Page 72 of Breaking

Troy entered, setting the food down on the kitchen table. As Jenna took out the contents, she felt an odd mix of emotions. He had remembered what she liked.

Footsteps sounded behind her. Dani peeked in, eyes flicking between them. "Oh. Hi."

Troy turned, straightening. "Hey. You must be Dani."

She nodded, offering him a shy smile. "Yeah."

Before Troy could say more, another set of footsteps echoed. Dylan trudged into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes, his expression moody. He glanced at Troy, his expression set in stone. Jenna hurried out with the plates to introduce them.

"Dylan," Jenna said cautiously, "this is Troy."

Dylan didn't say anything, just walked over and hovered close to Jenna, his stance protective.

"Why don't we all sit down?" Jenna said to fill the awkward silence that followed.

Jenna poured herself coffee and went into the kitchen to make some eggs. From the doorway, she could hear Dylan's low voice.

"What do you want?"

There was a pause before Troy answered. "I came to bring Jenna breakfast. And to talk."

"Talk?" Dylan's voice was sharp. "You mean mess with her head again? Make her cry again?"

Jenna's grip on her mug tightened, but she stayed where she was.

Troy's voice was steady. "I'm never going to be the reason she cries again."

Silence. Then Dylan muttered, "You should just go back to Brighton."

Jenna turned then, stepping back into the dining room with the food. Dylan looked away, crossing his arms, while Dani tried to keep the conversation light. Troy, to his credit, didn't rise to the bait.

Breakfast passed with a mixture of tension and forced conversation. Dani chatted, trying to keep things flowing, and even Jenna found herself responding despite herself. Dylan remained mostly quiet but didn't leave. Eventually, he mumbled about having to study and disappeared upstairs.

Troy hesitated before speaking. "Can I see what you've been working on?"

Dani stretched, grinning. "I've got stuff to do. You two go ahead."

As Jenna turned to lead Troy into her bedroom -turned- studio, she could see Dani behind him making exaggerated kissy faces. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

Troy wandered around, running his fingers lightly over her supplies, pausing at her tablet. "You've been busy."

She nodded. "I've been freelancing. Illustrating."

"You mentioned that the other day. How long?"

"About three years," Jenna said, arms crossed. "Sasha helped me set it up."

Troy inhaled sharply. "I never knew."

Jenna let out a bitter laugh. "Of course, you didn't. You were never there. You spent so much time with Lila, I felt like a shadow. Like I was being compared to her every time I walked into a room."

Troy turned to face her. "That was never my intention."

Jenna snapped, "Then you're delusional. Everyone could see it. Everyone but you."

Troy looked stricken but didn't argue. "I'm sorry. I spent time with her when I should have been with you."

Jenna turned away, looking out the window. "I need to be alone now. I'm not ready."