer of rice. She even adds a drizzle of yuzu and I raise a brow at her. “What? I don’t want it to be bland.”

It takes a while to get our faces zipped up, but as soon as we’re able to control the laughter, we bring the plate outside and Adamma hands it to Craig.

“Here, I showed Luce a trick to get the hand roll nice and tight. We made this just for you.” She winks back at me and it takes every ounce of control to keep a straight face.

Craig seems pleased and lifts it to take a bite. You can clearly see the stages of his facial expression change with each chew. It starts out slightly pompous, pleased that we tried to appease him, then the confusion settles, wondering what the hell he’s eating, and when he finally drops the roll and pulls out a condom from in between the rice, his face is one hundred percent fury.

“Nowthatlooks pretty flaccid.” Adamma delivers the punchline and everyone at the table starts to roar.

Craig clearly does not appreciate the joke. “You’re disgusting! What the fuck is wrong with you!?” Craig stands up and moves toward Adamma, but Preston and Graham both rise swiftly to block him from getting any further.

“Take a fucking joke, mate. It’s just a rubber.” Graham gives him a light but meaningful shove to the chest.

“You fucking bitch!” He turns toward me now. “Both of you can suck my dick.”

Henry doesn’t speak but he moves like lightning. In a matter of seconds he’s out of his chair, grabbing Craig by the back of his shirt and dragging him around the corner to the other side of the house. We’re all silent, hoping to hear what’s going on with them but none of us can make out the words until Craig starts yelling.

We all run over to see what happened and find Henry leaning over Craig with a knee pressed to his chest, pinning him down.

Henry’s panting, his eyes filled with rage. Suddenly he looks larger, taller, almost feral. His muscles are taut and his eyes are dark as night as he stares down at Craig, no hint of remorse in his face.

I am . . . so turned on right now. Oh my God, what is wrong with me!? I try to look away but he’s like the damn sun and the gravitational pull has me helpless.

He finally looks up and sees me staring. His face changes immediately and now all I see is shame. He steps away from Craig before looking back down at him.

“You’re done. Go pack your shit and get out of my house.Now.”

* * *

“Well, that was dramatic.”Adamma raises her brows at me. “I guess pranks are officially off limits in this house.”

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