Page 19 of Jet

Great, now I’m feeling all negative. I need to not think about Booker. Just for a little while.

Breakfast it is. One of the first things I learned was that the food here is always excellent. It’s your standard breakfast; bacon, eggs, French toast, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, but they are all made to perfection.

The breakfast room looks nearly empty this morning. There are a few partners and a couple of kids, everyone giving me a smile or a wave as I walk to the table laden with food. I fix myself a plate and a cup of coffee, and head to an empty table, mentally making myself a to-do list for an indie author’s website I’m working on next week, when the seat opposite me is filled by Toni.

We haven’t really spoken yet. She always looks at me like she’s got a secret, and I should ask her what it is. I’m annoyed at myself that I really wanna know. Whatever. I think I’m still harboring some misplaced jealousy. Booker explained that he wasn’t flirting with her, and I know he’s gay. She’s a lesbian, and he’s not even mine, so it absolutely should not bother me. Except it one hundred percent did.

I am such a dickhead.

“So, Nicky,” she says, stealing a piece of bacon. “How long are you planning on letting Booker follow you around like a little puppy dog before you accept the inevitable and wife that man up? ”

With the snort, I just snorted, I’m really glad I didn’t take a sip of my coffee because it would have been sprayed all over my breakfast.

“Oh, it’s so great to see that my brother’s pain amuses you,” Reed says, not even looking at me as they sit down next to Toni.

Reed really doesn’t like me.

This hasn’t been the first barb he’s thrown my way more like the twentieth. I just keep telling myself that he is fifteen and I am an adult.

“So, how long are you going to play with his feelings?”

Just. A. Kid.

“Reed, don’t be a twerp,” Toni tells him, earning her an eye roll. “Is church happening right now?”

“Yeah. Dad and I are going to hang out when it’s done. He said it would be just us, no guests.”

The insult would be subtle if he weren’t looking directly at me.

I pick up my phone so they can’t see that their comment got to me. Obviously, he’s feeling some kind of way about my existence, which I can understand, but I hate that he’s trying to hurt me. Unless he’s saying what they are all feeling? Kenny and Stella seem happy to have me here. Maybe they were only being polite about me staying. I’ve been here four days and seen them twice. That has to be a normal amount, right?

My message tone going off pulls me from my musings.

Bron: Can you text Max, please? He’s worrying about you but doesn’t want to get in the way.

Bron: Maybe don’t tell him I interfered? I don’t want to sleep on the floor.

Me: Wouldn’t you just go and sleep in your own apartment?

Bron: We are sleeping in my apartment. We broke his bed, and the new one won’t be delivered until next week.

Me: You are adorable.

Me: I’ll call him in five.

I scarf down the last of my breakfast and mumble a bye to Toni and Reed before putting my dirty dishes in the dishwasher and heading to my apartment. I decide to video call Max in the family room. It’s where the kids hang out and where movie night happens. Sinking into one of the plush couches is heaven. I feel like I’m surrounded by comfort.

Max answers the phone on the first ring.

“Nicky! How are you doing? You look good. Are they being nice to you? What’s happening?” Max looks like he hasn’t been awake long. He and Bron are both on screen and naked from the waist up. At least there are no white crusty substances on their bodies this time.

“I’m good. The clubhouse is great. Most of the people are really nice. It’s all great.”

Max’s eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean, most of the people are nice? Who is being mean to you?”

“Reed isn’t my biggest fan.”

“Is he your half-brother or your stepbrother?”

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