Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods #7) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,81

much drama I’m instantly irritated.

“What are you doing?” I yell.

“This place needs ventilation and light.”

I squint as sunlight streams into the room. “Stop that!” I shout. “I’m watching a movie. There’s glare on the screen.”

“You’re a pig!” Tri shouts, his eyes moving about the place.

I shrug. “I had a couple of pizzas.” I look around the room. I hadn’t really noticed, but the counter is covered in takeout boxes. “And some Chinese,” I mumble. “And maybe some—”

“And a couple of beers.” Trident picks up one of the bottles on the coffee table. “And whiskey.”

There are three empty bottles. I shrug. “It’s not like I can get drunk.”

“It’s a fucking pigsty in here. None of us have seen you in weeks.”

“I’m fine.”

“Back to the ‘I’m fine’ bullshit. You, my friend, are not fine at all. You’re wallowing in self-pity, and it has to stop today. Right now. Get up off that sofa!” Tri yells at me.

“No! I’m watching—”

“I don’t give a fuck.” He glances at the screen. There’s a picture of a screaming orc in the midst of battle. He’s an ugly mother.

“Reminds me of someone,” I mutter.

“Don’t you dare. I’m here because I care. I won’t let you wallow for a moment longer.” He grabs a bunch of pizza boxes and opens my trashcan. Then he turns and gags. When he turns back, his eyes are watering.

“I guess I might have forgotten to take out the trash,” I mutter.

“You’re doing it now.” He closes the can with a flourish. “Then you’re showering.”

I mutter something about him being a controlling asshole.

“What was that, you ungrateful ass-hat?” he yells at me.

“I’m going through shit, and you’re here shouting. How’s that helping me?” I shout back.

“Are you looking for sympathy? A shoulder to cry on, perhaps?”

I shake my head.

“I didn’t think so.” He digs through a couple of cupboards in the kitchen until he finds the garbage bags. “You’ve had enough time to feel sorry for yourself. You need to pick yourself up and carry on.”

“I want to watch my movie, and—” I’m not feeling it.

“Manny says you haven’t been to the gym.” He folds his arms.

I shrug.

“No one has seen you,” he tries some more.

“I haven’t felt much like socializing.”

“Listen up and listen good…” Trident is so serious it would be comical if it not for the way I’m feeling inside. “I have a feeling Nia is coming back,” he tells me.

Like a pussy my heart beats a little faster for a moment or two. “Don’t say it.” I stand, pointing a finger at Tri. “Don’t you dare fucking say that.”

“I mean it. You guys had feelings for each other. She had feelings for you, bro.”

I shake my head. “It was one-sided. She was hurt too badly. Her trust broken. That kind of thing takes time to come back from. It could be months…might be never.” I feel my chest tighten. I can’t believe how shitty I feel. How much I miss her.

“I think you’re wrong. Either way, you need to get on with your life. If she comes back to you…to this…” Tri shakes his head. “She’ll turn around and run. If I wasn’t such a good friend, I’d run too.”

“I told you, she’s not coming back.” Unless she’s pregnant. It’s my last hope. A long shot, but a possibility.

“Sort yourself out for you, then. For us, your friends. We’re all worried about you. Clean this house…clean yourself… Fuck!” He makes a face. “Then get back into the gym. You’re looking soft around the middle.”

I look down, lifting my stained shirt. My abs are rock hard. Nothing has changed in that department. I have my genes to thank for that. “You might be right,” I say. “You’ll help clean the house?” Now that I’m really looking, I’m shocked at how bad it is. I can smell the trash. I’ve been in a bit of a daze.

Tri rolls his eyes. “The things I do for my friends.” He grins at me. “I’ll help, but then we’re going out.”

I don’t like the prospect much, but Tri is right. I need to get out of this funk. I nod. “Deal.”

26

Nia

One week later…

I look in the mirror. I look the same. I turn to the side and look at my profile. I feel the same as always. My stomach is flat. My breasts are no different. I cup them. There’s no tenderness. They’re not swollen. I don’t have cramps. I normally get cramps just before my menstruation. I should have cramps by now. I think