14. Kaden
Kaden
Ever since we opened up again, Kit’s been very strict on the cleaning routines, so every other Saturday, we all gather in the studio and scrub it clean. Floor to ceiling. It’s tedious as hell, but I appreciate the level of concern on his part.
Since Diaz left, it’s only me, Seth, Iggy and Kit. But Kit’s not here today, so there’s even more for us.
Oh, joy.
And Iggy obviously woke up on the wrong side this morning because she’s scowling like hell. Her eyebrows are drawn low under her short bangs; mouth thinned to a line.
“Are you going to open the fucking door, or just stare at it?” she barks.
“You tired today, Sully?” I ask, digging through my backpack for the keys.
“Yes, I’m fucking tired!” she bites back.
“I was up until two fucking a.m., writing an essay on gender studies, and that reminded me of how fucking stupid you men are. That you’re legally considered grown-ups makes me want to laugh.
Or cry. I can’t even tell anymore. You can’t even open a fucking door, but you’re allowed to vote? ”
I raise my brows, putting the gum between my teeth. “Okay.” I turn the lock on the door. “Maybe calm do—”
“Fuck off!” she snaps and shoves past me through the door.
I turn, looking at Seth.
“You should probably apologize,” he nods, eyes a little wide.
“For what?”
He shrugs. “Being a man?”
I frown. “You’re a man, too.”
“Yeah, but I’m gay, so I’m basically an ally. And I didn’t tell her to calm down. Seriously, Kade?” he shakes his head. “Have I taught you nothing?”
An hour and a half later, I’ve cleaned the couches and the carpet and have just crouched on the floor to finish up the coffee table, rag in hand, when Seth comes barreling through the backdoor.
“Dude!” He jumps over the back of the couch, hitting my shoulder with his foot mid-air, and drops down on the couch beside me. I elbow him in the ribs, making him squeal before I pick up the rag I dropped.
“Dude,” he repeats. “What are you doing tonight?”
“Oh!” Iggy yells. The bathroom door hits closed behind her with a snick. “Oh, wow, what a fucking shocker!” She crosses her arms, glaring at me and Seth, and looks about five seconds away from committing murder on our asses.
“I’m so fucking fed up with you two,” she says.
“What, you think just because I’m the only woman in this godforsaken, stinky place, that I should do all the cleaning?
Is that it? Well, then I’ve got news for you idiots: I’m not the one peeing all over the bathroom floor, and if you can’t aim your itty-bitty dick into a foot-sized bowl, then maybe sit your ass down like the rest of us, or fucking clean it up yourselves! ”
Seth and I share a look, willing the other to grow some balls and say something.
“Uh,” Seth says, darting his eyes between me and Iggy. “I was just—”
“What?”
“—taking a break.”
“Oh, taking a break?” she says, with a faux laugh. Her eyes wide. “That sounds fucking lovely! Do you know who’d also like a break?”
“You—?”
“All the fucking women to ever have existed!”
I can basically hear Seth swallow, and he bites his lips together, nodding while he slowly stands up.
“Sully,” I say. “Come on—” I dodge to avoid the flying bottle of disinfectant.
“I’m not staying here all night, just so you can fuck around so start cleaning, or I’m out,” she says, flipping me the bird and stomps off.
I just gape as Seth turns to face me.
“Did you not apologize to her?” he says, eyes wide.
“No?”
“Dude!” He puts his hands on either side of his head, puffing up his cheeks and blows out the air. “I told you to apologize.”
“So, this is on me?” I point to myself.
“Obviously?”
I shake my head with a scoff and Seth rakes his hands through his hair.
“I know she’s tiny, but I swear to you, she could kill us both, and we’d never even see it coming. You need to apologize, man.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know!” he says, throwing his arms out. “But… Just do it.”
“Fine.”
He nods before he starts walking away.
“Hey,” I say, making him turn to face me. “What were you gonna say before?”
He frowns for a beat before he catches on. “Oh, yeah, what are you doing tonight?”
“Dunno.” I shrug. “Why?”
“You got some weed?”
“Maybe,” I drawl, squinting at him. “What are you thinking?”
“Lou left me a little parting gift.” He pumps his brows at me. “So, what I’m thinking is a small party of four. You, me, Mary Jane and Molly.”
I scoff, half laughing. “Lou gave you Molly? Dude!”
“Uh-huh, so hurry the fuck up so we can split.”