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The pan feels slick in my grip. Sweat or oil, I’m not sure.
Everything moves in slow motion, but the meat moves too fast.
“Shit!”
My wrist twists to compensate, muscle memory failing when I need it most. The plate tilts, falls from my grip, and catches the counter’s edge with a crack.
Porcelain shatters, and the meat hits the floor with a wet slap that echoes in my skull, while the sauce splatters across my feet, the cabinets, everywhere
The perfect crust I’d achieved collects dirt from the floor.
Maybe Dad was right. Maybe I don’t belong in a kitchen. Maybe I never did.
My phone buzzes on the counter, but I can’t look away from the mess at my feet.
Some things break too completely to fix.
I slide down the cabinet, head between my knees. How the hell am I supposed to cook for Elijah on Sunday when I can’t even manage a basic fucking steak?
Keys jingle in the lock. Shit.
“Brandon?” Naomi’s footsteps pause. “What’s that smell?”
“Don’t come close.” I scrub at my face, but there’s no hiding this disaster zone. Fucking pathetic.
She stands beside the counter, taking in the carnage. Broken plate, ruined food, me on the floor like some kicked puppy. Her eyes widen, then soften.
“Just had a little accident.” I push myself up, avoiding her gaze.
She navigates around the broken pieces toward me. “Brandon.”
I hold up my hand. “I’m fine.”
“Talk to me.” Her fingers graze my arm, cold against my skin.
I grab them, covering them with mine to warm her up. “Nothing to say.”
“You’re cooking again.”
“Trying to.” I gesture at the mess. “Failing spectacularly.”
“Why now?”
I don’t. I can’t look at her. Can’t see that softness in her eyes that makes me want to spill everything. “Told Elijah I’d cook for him. Sunday.”
“That’s… big.”
“Yeah.” I absently trace patterns on her palm. “Thought I could handle it.”
“And?”
The broken plate mocks me from the floor. “Look around, cupcake. Pretty clear I can’t.”
“The Brandon Milton I know wouldn’t let that stop him.”
“The Brandon Milton you know is currently wearing half his dinner.”
“So make another one.”