Page 135 of Voices

“Hey, Charlie. Are you hungry? I’m still banned from using, you know, everything in the kitchen but I’m sure Shane will whip us up something delicious!” He winks at Charlie as he comes around the island to give him a side hug before sitting on a stool.

I help Charlie climb onto the one next to Ryder. “Any special requests, beautiful?”

“Yeah, I’d like eggs benedict with a steak, medium, with a coffee but I only take it with the richest beans straight from Columbia. I won’t drink it any other way,” Ryder beams.

I cross my arms and shake my head at Ryder, unable to stop a snort from escaping. I look at Charlie and see a tiny hint of a smile on his lips. Looking back at Ryder, he winks at me.

This guy. He truly is the greatest friend I’ve ever had.

I pretend to look in the fridge for ingredients before turning around and shaking my head, feigning sadness.

“Sorry to burst your bubble but we don’t have Canadian bacon or steak and neither one of us drinks coffee so you’re out of luck there, too.”

Ryder cocks his head. “What the hell is Canadian bacon? Do they make bacon with maple syrup or something?” He looks thoroughly confused.

“No, you dumbass,” I laugh. “It’s like ham but better.” I shake my head at him. “Didn’t you pay attention when your mom cooked? I’ve eaten Canadian bacon at your house.”

“No, I sit down and wait for the food to arrive. Wait, can’t you just replace it with regular ham? I know we have some since I’m only allowed to make sandwiches.”

Charlie’s smile grows on one side, making his dimple appear.

“I mean I can, but it won’t taste the same. Do you even like Hollandaise sauce? Or poached eggs?”

Ryder perks up. “Oooh, what’s a holidays sauce? It’s almost Christmas, does it taste better this time of year or something?”

I stare at him. I know I said he’s my best friend, but I didn’t say he’s the sharpest tool in the shed.

Charlie is biting his lip to keep from laughing.

“You’ve never had eggs benedict, have you?”

Ry smiles, showing all his teeth.

“Nope.” He pops the P.

I burst out laughing, followed by Ryder, then a small chuckle from Charlie.

“Okay, Charlie. What would you like to eat? Anything you pick will work because this oaf will eat anything I put in front of him.” I tilt my head in Ryder’s direction.

He bites his lip and glances at the pantry. I already know what he’s going to say before he says it.

“Mac and cheese with the powdered cheese, please.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Charlie

Ispend the rest of the weekend with Shane and Ryder. We don’t do much since I’m still weak. I try to eat what Shane makes for me, but I can only eat half before I’m tired.

He’s keeping a watchful eye on me. Anytime I go to the bathroom or leave his room, he’s right behind me. I know I scared him and that this is his way of keeping me safe. It took him a little bit to believe me when I said I was ok. Other than my ribs smarting if I stretch the wrong way, the rest of my body feels fine. A little sluggish, but fine. It usually takes a few days after being stuck in my head for so long to feel back to being somewhat normal.

My head is quiet for once, which helps. But it’s only a matter of time before the voices come back. They never leave me alone for too long.

“You’re looking better,” Lily says as I take my seat next to her in our art class on Wednesday.

I give her a tight-lipped smile because I know she’s full of shit. I’m still sporting purple bags under my eyes, but at least my black eye is just an ugly yellow color now, adding some color to my otherwise pale skin.

“Did you want to grab lunch with me and Noah after this?”

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