Page 99 of Every Broken Piece
“No.” Is it?
“I think Dad would be disappointed to hear that.” He pulls a gallon of milk from the refrigerator, splashing it in both bowls, then adds a spoon to each before sliding a bowl toward me.
He hops up on top of the breakfast bar and starts shoveling cinnamon squares in his mouth while swinging his feet.
I pull my bowl closer and scoop up a bite.
“Dads in meetings all day,” he says around a mouthful of cereal.
“I know.”
“It’s my spring break but I don’t know if I’m gonna to stick around here all week. Might head back to school.”
I put my spoon down. “Please don’t leave on my account.” The last thing I want to do is take time away from Gabe and his son.
“Nah.” He waves his spoon. Milk droplets splatter on the counter. I rip a paper towel from the roll and wipe them up. “It’sjust more fun at school. Plus, there’s this girl I have my eye on. Works at the campus Starbucks. Kami.” He frowns. “Kenzie.” Then smiles. “Yeah. Her name’s Kenzie. I’m gonna ask her out.”
He sounds so confident that I have no doubt Kami/Kenzie will say yes. I bet not many girls say no to Paxton Strong.
“Then I wish you luck.”
“What’re your plans for the day since Dad basically abandoned you.”
“I don’t mind. He has to get back to his business and I need to find a place to live and a job.” Because after last night it’s obvious I can’t stay here for long. I feel like the outsider, a person to be tolerated. Besides, I’m crazy uncomfortable in this opulent apartment.
Pax stills, spoon halfway to his mouth, milk dripping into the bowl. He finishes his bite and studies me while he chews. “I thought you were living here.”
“Oh, God, no. This is just temporary. Until things...settle down.” I gesture to my injured wrist, not knowing how much Pax knows of what happened and not willing to tell him anything.
Pax eyes the wrist. “Dad know you’re moving out?”
“I haven’t moved in.”
“But does he know you’re moving out?”
He’s so much like his father but I’m not going to voice that. I think most kids hate hearing they’re like their parent. I certainly would have.
“He knows I’m looking for an apartment, yes.”
“Here? In Denver?”
I hesitate. “I don’t know yet.”
Pax tilts his bowl and drinks the milk from it. When he pulls it away, he has a milk mustache, and I hide my grin by taking another bite of cereal.
“Where you looking for a job?”
“I don’t know that either. I need a work from home job and those can be hard to find.”
“Why?” He slides off the counter and rinses his bowl before placing it in the dishwasher.
“Why what?”
“Why work from home?”
“I do much better not in an office environment.” No way am I telling him about my crazy mother.
He leans against the sink and crosses his arm. His bare foot rubs over the top of his other foot. “Dad would hire you in a heartbeat.” He squints. “Weren’t you his assistant? Did he fire you and that’s why you need a job?”
