Page 22 of Pretty Broken Wings

“Oh, uh… yeah,” Raven says, her tone different.

My cheeks heat, and I rescue the sandwich, finding that the bread has fallen off the inside. I hate when people act differently because of my vision difference. I’m just as fucking capable.

I start eating so I don’t murder everyone in the store. I don’t even taste the first few bites, I’m eating so fast. As I eat, I don’t see her moving or eating anything.

“I can wait while you get something,” I say.

“Uh, not hungry.”

Something uncomfortable skitters across my skin. It’s lunchtime. Is she trying to be obstinate?

But I try to focus on my sandwich. What a woman eats or doesn’t eat isn’t any of my business.

“So this guy is a real piece of shit, huh?” I see and hear Raven messing with the papers.

“Yeah.”

“So, what do you do?” Her voice is less aggressive and more hesitant.

“What do you mean?” I glare in her direction. Can’t she see I’m trying to eat? I fucking hate people who talk shop on lunch break.

“Like, is this lady going to get the house? Half of his money?”

“That’s the plan,” I bite back. If she doesn’t get half of everything, then I’ve done a shitty job.

Raven is silent for a bit.

Once I finish eating, I feel a little better. Raven is also less hostile. She reads me the notes with less of a tone and even remembers details that I forget.

My phone goes off a few times in my pocket, but I ignore it. I know who it is. It’s Axel. And the knowledge that he’s pissed that Raven is with me, even for these few hours, brings me way more satisfaction than it should. It almost erases the throbbing headache behind my temples.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

22 Years Old

“You’re awfully short.” Max, the man training me, throws a look over his shoulder. I just met him today, and I was struck at first by his presence. He seemed chill and like nothing bothered him. So different than anyone I grew up around.

I stride to keep up with him. The manufacturing plant is still loud, even though it’s midnight.

“Yeah, well. So are you.”

Max laughs and throws a look back. For a second, I’m afraid I’ve pissed him off. But then, I catch the teasing glint in his eye. “Real original there, short stack.”

I snort. I just got this job. I graduated with an English degree, but jobs in that field are few and far between. I was offered a job as a personal assistant at this manufacturing plant, but I didn’t want to get stuck there, jumping to do the bidding of lazy men who couldn’t do it themselves. So when I saw a security guard opening pop up in the same company, I jumped at it. And shockingly, I got it. I’m sure they had a diversity quota to meet, but still, I’m here.

Max shows me all around the plant. It’s a fucking maze, and I know without a doubt I’ll get lost a few times before I can get everything down. He keeps up the light banter the whole time, and despite the fact that it’s my first day, I feel at ease. Max is easy to talk to. Like my childhood friend, Kimmy was.

On lunch break, Max takes me to the large front office. It’s nothing but floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto a pond with a fountain. It’s surprisingly bright in here.

“I usually keep the lights off.” Max waves at the space. “I don’t know, it’s kinda peaceful.”

I sit on the end of a couch, opening up my lunchbox.

“So. You Amish or something?”

I glance up at Max. He raises an eyebrow from under his security ballcap. He’s cute, and I find myself feeling a weird fluttering in my stomach, which I immediately stomp down. I didn’t date much in college. Secretly, I wanted to, but… I don’t know. Hard to meet a guy when you spend every spare minute in a book.

“No?” I furrow my brows at him.