Page 20 of Pike
“Good as long as I don’t let myself think of Ash too much.” Which was fucking impossible.
“Well, you’re up there with two people who love and miss her too. I hope that helps.” He said nothing else before abruptly ending the call.
I knew what he was getting at but there was no goddamn way I could talk about Ash with Chloe. Gemma? Maybe. It was hard as fuck to turn the little girl away. She was so eager and sweet, and it was clear how much she loved my sister. But Chloe? I wasn’t ready for that now and I didn’t think I ever would be.
By the time I stepped inside the cabin, it was filled with the smell of dinner.
“There you are,” Gemma called out. “Mommy said you must’ve gotten lost.”
I smirked before I came into view, my gaze lasered in on Chloe who was doing her best to avoid my gaze. “Here I am. Not lost.”
Still she didn’t look up, not even when she stood to gather another plate, setting it on the third place setting along with silverware and a cup.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, my tone harsher than I intended, making Chloe jump.
“It’s already done,” she replied in a small voice that was barely audible.
“Thanks,” I muttered, skirting around her to wash my hands before I settled in the chair between mother and daughter at the small circular table.
Chloe kept quiet and my jaw clenched at the scared mouse that had returned.
“Hot dogs and fries?” I asked in surprise as I took in Gemma’s plate.
“I can make something else,” Chloe offered.
“It’s my favorite,” Gemma said even louder, completely oblivious to the sudden fear that gripped her mother.
“No need,” I assured Chloe. “I love hot dogs and fries, especially with all the toppings.” I made a big show of adding ketchup and mustard and relish on top of the dog. “I haven’t had one of these since I was your age, Gemma.”
“A million years ago,” she asked around a giggle that turned to full-blown laughter when I glared at her.
“A million? How old do you think I am?” I leaned forward with a mock frown. “Well?”
The little girl laughed harder until she was doubled over with ketchup smeared on her cheek. “You look mean, Mr. Pike but you’re really nice.”
My frown turned genuine. “I look mean?” I asked sincerely.
Gemma nodded enthusiastically, the way young kids tended to before they dropped a big ass honesty bomb on some unsuspecting adult. “You always look like this,” she said and scrunched her face up until her brows tugged down, her gaze narrowed, and her lips pulled into a tight line.
I laughed at the show she made. “That’s not how I look. Is it?”
She gave another exaggerated nod. “Right, Mommy?”
Chloe shrugged, nodding slowly. “It is pretty accurate.” She looked away as if she thought I might be angry.
Or worse. “That’s just my face,” I said to ease her worry.
“It’s okay to look mean if you’re nice, Mr. Pike. And you are nice.”
“Thanks Gem, you’re nice too. Mostly.”
That caused another round of laughter which put a smile on my face. I didn’t know what kind of magic this little girl was working with, but I liked her. A lot. “Miss Ash said it was easier to be nice than mean ‘cause you gotta work harder at being mean.”
Chloe gasped, bracing herself as if she thought I’d be upset at the mention of my sister.
I nodded for Gemma’s sake. “That sounds like something she would say. She always had these little sayings. I told her she could’ve made a good living selling that crap.”
Gemma’s eyes widened. “Iscrapa bad word?”
