The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 31- You Want Me To Do What?

When I wake the next morning, Lindsay is already gone. We shared Ashton's bed last night (while he slept in Michael's room again), but she had some meeting to get to, so she had to leave early. As it is, it's only about seven in the morning. Why am I already awake? After stretching and swinging my feet over the side of the bed, I realize what woke me. Bacon.

I only take time to brush my teeth and splash water on my face before I sprint to the kitchen. Last night, by the time I got there for ice cream, all that was left was a pitiful scoop of rocky road. I hate nuts in desserts...so I was forced to suck all of the ice cream off of the almonds and spit them back into the bowl, just so I could have enough ice cream to even call a full scoop. This morning, I plan on getting my share before the boys inhale the whole kitchen.

Not able to stop my momentum in socks, I slide across the tiles into the kitchen. I skid to a stop, crashing into a body and nearly toppling to the floor.

"The hell, Steph?" Luke says with a laugh, placing his hands on my arms to steady me.

I regain my balance and take a step back. "Sorry. I just didn't want to miss the food."

Luke nods in understanding and points to the plate of bacon. Without having to be told twice, I make my way to the delicious strips of salty goodness and grab two.

"You can take more than two pieces, Steph, we have plenty."

I shrug, not wanting to be rude and take too many. Sitting at the bar, I watch as Luke loads the next batch of strips onto the griddle. I admire the way I can see the muscles in his back pull taut as he flips them over to the other side. Suddenly, my mind returns to our encounter last night. I feel my cheeks getting hot at the memory, so I shake it away and decide to start talking to keep the treacherous thoughts at bay.

"So are you always the breakfast guy?" I ask.

"We rotate," he says, smirking at me. "You want some toast or something at least?"

I smile and nod.

He puts the bread in the toaster, and when it comes out, he grabs a jar from the cabinet and starts to smear something on it. It looks suspiciously like moldy jelly.

"What is that?" I ask.

"You've never had vegemite?" His hand goes to his chest as if warding off a heart attack.

"Nope. It looks kind of gross."

He pushes the bread towards me and crosses his arms. "This is going to be great. I get to take your vegemite virginity."

I scrunch up my face. "That just made it sound twenty times grosser than it looks..."

He laughs. "You're right. But just taste it. It's like a staple for us around here."

I peer at the suspicious looking spread. "Can I have something to drink in case I hate it?"

He pours me a glass of orange juice and sets it on the bar. Hesitantly, I put the bread to my mouth and nibble. As soon as the yeasty flavor hits my tongue, I start shaking my head.

"Nope!" I say, before downing a swig of orange juice.

Luke laughs, plucking the toast from my fingers and taking a big bite out of it. "You'll get used to the taste."

"Used to it?" I scoff. "I'm never eating that again!"

"Never say never." He finishes it off and passes me the other piece that remains undefiled by that nasty spread. Unhappily, since they use that devilish jelly, they don't have any butter or anything, so I end up munching on hard bread. But it's better than nothing, so I don't complain. Not aloud at least.