Chapter 10 #2
I raise an eyebrow. “BJ? Are you for real?”
He smirks. “It stands for Blackjackie. Get your head out of the gutter, Jeffries.”
“What kind of dog is she?” I ask.
“A Doberman. I adore her. I sort of bought my house in the ’burbs so she’d have more room to run around. My best girl requires a lot of exercise.”
“I love dogs, but my father’s ex-wife is allergic to them, so we never had one.”
He pinches his eyebrows together. “Ex-wife? Was he married to someone else besides your mom? How did I not know that?”
I shake my head. “No, that’s how I refer to my biological mother.
I don’t speak to her at all, and I certainly don’t refer to her as my mother.
It’s a long story I’m not interested in sharing.
I prefer to call her my father’s ex-wife or by her first name.
” I let out a breath as I stand. “Let me get breakfast started. Are eggs okay? It’s all I have and the only thing I’m capable of cooking.
I make a mean cup of coffee though, if you’re interested. ”
He nods. “Sounds good.” He points toward my bathroom. “I’m going to pop the cork while you’re cooking if you don’t mind.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Not now, Kennedy. Don’t give him shit for his crudeness in announcing his bathroom visit. Just smile and walk away.
He stares at me, waiting for a comment, but none comes. Not today. Not after what he did for me.
Ten minutes later, he’s laughing in my kitchen. “You weren’t joking. The entire contents of your kitchen are eggs, milk, coffee, and vodka. And you don’t even have a set of pots and pans. Only one frying pan.”
I nod as I stand at the stove. “Yes, for the eggs. Like I said, it’s the only thing I make. Why would I need all that other stuff if I don’t use it? Do you cook?”
He nods. “I do, for me and BJ. She prefers human food. I have a guy, Chef Benny, who does my shopping and some meal prep for me. He stays with BJ when I travel. But I do the actual cooking myself. It’s soothing. I kind of like taking care of my dog.”
I start to judge the fact that he has someone like Chef Benny, but then I remember that I have an intern. Booster would probably meal prep and cook for me if I asked.
I turn to him and ask, “How do you take your coffee?”
He shrugs and deadpans, “Usually in a cup.”
Stay quiet, Kennedy. He did something incredibly kind for you. It’s no small feat, but I do manage to control my snark.
I plate the eggs and pour the coffee before we sit at the small kitchen table. He looks ridiculous in my tiny kitchen at my tiny table made for two. He must need extra-big doorways and high ceilings in his house. I’m pretty sure he’s judging the kitchen right now.
“I know this kitchen sucks,” I say, “but this apartment has great closet space, and I value that over a kitchen. I can’t afford a place with both.”
“Right, for all your designer clothes,” he says as he rolls his eyes. He then takes an obscenely large bite of his eggs and swallows before looking at me. “Can I ask you a question without getting a bitchy response? It’s a real question.”
“You can,” I respond.
“Why do you hate ‘Waterfalls’? It’s such a feel-good song.”
I smile. “I don’t hate the song, per se, I just think it’s weird when a man knows every word to the rap verse.
I happened to have told the girls that a man knowing the words is on my red flag list. That’s why we were laughing.
We weren’t laughing at you, just the coincidental situation.
What are the chances of you singing that exact song I told them about? ”
“Hmm,” he moans as he looks at me skeptically. “Why is it weird to know the words to a once-very-popular song?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I haven’t put that much thought into it. Why do you like the song so much?” I challenge.
A small smile finds his face. “My mom died when I was a little kid. I was only six. It’s not like I have a million memories of her, but one I do have is of her and my dad singing that song together, smiling and laughing.
I remember it as if it were yesterday. They had a whole dancing bit to it.
After she passed, my dad told me what the song is about.
Not chasing waterfalls is a euphemism for not succumbing to temptations like drugs and other dangerous or unhealthy activities.
To make smart decisions in life.” He lifts his eyes and then brings them back to me, conveying uncharacteristic softness and sadness.
“It’s not like my mom had time to teach me many lessons, so I take that one to heart.
And my parents loved to smile and laugh throughout life.
Even after she passed, my dad always made me laugh.
Still does. I don’t know,” he says introspectively, “that song just means happiness to me. Choosing to make good decisions and be happy in life. That’s how I like to live. It’s how I honor her.”
I nod in understanding. “Sorry if I offended you. I didn’t mean to.”
“No biggie.” He stands. “I’m heading out.
Thanks for breakfast.” He places his dish in the sink before looking at me with an uncharacteristically sheepish look on his face.
“I’m sorry if the TV interview incident messed up your endorsements.
” He walks toward me and holds out his pinkie for me to take.
“How about we agree to keep the fighting clean moving forward?”
I take his pinkie in mine and give it the proverbial handshake. “Agreed. And sorry about the dick pic.” I give him a small smile. “At least I now know firsthand that it isn’t true.”
He lets out an overly loud laugh. I think my kitchen light fixture shakes from it.
Still holding his pinkie, I twist it a bit, and he grimaces. “Ow, what the fuck?”
“That’s for lying about Champ being straight.”
He chuckles. “I didn’t lie. I didn’t say he wasn’t gay. You assumed. Watching you hit on him for months was too damn funny though. You were so frustrated. I bet you’ve never been rejected like that in your life.”
I smile. “Ooh, did you just admit that I’m hot?”
“When you don’t talk, yes. Unfortunately, you talk.”
“Back at you, big guy.”
I walk him to the door, looking up at him as I open it. Grabbing his bulging bicep gently, I say, “Thanks for what you did for me, Daylen. Sincerely. I don’t know that I can ever repay you for stepping in the way you did and then taking care of me.”
The corner of his mouth raises slightly. “Your tit popped out of your robe earlier. That was payment enough.”
I punch his arm and mumble, “Asshole.”
He chuckles. “Don’t go soft on me, Sea Witch. I said to keep the fighting clean moving forward, not that I wanted to stop fighting with you.”
I bite back my smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll still bring it.”
He nods. “So will I.”