Page 35 of Love in Pieces

?CHAPTER 13

Abby

Aloud yell from thekitchen startles me awake. There’s a softer second voice I don’t recognize. I freeze under the covers, holding my breath to hear the voices outside the door.

“Dal, calm down. You're going to wake Abby up,” the mysterious voice says.

“Dude, butt out,” Dallas says, pausing a moment. “Dad, I cannot believe you. Is tearing the family apart a hobby for you? And especially after everything our family has been through? Need I remind you of Cole, your dead son?” He’s yelling now. I can tell he’s pacing because his voice moves back and forth, getting louder and quieter. “Wow, okay. Hang up on me. Fucking idiot.” Something hard hits the countertop.

“I’m not on his side, but that conversation was going nowhere if you were just going to yell at him.”

A moment of silence passes before Dallas speaks again, gentler this time. “I just ... I don’t know how to talk to him anymore. I’m so pissed off.”

“I know but screaming at each other never accomplishes anything.” Another pause before the other guy keeps talking. “Drink some coffee. Take a breather. Maybe go to the gym to blow off some steam.”

A loud groan fills the apartment. Feeling like the yelling is over and it’s safe to leave the room, I peel the covers off and head to the kitchen.

I tentatively peer at Dallas. Balled fists rest on the counter, and scrunched brows confirm the suspected anger. “Uh, good morning,” I say.

“Hey! Morning. How’d you sleep?” Dallas asks, moving to the opposite side of the counter. He puts on a happy face and pulls out a bar stool for me. “Do you want some coffee? Sorry if I woke you.”

I approach the blatant change of mood cautiously. “I slept pretty well. I’ll definitely take some coffee, thanks.” I shift my eyes awkwardly toward the guy leaning against the far counter who wears a pair of sweats and a white T-shirt. He grips a mug of coffee in both hands. He’s broad, and athletic, more so than Dallas, but a few inches shorter. “Everything okay?”

Dallas doesn’t turn, but his response drips with sarcasm. “Never better.”

The other guy shakes his head, approaching me. “Hey, I’m Logan, Dallas’s roommate. Nice to meet you.” He holds out a large hand.

I shake it, offering a friendly smile. “You, too. I’m Abby, but I’m sure Dallas has filled you in on all the ... details.”

“He did. I’m so sorry for all the chaos this weekend. If there’s ever anything I can do, just say the word.” He bows his head as if pledging his loyalty, black hair bobbing with the movement.

The warm coffee is pleasant against my lips. I’m thankful Dallas remembered to add the creamer. “Thanks, to both of you, I mean.”

An awkward silence hangs in the air as we all drink our coffee. When Logan finishes, he places his mug in the sink. “Well, I’ve got class in thirty, so I’ve got to head out. I’ll see you at practice?” Logan asks, addressing Dallas with raised brows.

“Yeah, I’ll see you then.” Logan leaves us in the kitchen.

The door closes, and I can't filter my first thought. “So, your roommate is a bodybuilder.”

Dallas snorts and almost spits out his coffee. He grins and says, “Don’t tell him that. It would go to his head. He doesn’t need the ego boost. He spends about twice as much time in the gym as I do.” I laugh and readjust in my seat. When it’s quiet again, he leans both arms against the island and asks, “You doing okay?” Those toned arms flex with his shifting weight. It’s an effort not to stare.

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