by J. J. Scotts
“It’s not a problem at all,” I continued. “We’ll get along just fine, won’t we Cosmo?” We’ll get along better than me and her owner, at any rate.
I rubbed between her ears and she began to purr. Eli gave me his broad grin. “Excellent! Now, let me go get the study materials for you.” He hurried away, but was back in a second with a handful of paper and three paperback books.
“This is the background Landon worked up, and Chase’s books, of course,” he said as he handed me the material. “The background takes into account that you lived in a small town and all that so it’s close to the truth. Easier to remember and all that.” Eli gave me a wink.
Eli leafed through the info as I held it in my hands. “You’ll need to know this stuff in and out,” he continued while nodding. “There’s an award banquet in a week. Kind of fast, but Chase is receiving an award for Best Fiction Series, and it’s a big deal. We want you ready then.”
“A week? I thought Landon said there wasn’t anything coming up soon.” My hand stilled on Cosmo’s back and I stared at Eli, wide-eyed, and gulped.
Eli looked from side to side. “Well, Landon thinks a week is more than enough time to get ready.” He paused, seemingly nervous. “You’ll do fine. For sure.” His expression shifted to a pearly white smile as he met my eyes. “You’ll have plenty of time to learn this stuff. I’ll be here to help you and so will Landon.”
I wasn’t too sure of that. Ready in a week? I mean, it’s doable with help and all, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get help from Landon. I shuddered internally thinking about Landon’s weirdly evil expression. Despite his golden-blond hair and relative good looks, he still looked scary as fuck. Well, maybe with Eli there it’d be okay. I glanced down at the sheaf of paper and books in my hands and mustered a smile. “Yeah, okay.”
I met Eli’s gaze again and tried to project confidence. He just nodded and walked over to the room’s entrance. “I’m glad you’re on board, Liam.” He knocked his knuckles against the doorframe. “Listen, I’m going to leave you to it. Landon and I need to head back to our office. But remember, if you need anything at all...”
“What about my stuff?” I suddenly remembered my forgotten things. “You said –”
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of that later…unless you need something now?” He seemed anxious to leave but also anxious to find out if I needed something.
I set the books down on top of the small bookshelf and flipped through the papers. “No, I’m fine. I mean, I’ll need my clothes, and there’s a picture of my family, but that’s about it really.”
“Oh! We’ve arranged for the closet and dresser to have everything you’ll need. All of it should be in your size. Please, do make yourself comfortable.” Eli made another grand gesture over to the closet.
They’d got a bunch of clothes for me in my size? How did they know my size? Seriously, what the hell? How did they know I’d take the offer? I guess Landon was very sure I’d be convinced, or compelled, to accept.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” He plucked a cell phone out of his pocket and held it out to me – the newest smartphone that I’d never be able to afford on my own.
“Wait, I have a cell phone,” I responded as I pulled out my old flip-phone.
Eli shook his head. “This is your phone from now on. All the numbers you need are on there already.” He frowned sympathetically and added, “I’m going to have to confiscate that.” He held out his hand.
“What? But what if…” I hesitated. It actually wasn’t very likely that I’d get a call from anyone – even from my parents…but it was still my phone.
“If you do get a call on that phone, Landon or I will let you know. If you must respond to the person, we will coach your response to make sure you don’t give anything away. I’m sure you understand how careful we have to be.” Eli searched my face for confirmation.
“Y-yeah, I guess so.” I handed Eli my phone. I didn’t want to part with it, but I also realized that I wouldn’t be missing out on any calls.
“Thank you,” Eli replied while putting the phone into his pocket. “Don’t hesitate to call Landon or myself whenever you need. Our numbers are programmed into your new phone.” He quickly turned and was gone down the hall, calling to his colleague, before I could react.
I looked from the brand-new, top-of-the-line phone in my hand to the luxurious room around me, and then to the pile of paperbacks on top of the bookshelf. Crossing to the closet, I pulled the door open. Just like the room, it was bigger than I thought it was going to be. It was like there was a mini bedroom in there! The walls were lined with shelves of clothes and shoes, and the racks were full of clothes all neatly lined up.
How did guys have this many clothes? I thought only women had enough clothes to fill this kind of space. This room was more like my apartment.
There was an array of shirts in various cuts and colors, jackets, pants, even a full tuxedo and several three-piece suits. Eyeballing them, it wasn’t hard to tell that they would most likely fit me perfectly.
“Wow.” Even though I was by myself, it was worth saying out loud. I looked over to Cosmo who was grooming herself on the edge of my bed. “What can’t money buy?”
She, of course, didn’t answer.
I closed the closet door and surveyed the rest of the room, as well as the attached bathroom. I felt like a tourist exploring some new historical exhibit. There wasn’t a single inch of it that wasn’t luxurious and well-appointed. When I was done with my inspection, I picked up the stack of paper Eli had given me and relaxed into the rocking chair by the window.
Cosmo watched me from her perch on the bed, yellow eyes inquisitive. I smiled. “Guess I better start reading up.”
