Page 117 of Pretty Broken Wings

To ease the tension, I ask, “You gonna drink that, or?”

“Fuck you,” Axel says, but this time, it has no bite to it. “I am kinda hungry, though. Fetch me some food, why don’t you.”

“Get your own food, you lazy fuck,” I say, but there’s no bite to my words. I start moving to the doorway.

“Oh, and Gage?”

I stop.

Axel's voice drops. “It wasn’t your fault.” And then, with a shuffle of socked feet, he’s gone.

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

I help Gage with his work, and neither of us mentions the almost-kiss in the kitchen. There’s an odd tension between us that I’ve determined to ignore. This is my job. I’ve saved up a nice amount of cash, stashing it in different places so Gage can’t steal it from me as easily. It’s going to set me up nicely. The thought is both comforting and unsettling.

I’m going to have to start over. Like, completely over. I won’t know anyone, and that thought freaks me out.

Buddy adjusts her head where she has it on my lap. Whenever we work, she’s here, touching or drooling on me in some way. My chest tightens. I’ll have to leave Buddy.

“Does it… smell in here to you?” Gage wrinkles his nose, looking around.

“Oh, uh… no?” It definitely does. There’s a hint of spoiled milk.

“I changed the trash,” Gage mutters.

I wait for the satisfaction that I expected, but it feels a little hollow. Gage has been nice to me, and I feel guilty that I fucked with his things. Axel’s? Sure. Not Gage’s.

Then, Gage shrugs, and I see his shoulders tense. He starts to wipe his hands on his pants—grey sweatpants that I’ve been trying so fucking hard to keep my eyes off—and clears his throat.

“Uh, I was wondering if… Do you want to go to the bookstore later?”

I blink.

“It’s okay if not,” Gage says quickly. “I just wanted to get something. You don’t have to.” He grabs the pile of papers in front of him and then picks them up to straighten them.

Why the fuck is he nervous? It’s odd to see such a big, grumpy man look so uncomfortable. It’s almost… cute. And now I definitely feel guilty about his living room.

I immediately stifle that thought and say, “Sure, whatever you want.” I’m getting paid to help him, so I may as well get paid to go to the bookstore. Plus, I wouldn’t mind getting out of the house for a bit. The smell is kinda giving me a headache.

“Cool.” For a second, Gage’s face lights up. “I’ll get changed.”

I stare at him as he walks away like his ass is on fire. Why the hell is he acting so weird? This is just an errand, right?

What if it’s not just an errand?

My stupid, dumbass heart kicks up a beat. He asked if I wanted to go. Like it was optional. Like… he asked me to hang out with him.

Now, my heart is flying.

No. It’s not optional. I’m here to help him.

I get up to get ready and find myself in front of the mirror, studying how I look. I haven’t put makeup on in a long time, and my hair is slightly tangled. I get it brushed out and debate throwing some makeup on.

Wait, why am I even thinking about that? I didn’t even consider mascara with the Halloween costume. Plus, it’s not like he can really see it anyway.

It’s just because he made a show about getting dressed. Fuck, I should have asked him what he was going to wear. Should I now? It’s just a bookstore, right?

I go back and forth for a second, then throw some quick makeup on and step out into the hallway. I find Gage in the kitchen, and he is in a light blue suit.