Page 51 of Abel

Till this day, I keep both their memories alive by alternating between shoes and no shoes. It took me a long time to see that my father had my best interest at heart, and what he did for me was to prepare me for the cruel world.

Heading downstairs to my office, I grab my bluetooth speaker and pull out my phone. Punching in the code, I unlock it and scroll down to my music app. Finding one of my favorite playlists, I turn it on and let the music fill the halls as I make my way back to the kitchen.

Setting the speaker down on the counter and turning the volume up, I get to work on taking out all the ingredients I’ll need.

The walk-in pantry has most of the things I need. Grabbing all the seasonings and onions, I lay them all out on the counter when something hits me. “Damn, I almost forgot the potatoes.” I say, heading back when my phone begins to buzz on the counter as the sound rings out through the bluetooth speaker.

Dropping the potatoes in the sink, I turn around and swipe answer on my phone. “Hello?”

“Abel, hi, sorry to bother you,” Em says, “but I wondered if you needed me to do anything for the cookout?” I grin from ear to ear with her question.

“I take it Capone invited you?”

“Yeah.” She gushes. “Isn’t he just the dreamest?”

“Uh, no, he’s not the dreamest.” I say, mimicking her voice, making her laugh with my failed attempt at sounding like her.

“Sorry.” I can hear her cringe through the phone. “Sometimes I forget you’re not my girlfriend because I don’t have any, and I know I need to remember that.”

“Emily, it’s fine. You’re just excited, and I get that. Who needs girlfriends when you have me?” She giggles. “Why are you laughing, Em? I’m serious” I say, clanging pots and pans around as I put water to boil.

“What’s all that racket? Do you need my help?”

Do I need her help?

No.

Will I accept it because I know she’s all alone and in need of company?

Yes.

“Actually, Em, I could use your help. Why don’t you come on over?”

“You’re sure I’m not imposing?”

“I mean, you are, but it’s okay.” I laugh, hearing her snort in the background.

“Okay, if you insist.” Did I? “Drop me your location, and I’ll be there shortly.”

“Done. See you soon.”

Hours later, we’re all sitting around the table when Ironclad speaks up. “My man, Abel! You’ve really outdone yourself.” He says, smacking my back. “This food is hella good.”

“Yeah, tell me something I don’t know.” I’m smirking, feeling very pleased with myself.

Everyone is enjoying themselves, the food was better than I imagined it would be. Everyone chipped in with everything else.

Saxon staggers up to me, beer in hand with a sloppy grin on his face. “What’s good, Brother?”

“I already told you, stop pulling that Stefan and Damon bullshit with me.” I can’t help but laugh, because that’s always my reply, but that’s the only way he refers to me.

We both laugh our asses off everytime.

“Look, bro, we got some fine women coming by the club tonight. I’d say Knuckles, Cueball, and Capone can hold it down here. Whaddya say, me, you, and Tark go have some fun with the honies?” Saxon suggests.

“First off, Saxon ain’t having fun with nobody other than Foxy. Second, yeah, the others can hold it down here while we go have some fun.”

“Fuck yeah!” He pumps his fist up and down. “I half-expected you to say no.”

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