didn’t deny it, remembering Theo’s concern when she came home. “Does it bother you?”
His brows furrowed. “Not at all. In fact …” his words trailed off.
She cocked her head, waiting for him to elaborate.
He shook his head as if changing his mind. “You’re right. He’ll come around.” There was something in his eyes that communicated ‘later’ and there was a reluctance in his gait as he headed to her door. He exited the room without looking back.
“And that’s that,” Gabby said to the wall, but an uneasiness coiled in her gut. Declan wanted to tell her something but changed his mind. All signs pointed that it was about Theo and she was either too tired to press him, or she was just plain chicken shit to talk about it.
13
Gabby slept like the dead for twelve hours. She woke up more refreshed than she’d ever been. This wasn’t new. She’d have days where she’d operate with a buzz followed by days she’d walk around like a zombie and that was when she knew a recharge was needed. Which was why she blocked everything from her mind except the need for sleep. If she didn’t, she’d be useless to everyone.
Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten before bed. Exiting her bedroom, she headed to the kitchen and noticed light flickering in the darkness, most likely from the television. She had an idea who it was. She’d been a teenager once.
Theo sat in the middle of a sectional sofa with earphones on, eyes focused on the screen with his hands on a gaming controller. She wondered if she should just return to her bedroom, but she was really hungry, and she’d be damned if she’d tiptoe around her brother for three months. Might as well establish a comfortable coexistence—“comfortable” being a relative term.
His eyes flicked briefly in her direction.
“Feeling better?” he asked, still riveted on the screen.
“Like a champ.” She shrugged. “Concussion feels like a memory.” Turning her attention to the TV, she asked, “Whatcha playing?”
“Call of Duty.” He paused the game and gave her his full attention, yanking off his headphones. “You know how to play?”
Gabby shook her head. “Not really. That’s Kelso’s territory.” She pointed to the kitchen. “Going to grab something to eat. Want anything?”
In the dim light of the living room, Theo’s face was shadowed, his eyes dark, but they were studying her. “If I say I do, are you going to eat with me or retreat to the bedroom?”
“I was planning to eat with you. Bring something here. So we could kick back and chat.” Gabby frowned. “Got a problem with that?”
“Nah … figured you would.” Theo cocked his head. “I believe there’s some of that mac and cheese left. Your Captain … Mitchell?”
“Yes?”
“His wife dropped by with some fried chicken.” His teeth flashed briefly. “Sorry. We ate it all.”
Gabby chuckled as she made her way to the kitchen. “Guess that’s expected with teenagers in the house.”
From her peripheral vision, she saw her brother rise from the couch and follow her to the kitchen. The under-cabinet lights were on, so she didn’t have to fumble her way toward it. She flicked on the main switch and flooded the area with light. She took out the lone aluminum pan in the fridge and set it on the counter, and took a peek at the mac and cheese. “You guys did put a dent in this. There’s probably two cups of mac and cheese left in here.” She wondered why no one transferred it into a smaller container instead of squeezing the aluminum pan in the refrigerator. “You want this?”
Theo shrugged. “What will you eat?”
She glanced back into the depths of the fridge and saw some Chinese takeout containers. Her empty stomach roiled. Nope. Not at four in the morning. She spotted a few apples in the produce drawer and her mouth watered, hoping the rest of the ingredients were handy.
Grabbing the fruit, she walked over to the pantry.
“That’s not gonna hold you.” The teenager informed her.
“No shit,” she said. Her eyes fell on the whole-grain bread and peanut butter. “Hallelujah.” She turned to Theo, a triumphant smile on her face. “I’m good with this.”
Her brother looked at her doubtfully. “That’ll be enough?”
“Carbs, protein, and fat,” she declared. “Perfect balance.”
Theo rubbed the stubble on his jaw, still not looking too impressed. “Mind if I try it with you?”
Gabby hitched her shoulders, indicating she didn’t mind, while Theo put the mac and cheese back in the fridge.