Meat

Chapter Five

Priya swung her leg over the motorbike and stood up straight. She kicked the stand and kept a tight grasp on the handlebars until it was secure. Flipping up the visor of her helmet, she glanced around the courtyard. A large truck was parked just inside the broad wooden gates, the driver's side door flung wide. The midday sun sent light between the leaves of the beech tree, a dappled pattern across the grass and gravel beneath.

Pulling off her helmet, Priya flattened the static out of her hair with her palm. She hung the helmet from the handlebar. There was no reason to take it with her out here, not like in the city. A long dark sheet of hair rippled down her back as she strode across the courtyard, unzipping her jacket as she went.

The back door stood open, propped wide with a heavy clay plant pot. There was soil ingrained into the cracks but no plant, only a collection of tin cans and milk bottles. A line of wellington boots stood along the wall, leading the eye into the kitchen. Surprisingly, the kitchen was empty. Priya didn't think she could remember the last time she'd come in without at least one person seated at the table or bent over the sink.

Shrugging her jacket from her shoulders, she hung the heavy leather over the back of the chair at the end of the table. She glanced at the fridge, her stomach threatening to growl, but she set off through the house, peeking into the family room.

A sound resembling a tug boat rumbled through the air. Priya leaned further around the door frame, grinning. Kaleb had stretched out along the couch, his feet propped up on the arm. His mouth hung open, wide enough for the tug boat to pass easily through. His dark hair was mussed, his tanned skin almost golden in the light through the window. She bounced over and slumped down onto what little space could be found alongside Kaleb on the couch.

He huffed and opened his eyes but didn't move. His gaze flitted around his surroundings, as alert as ever despite just waking up. A smile brightened his face and he reached out, groping for her hand.

"Hey pup," he murmured, his voice soft and low.

Priya flung herself down onto his chest, nuzzling her nose against his shoulder and inhaling that fresh and earthy scent she loved. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her tight against his body. Her body, so tightly wound from the ride and the late night at work, began to loosen and relax against the familiarity of him.

Grasping her shoulders, Kaleb lifted her from his body as easily as he would a child. He gazed up at her with a broad smile. Priya shifted back onto her knees, straightening up. Pushing himself to sitting, he glanced down at her clothes and raised an eyebrow.

"I thought we discussed the bike, pup," he said.

Priya rolled her eyes and swatted at his arm.

"It's nice to see you too, Kal."

He slung his arm around her shoulders, pulling her back to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she hugged him tight. When he released her, he slumped back against the arm of the couch, rubbing his hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry," he grumbled. "How are you?"

She took a long moment to search his face. Age was starting to show on him, much later than it should have done, but she still found it disconcerting. Lines had begun to draw themselves along his forehead and from the corners of his eyes. She shrugged and propped her elbow against the cushions, resting her cheek against her palm.

"Better than you, apparently," she teased.

He raised an eyebrow and patted her knee.

"I'll be fine, Priya," he said. "Just tired, is all."