Page 8 of Finding a Melody

“Stop acting like a stranger. Everyone worries about you.” Amy pulled me into a brief hug before walking to her car.

Chapter Three

I’d ended up just meeting Bryan at my house for a quick tour of the system, then as soon as he was out the door, I’d gone to sleep. Even in the early morning, my eyes felt extra crusty as I forced myself to get moving.

They all wanted to get on the road early to have time to do stuff in Combich before the game. I was tempted to shake them and ask them what was wrong with them. Leaving at seven in the morning to be there in time for lunch was insane in my books.

“Damn, you look like you’re going to fall back to sleep standing,” Seth said as I stepped out on my porch.

I moaned. “How are you guys already functional?”

“Here.” Seth held out something wrapped in foil.

I eyed it warily.

Seth chuckled. “It’s a breakfast burrito. With that salsa you like.”

My eyes grew bigger as I snatched it away from him. Seth was a cooking genius and when we had tacos together, I got to try his salsa. I never attached perfection to food before I ate his salsa, but damn, it really was perfect.

Someone else chuckled as I opened the wrapping and took a huge bite. Right away I could taste the salsa, but also everything else in it. Egg, cheese, sausage, avocado. Was that jalapenos? Oh and a hint of lime too. Damn.

“I think I’m jealous.”

I finally got past how delicious the food was to see Seth grinning big as he watched me, hands shoved in his jean pockets. At the bottom of the steps to my porch, Toby and Bryan were there watching me.

“What?” I asked around a mouthful of food, only getting more chuckles.

“He makes good food, right?” Toby said.

“Really good.” I took another bite as Seth moved to grab my bag. “I can get it.”

Seth shook his head. “I got this. You enjoy your food before you have to start driving.” He walked over to my car.

Bryan was scowling at my car when I looked at him.

“What?” I asked.

“When are you going to start parking in your garage? It’s safer for you.”

My cheeks heated as I looked away. “I forgot.”

“You can’t keep forgetting, especially after some bastard tried to get their dirty hands on you.”

“Enough, Bryan,” Seth called out as he stood waiting patiently by my car.

“Oh.” I reached down and hit the unlock button to my car and the button to release the trunk.

Seth opened my trunk and paused, staring down into it.

“What?” Toby asked, picking up on his reaction. “Is there a dead body in there? Cadence, you have to tell us that kind of information so we can help you. Who do we have to bury?” He talked as he came around to look too.

“Why would I keep a dead body in my trunk? That’s asking for the police to find out,” I said, confused by Seth’s reaction.

Toby looked down, tilting his head to the side. Then a massive smile stretched across his face. “Okay, no dead body yet, but who do you plan to kidnap? I’ll still help.”

“What are you talking about?” I huffed out and came around to see what had them all shocked. Even Bryan was staring at my trunk with a frown.

I looked down, seeing nothing weird.