6. Veronica #3
“Also, I found a granola wrapper beside the couch… in front of the garbage basket. I don’t know who is to blame for that one, but both of you are in trouble.” I pull my hand from Noah’s and fold my arms over my chest as I give them a sympathetic look.
“It was an accident. We were in a rush to leave,” Noah gives as an excuse.
“Right, yes. Can’t we get a free pass for this time?” Gabe pleads.
“I’m sorry, boys, but rules are rules. And if I let this one slide, then I’ll let the next one too.
If we want you guys to grow into proper men, we need to stick to the rules.
And maybe next time before leaving messes behind, you’ll think back to this moment and remember why it’s essential to do at least the bare minimum. ”
“Oh God. No, please. Don’t make me eat something nasty…” Gabe’s eyes are wide with horror.
“Actually, I thought we could make it fun, since it is your first time messing up. Gabe, you’re off cooking duty tonight. Noah, you’ll be making us dinner.” I smile at Noah, who looks just as scared.
“Oh my God, that’s even worse!” Gabe exclaims, hands thrown in the air.
Noah swallows. “What did you have in mind?”
“Hmm…” I tap my index finger to my lip as he watches every movement. “How about mac and cheese? That’s not too hard to make.”
“Will you be staying for dinner?” he asks.
“Of course, who else will make sure you both follow the rules?” I smirk.
He watches me for a moment, then nods. “Okay, I should be able to manage that.”
“Kill. Me. Now,” Gabe whines as his head drops into his hands, making Noah and I laugh.
“Okay, I think it’s ready,” Noah calls from the kitchen where he’s been cooking for the past hour. I’m not sure why it took so long, but I gave him his space to concentrate.
“What do you mean, you think!? Is it ready or not?” Gabe’s eyes widen.
“Shut up.” I smack his arm from our spot on the couch. “Leave him alone.”
I saunter over to the kitchen, which smells pretty good.
That’s a good sign, right? Then look down inside the pot of mac and cheese he made.
“That looks… pretty good for a first attempt.” I smile at him, although he doesn’t seem to agree with the frown he carries.
Okay, so there are still big lumps of cheese that don’t seem quite melted, but the rest looks fine.
I take out three bowls and forks, setting them down on the kitchen island, while Noah dumps his creation into each, and Gabe fetches out three beers. Then we each take our seats, Gabe to my right and Noah to my left.
“Well, let’s hope no one dies tonight,” Noah toasts, raising his beer.
I giggle and raise mine as well. “To not dying tonight.”
Gabe joins in as we clink our bottles together, then all take a swig before setting them down and looking at our bowls. Gabe sighs and picks up his fork. “All on three?”
I look at Noah, who shrugs, and then turns back to Gabe. “Okay. Let’s do it.” Noah and I pick up our forks. “One… two… three.” We pick at our food and shove it in our mouths.
Immediately, I’m hit with this strange taste in my mouth. Not only that, but it’s also very… crunchy. I finish chewing, working hard to swallow, then clear my throat. “Umm… Noah? How long did you leave the noodles on the stovetop?”
“I put them in the water and waited for it to boil, then took them off,” he says, staring down at his food with a scowl.
“You put them in the water before it boiled!? Oh God! And what is that weird thing I’m tasting?” Gabe tosses his food around with his fork like he’s looking for something at the bottom of his bowl.
“I used the smoky barbeque spice you keep beside the stove.”
Gabe gapes at Noah like he’s lost his mind. “That’s a dry rub! It’s made for meat, not uncooked noodles with hard cheese! Jesus, I’ll probably have food poisoning now!” He takes his napkin, wipes his mouth, and pushes his bowl away.
“No more. I’m done. I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” He turns to me with begging eyes. “Please, Vixen? Let me whip us up something. Please? I promise I won’t leave anything lying around ever again. Just don’t make me eat that.”
I try my hardest not to laugh. The truth is, I don’t think I could eat another bite either. “Okay, fine. But next time, I’m forcing it down your throat!”
“Oh, thank God!” He jumps off the stool and collects our bowls, practically sprinting around the counter to find something else to make.
Noah is quiet beside me, and I kind of feel bad for putting him on the spot like that. I place my hand over his that rests above the countertop. “Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I’m really not a great cook either.”
He turns his head to me after gazing at our hands. “Was it really that bad?”
“No… I mean, the noodles could have been more cooked. And next time maybe not use those spices and wait until the cheese is more melted… okay, yes. It was pretty awful.” A laugh bursts out of me, and he quickly joins in, shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Gabe did warn you I couldn’t cook.” He smiles.
“Still, I’m really proud of you for trying. So, thank you for that,” I tell him softly.
His eyes gaze into mine as he says, “Anything for you, Kitten.”
And I believe him. Somehow, I know Noah would do anything for me.