“I didn’t realize staying alive was a game, but I sure hope it keeps working. You want some oatmeal?” Charity measured out some water and dumped it into a pot on the stove.
“He only sees you as his duty, you know,” Yasmine continued, undeterred. “He’s protecting the damsel in distress because that’s his job, and he’s damn good at his job.”
Charity threw a thumbs-up over her shoulder. “Gold star to you for the worst pep talk ever. Now, about that oatmeal…”
Yasmine huffed and sauntered toward the cabinets. “You’re no threat to me.” She extracted two coffee cups before filling them. “Watch your back, honey.”
“Dude, I’m not even into him,” Charity said, exasperated. “We fight, like, most of the time. You’re exactly right; there is no threat— Okay, you’re walking away. You don’t care.” She rolled her eyes and snatched up her phone as she waited for the water to boil.
She’d missed calls from both Macy and Andy.
Text from Macy: I gotta talk to Devon this morning. Need ride to school?
Text from Andy: We got class today, yo. Im so gonna sit next to you ;)
Text from Andy: I called u. Did u do homework? Need help. Im coming over.
Charity smiled. Lovable douche, that one.
“Hey.”
She jumped as Macy strolled in and took a seat at the island.
Macy grinned. “Scared you?”
“No. I was doing calisthenics.” Charity scowled. “Make more noise when you walk around, would you?”
“Sorry. I’m not used to hanging out with deaf humans.”
“I’m not a deaf human. I’m a deaf magical being with no real control over her life and said magic.” Heaviness filled her chest, stifling her smile. She measured out the oatmeal.
“How are you?” Macy asked, her expression turning serious.
Charity shrugged.
“Do you want a hug, a punch, or a change of subject?” Macy asked, deadpan.
Charity couldn’t help but laugh. “Change of subject, please.”
“Did you figure out your phone and computer?” Macy asked, bringing out her own phone. “Because I’m happy to make fun of you if you didn’t. Help. I mean, I’m happy to help you.”
Charity laughed, the dark cloud over her mood quickly lifting. Why couldn’t all friendships be this easy?
“I’ve got all the basics down,” Charity said. “I need to steal Devon’s CDs and figure out how to load them up. The computer doesn’t have a CD drive, though. Also…I haven’t seen any CDs lying around.”
“No, because it isn’t 2001. I thought he said he created a family plan with you when he bought everything. You should have access to his music subscription. I have one if you want to mooch off me—”
“When he bought everything?” Charity asked.
Macy paused. “The phone and computer, yeah. Isn’t that what you’re talking about?”
“He said Roger bought them.”
Macy froze with her eyebrows raised. “Oh. Ahuum.” She squinted with her eyebrows still raised, a weird expression that clearly implied she’d accidentally outed a secret.
Charity turned back to the pot. “Why would Devon buy me that stuff?” she murmured, warmth filling her chest despite herself. She was cool with him giving her emotional support, since that was his duty as alpha, and as Yasmine had said, he was damned good at his job. But this was…thoughtful. Disguising his kindness by giving someone else credit was even more so. It showed he had a big heart. It showed that he cared about the wellbeing of those around him, even when it wasn’t necessary.
“What are you making?” Macy asked, clearly seeing the need for another topic change.
“Oatmeal,” Charity said, happy for the continued distraction. “I have enough for you and Andy, if you want some?”
“Ew, no thanks. When’s Andy showing up?”
Devon entered the kitchen in sweats and a T-shirt, a coffee cup in hand. He made a beeline for the stove, as was becoming the norm.
“Devon, I need a word with you,” Macy said in a low voice, staring at her hands.
He ignored Macy as he glanced into the bubbling pot. “I’m getting tired of this stuff.”
“What did you eat before I made oatmeal for you?” Charity asked.
“Nothing. I didn’t eat breakfast.”
She gave him a blank stare, allowing him to realize for himself how ridiculous he was being.
Instead, he turned back to Macy. “We’ll speak after I have my shower and coffee.”
Silence filled the kitchen. Devon leaned against the counter, staring at Charity with a familiar expression. This was the way he’d looked at her that first night, when she’d been wearing Samantha’s dress. Those beautiful speckled eyes of his had a way of cutting right through her.
She lifted her eyebrows. “Can I help you?”
He didn’t so much as blink. It almost seemed like he was trying to solve a riddle.
“Staring is rude,” she muttered. “And obnoxious.”
“We need groceries,” he said as Yasmine walked in and stalled at the edge of the kitchen.
“Fascinating observation, Watson. I shall make a note,” Charity said, proud she’d kept the discomfort out of her tone. She wondered if Roger would give her an advance even though she was on a trial period. He had to know she needed it.