CHAPTER 3 - Like A Cat

/THEO/

Living with Lorcan was harder than I assumed. Maybe I'd been a bit too confident.

I had been in the apartment for three days, and I had already broken Rule #1 at least fifteen times. It wasn’t on purpose though. I was just used to a house where silence meant someone was angry or sick. So, every time I saw Lorcan’s tall, broad frame moving toward the kitchen or the front door, my brain automatically fired off a "Good morning!" or "Hey, how was your day?"

Every single time, Lorcan would just stiffen, give me a look that could freeze boiling water, and keep walking.

By the fourth morning, I decided to change my strategy. If he wouldn't let me be a friend, I’d be a top-tier roommate. I woke up at 5:30 AM—thirty minutes before his kitchen "time slot"—and got to work. I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and made a batch of breakfast sandwiches: toasted brioche, fluffy eggs, and crispy bacon.

I set a plate on the island, placed a steaming mug next to it, and scribbled on a neon yellow sticky note: I made extra. Hope your meetings go well! - Theo.

Then, I scurried back to my room like a mouse and cracked the door just enough to see out.

At exactly 6:00 AM, Lorcan emerged. He had on a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I hated how good looking he was sometimes. His personality was wasting his good looks.

He stopped dead when he saw the island. He stared at the sandwich for a long time, his brow furrowing as if he were trying to solve a complex math equation. He looked around the empty living room, his eyes lingering on my closed door for a second, before he finally sat down.

He took a bite and I held my breath. He didn't gag, which I took as a win. He finished the whole thing and even drank the coffee before washing the dishes and disappearing back into his room. He didn't say thanks, but he didn't throw it in the trash either.

"Step one of the friendship mission is a success," I whispered to my reflection in the mirror.

Later that afternoon, I had to head back to Mayla’s. I still had two boxes of books and some winter clothes to move, and as much as I loved my new freedom, I missed my niece even if she knew how to get on my nerves.

The Beckett house felt different when I walked in. It was still beautiful and smelled like expensive candles, but it felt hollow. I was taping up my last box when a shadow fell across the doorway.

"Need a hand with that?"

I looked up to see Nevan leaning against the doorframe. He had his hands in his pockets, his tie loosened. He looked tired, but when he saw me, he offered that warm, easy smile that had always made me feel like part of the family.

Damn it! I wouldn't have come today if I knew he'd be home.

"I’m almost done, Nevan. Thanks, though," I said, focusing on the tape.

"Theo, come here for a second. Let's talk in the study."

I followed him, my heart feeling heavy in my chest. He sat behind his large desk and motioned for me to take the leather chair across from him.

"I spoke to Mayla," Nevan began, his voice soft. "She’s worried about you. And to be honest, I am too. I know you want to be independent, but jumping into a roommate situation with a stranger in a residential district... it’s a big shift from what you’re used to."

"I'm handling it," I said, clutching the arms of the chair.

"I don't doubt that you're capable, Theo. You've always been hardworking, but you don't have to struggle just to prove a point." He opened a drawer and pulled out a thick white envelope. He slid it across the desk toward me. "This is just something to help with the deposit and the first few months of groceries. Consider it an interest-free loan from a brother. You can pay me back whenever you land that big corporate job."

I stared at the envelope. It probably contained more money than I’d made in the last six months at the cafe. A year ago, I would have hugged him and thanked him for being so supportive. Now, looking at his kind face, all I could think about was the woman at the hotel.

How could he be so nice to me while he was lying to my sister? Was his whole life just a series of performances?

"I can't take this, Nevan," I said, pushing the envelope back.

"Theo, don't be stubborn—"

"I'm not being stubborn. I just want to do this on my own," I interrupted, my voice shaking slightly. "You’ve already done enough. You paid for my school. You let me stay here for years. I’m done taking, Nevan. I need to be the one providing for once."

Nevan sighed, a look of genuine disappointment crossing his face. "I respect that. I really do. But if you ever find yourself in over your head, don't let your pride stop you from calling. We’re family, Theo. That doesn't change just because you moved a few miles away."

‘Family doesn't lie to each other,’ I wanted to say. Instead, I just nodded, stood up, and left the room.

I found Mayla in the kitchen, and after a long, tearful goodbye with Blanche—who made me promise to bring her a "cool rock" from my new neighborhood—I hauled my boxes to the bus stop.

By the time I got back to the apartment, the sun was setting. I was exhausted and emotionally drained. The encounter with Nevan had left me feeling like a traitor. I hated that I still felt a sense of gratitude toward him even though I loathed what he was doing.

The apartment was quiet when I walked in. I headed straight for the kitchen to get a glass of water, and I stopped when I saw the island.

The plate and mug from this morning were gone. The countertop was sparkling clean, wiped down so thoroughly it shone under the pendant lights. My yellow sticky note was gone, too.

I looked at the trash can. It wasn't in there.

I looked at the fridge. There, held up by a small, plain magnet, was my yellow sticky note. Lorcan hadn't thrown it away. 

A small, tired smile spread across my face. He was still a grouch, and he still hadn't said a single word to me, but he’d kept the note.

I went to my room and collapsed onto my bed. Tomorrow was the interview at Aegis Logistics. I needed to be sharp. I needed to get that job so I could eventually pay Nevan back every cent and never have to look at his "kind" face again.

As I drifted off to sleep, I heard the faint clicking of a keyboard coming from the next room. Lorcan was still awake, still working.

"You're not the only one who's going to work hard, Mr. Armoni," I muttered into my pillow. "Just you wait.”