Page 18 of Finding a Melody

So this was pretty remarkable for me. Especially since it was Bryan doing it.

From the moment he surprised us all by saying he was cooking for their weekly Sunday dinner, all I could do was watch and wonder. And worry. I was definitely a little worried.

The others didn’t really bat an eye as they took over Seth’s living room and got down into a competitive racing game. I wish I could do the same. We were all still feeling sluggish from traveling to and from the away game, especially Paxon. So we opted to take it easy today. Or in Toby’s words: Fuck homework.

So, I had plopped myself down in the kitchen and kept an eye on Bryan, feeling like he was too close to chopping a finger off. Bryan wasn’t experienced like I thought, but he wasn’t totally inept either. He knew what he was doing, but only just barely.

Which made it painful to watch as he cut up vegetables slowly and added them into the pot. I wasn’t much better than him, but I was pretty sure there was an order to making soup, and he was definitely not following it.

I pressed my lips together, trying to hold back the need to help him. Bryan didn’t say anything to me and I didn’t want to distract him. And that was how I spent my time as he made a creamy white chicken alfredo soup.

“If you’re just going to stare at me, set the table. It’ll be done soon.”

“Didn’t you just add the vegetables?” I asked.

“And as soon as they are cooked, dinner is ready. Set the table.”

I huffed as I jumped down from the bar stool and gathered bowls, doing what he said and setting up the bar table. There was an actual kitchen table, but Seth liked to keep it covered with papers, books, and his laptop. So we often used the bar table in the kitchen to eat instead.

Once dinner was ready, the guys all swarmed to the table and quickly gobbled it up. The food was good and for a long time, all we could hear was the tinkling of spoons against bowls as everyone slurped up their portions.

“I’m surprised, you can cook,” I said, leaning back and patting my full stomach.

“What makes you think I wouldn’t know how to cook?” Bryan asked.

I stared at my empty bowl, wanting more and wondering if jumping jacks would help make room. Between the soup and the garlic bread, I barely had any room left to breathe.

“Because not many high school boys even know how to cook ramen noodles, let alone something as wonderful as this.” I smirked. “And besides, with Seth’s amazing barbequing, why would you need to learn?”

Everyone chuckled and Bryan relaxed. The moment I mentioned my surprise, he had tensed right up, preparing to go on the offense. He probably thought I was going to mention his servants doing it for him. I knew better than to do that. He was sensitive about his wealth and I wasn’t going to throw it in his face. That was cruel and I was hoping we were past that now. Sure, we didn’t get off to a good start, but he was growing on me. Bryan was a hard man to get close to and I still barely understood him, but I knew one thing for sure: he loved his friends and he’d do everything to take care of them.

“Now what?” Toby asked.

“Movie time!”

Toby cheered, climbing to his feet and pulling me to mine.

I groaned, too full to move.

“Suck it up until you get to the couch.” Toby laughed.

“I can carry you, if you want,” Paxon teased. They all laughed when my face turned pink. Seth was all smiles as he glanced around at everyone, reminding me of what I had told him not even a week ago.

That made me feel warm. Genuine friendship.

“My feet still work. I think I can manage,” I grumbled and made my way to Seth’s living room. I plopped down on the couch with a sigh, stretching out my limbs. I was feeling a little sore the last couple of days, but not so bad that I’d need to take any pain pills.

Toby, Paxon, and Bryan argued over what movie to watch while I just waited. I didn’t have a preference, barely even aware of what movies were hitting big or coming out. Ask me about music and I could name the top ten songs of the week, the up and coming artists, and those who were phasing out. But ask me about movies and shows, and I couldn’t even name a single one.

Seth settled down next to me, smiling still.

Eventually everyone found a spot on the couches or floor and we watched whatever Toby decided on.

It ended up being an action movie about some guy kicking ass while navigating a human trafficking ring, all to get his daughter back. Frankly, it was hard for me to watch, thinking about an old friend of mine. Janice. I truly hoped she was okay. Ever since I helped her find her freedom, I lost touch with her. We both agreed it was for the best.

Didn’t mean I didn’t miss her. She had been my first female friend.

“Let me see your legs,” Seth whispered.