Chapter 6
Several hours later, I was sprawled on the bed, surrounded by paper. I’d read through Chase’s outline of his series’ timeline, the character sheets for all of the major characters, and the detailed plots for all three books. He’d even included some notes about his thought process while developing the story – like how he’d first pictured the scene where Violet’s father wakes her in the middle of the night to hide her in his secret room, and then built the plot of the first book from there. He also included how he wrote the scenes out of order and pieced them together later.
I assumed he had to be thorough. As a fan of several mystery writers, I knew tidbits like that were the kind of thing other fans would love to hear. I hated to admit it, but it was pretty interesting to read about Chase’s thought process. He didn’t seem like he could understand the feelings of others well, but if he was able to develop his characters this well, he must have some feelings.
I yawned and stretched, glancing up and realizing it had gotten dark outside despite the lights from neighboring buildings. I’d raided the dresser earlier and changed into a pair of cotton pajama pants and a t-shirt. The material was softer, and fit better, than anything I’d ever worn in my life. Though it was cotton, it felt smoother than silk against my skin. I caught a glimpse of some boxer briefs in the dresser and almost put those on too, but I felt a little too embarrassed. Maybe later though. I couldn’t help but wonder what those would feel like.
Sitting comfortably on the comforter, Cosmo glared at me as I moved to sit at the edge of the bed, feet just touching the soft rug. Moody – just like Chase.
I sniffed the air around me. Was that food? I walked over to my door and slowly opened it to take a peek outside. From down the hall, I could smell the delicious aroma of something cooking, and my stomach grumbled. Damn, I forgot to eat lunch! I was too engrossed in my reading and worried about having it all memorized in time that now I was starving.
I leaned outside of my door, keeping my feet inside. It was impossible to see past the hall, but all I could think about was how bizarre it’d be to find Chase cooking. I couldn’t picture him in a kitchen, stirring a pot, or doing whatever it would take to fill the apartment with such mouth-watering aromas.
My stomach gr
owled loudly. Well, I might as well get myself something to eat. There had to be something for me to eat, right? I ventured out through the living room to the kitchen. What should I say if it was Chase in there cooking? Should I come up with a clever joke?
I stopped at the end of the hall. I knew from this morning that the kitchen was an open style merging with the living room area. I tried picturing it in my head. Someone would probably be standing in the kitchen just beyond the living room. Why was I nervous? It must’ve been the new surroundings.
I fixed my posture and stood tall as I strode around the corner and into the living room. The kitchen itself was as cool-looking and modern as the rest of the impressive apartment, of course, but it wasn’t Chase moving swiftly between the six-burner stove and the refrigerator.
He was dark-haired, but he couldn’t have been more than seventeen. He wore a chef coat, a baseball cap, and black jeans paired with Converse shoes. His eyes met mine and he flashed me a broad smile. His eyes were a pale gray.
“Hey! You must be Liam.” His voice was perky and bright – just what you’d expect from a young kid. He turned the sink faucet on and washed his hands before wiping them on the towel dangling over his thin right shoulder, and then proceeded to stick out his hand for me to shake. I hurried the rest of the way through the living room to the kitchen counter and took his hand, noting in my head the feeling of the kid’s callouses and scars from burns and nicks. Young as he was, he had clearly spent his fair share of time in a kitchen. “I’m Josh. The younger, better looking, more talented Preston.”
“And so modest, too!” I laughed my first real laugh of the day. Josh grinned and motioned me toward one of the stools that lined the broad kitchen island.
“I hope you’re hungry because I’m making a simple gruyere mac ’n cheese with bacon crumbles, some turmeric lime chicken thighs over saffron rice, and balsamic-braised Brussels sprouts. There’s panna cotta in the fridge for dessert.”
I gulped, the saliva pooling in my mouth. I wasn’t sure what all those things were, but they sounded freaking delicious. “Wait, you cooked for me too? Did you know I was going to be here?”
“Yup! I usually cook for Chase.” Josh turned to check the oven quickly before returning to whatever he was stirring on the stovetop. He cooks for Chase? The little brother cooks for the older brother…was that a normal thing?
“Um…how old are you? If you don’t mind me asking.” I hoped he didn’t because I was really curious.
“Sixteen,” Josh said cheerfully. He didn’t sound like he was bragging at all – like it was totally normal to be a proficient chef at sixteen.
“Whoa, really? When I was sixteen, I couldn’t cook more than a grilled cheese without setting the kitchen on fire.”
Josh laughed heartily, readjusting the cap on his head. “I’ve made my share of fires experimenting with recipes too.” I wasn’t talking about experimenting, but I could tell he was just trying to make me feel better.
The boyish chef pulled the pan off the stove and set it aside. He spun in a tight circle, yanking the fridge open and plucking a bottle of water out. His movements were deliberate and efficient. Sweat glistened by his short sideburns. He had similar features to Chase. His jawline was slightly too large on his narrow face, but there was no doubt that he’d grow into it.
He’d probably be just as attractive as Chase. Did all rich people have such good genes?
Josh held out another bottle of water in my direction and I nodded in thanks as I accepted it. “I think the most adventurous I get with cooking is trying out the mac ’n cheese in a box that comes with the cheese pre-made in a packet.”
“Well, then I think you’re really going to like this when you try it!” He chuckled, bending to remove a round dish full of heavenly smelling macaroni and cheese from the oven. “You won’t have to eat any of that processed junk while you’re here. Since I make most of Chase’s meals, I’ll be making yours as well.”
“Really? That’s very generous of you!” I took a gulp of the cool water. I felt really lucky. Living here really didn’t seem bad at all! “So, do you cook for your whole family?”
The kid bustled around dishing out the Brussels sprouts, setting the mac ’n cheese on a cooling rack, and peeking into the second oven. I had wondered why there were two small ovens…must be a rich people thing. “My parents are hardly ever home. Between work, charity events, traveling…” Josh shrugged. “Cooking for Chase gives me the opportunity to try out recipes. He lets me make just about anything.” He paused and his eyes shifted to the side as he thought to himself. “Well, except for using green peppers,” he added with a grin.
“Green peppers, huh?” I brushed the backs of my fingers against my cheek. So even Chase had some food he didn’t like?
“He hates them,” Josh replied, laughing to himself. “But that’s not hard to work around, and it’s all good practice for when I’m finished with high school.”
I remembered what Eli had said about Chase being homeschooled. “Are you homeschooled too?”
Josh nodded. “It’s great! It gives me a lot more time for researching ingredients and tinkering with recipes.” He removed the chicken from the second oven and began rummaging in cupboards for plates. “My parents say, when I’m ready, they’ll send me to Paris for better training.”
I watched in awe as Josh moved to a cutting board and began chopping some raw carrots. His hands moved rapidly, reducing the carrots to clean, perfect slits in what seemed like an instant.
“You seem well trained to me! I can’t even watch you do that without worrying for your fingers.” I winced, pointlessly thinking about my own fingers getting cut.
Josh laughed, gray eyes sparkling. “I’ve only ever nicked myself, nothing too severe. It kind of comes with the territory. I’m excited to get training in different types of cuisines.” He pulled a Tupperware bowl out and placed it next to the slices of carrots. “Just making something crunchy to go with the deconstructed sandwiches I’ve got set up for lunch tomorrow.”
“I don’t know what that means, but it sounds yummy.” I sipped my water, eyeing Josh’s quick, fluid movements as he finished chopping and stored the carrot sticks. I was more than a little amazed by his open, chatty, jovial demeanor. It was so different from his older brother’s guarded sarcasm. “Do you spend a lot of time over here?”
“Nah. I barely see Chase. He’s usually holed up in his study, working. The guy’s a machine. I want to be that way with my cooking, too.”
I hoped Josh wasn’t referring to Chase’s shitty attitude with others. I wanted to pry further and ask him what Chase had been like when he was younger.
Had he always been as cynical as he was now? If not, why was he such an asshole? Was it because of that scar on his face? How had he gotten that?
I guess it wasn’t too appropriate to ask.
Josh dished up a plate of chicken, rice, Brussels sprouts, and mac ’n cheese for me and placed it gently down on the island with a broad grin – it was so unlike his older brother’s snide smirk. I thanked him and drooled over the dish. God, it looked amazing!
“Enjoy!” He didn’t stop to make a plate for himself. He just continued hustling about, packaging up the leftovers.
“What about Chase?” The question was out of my mouth before I could think, and I cursed myself for wondering about him at all.
Josh just shrugged as he continued putting things away. “I usually just put his plate in the fridge so he can warm it up whenever he wants to eat.”
So, Chase didn’t eat with his little brother present or something? That didn’t seem like the best way to thank someone for taking the time to make you delicious food. Not that I cared. It seemed typical of Chase.
I turned my attention back to my plate of food, groaning in amazement as I took a bite of the mac ’n cheese. Holy crap! I lifted my head to get Josh’s attention. “This is amazing! I’m converted. No more box stuff for me ever.” The rich creaminess of the cheese and t
he slight bite of the bacon melted together deliciously on my tongue.
Josh beamed at my words. “Glad you’re enjoying it!” He had put away the last of the food and was going about cleaning up the dishes. “There’s plenty more if you’re still hungry when you’re done with that.” He used his head to motion to the leftovers.
I continued devouring the superb food while Josh finished cleaning up the kitchen. When he was done, it was like he had never cooked in there.
“This is so, so good,” I repeated to him.
He grinned at me as he put his knives away. “I’d love to stay and listen to you praise my cooking, but I’m meeting a friend at a place downtown where the chef does tableside, and I don’t want to miss it. His knife skills are supposed to be top-notch.”
I hastily swallowed a juicy bite of chicken I’d just shoved into my mouth and hurriedly wiped my lips on the napkin Josh had laid out for me. “Thanks, Josh. This is all incredible and I really appreciate it.”
