Chapter 8: Phonecall
"Dude," Matt drawls out, sinking further into my couch. "She's like a little monster!"
I glare at him and pick up a pink stuffed flamingo to launch at his head. He sees my intention and cowers back.
"Not in a bad way. A cute monster. Hey, wanna go see Iron Man 3?" I roll my eyes at him and stick a forkful of pasta in my mouth.
Katherine and Matt had a falling out and Matt had started crashing with her as soon as their relationship started. Once she beat the shit out of him with a four inch pump, he became homeless. I, being the beautiful and loving bastard that I am, took pity on my old friend and allowed him into my home with welcome arms. My fucking bad.
I didn't know how much of a slob the freak was, otherwise I would've let him live in a garbage can. He eats all of my food and all the food Elena used to make for only me. In fact, Elena loves the prick. She said he had a baby face or some shit.
I don't need that because I'm a man. I have a man's face.
Usually, I would walk into the break room at lunch and be the envy of the room. While everyone else would pull out their pathetic fast food lunches, I would unravel a nice home cooked meal. More often than not, they were delicious leftovers.
But now?
Matt fucking Donovan would be opening the same damn meal right next to me.
Maybe I was being unreasonably jealous, seeing as there was absolutely no way Elena would go for him. From my experience, I knew that the meaner she was to you, the more she liked you. She treated me like shit everyday and so I know that she cares about me more. But even still, I hated having to share her. Especially with Matt.
"So," I say slowly. "Have you been looking for a place?"
He chews the rest of his burger and finally tears his eyes from the television screen. "Uh, not really." he says disinterestedly.
I try not to growl at him as I stand and pull Nellie from her chair to the crease of my arm. "I'm gonna tuck her in for the night."
He nods but doesn't answer me. Then he reaches below him to a cooler and pulls out my beer as if it's his own. I scowl at him and stomp my way to Nellie's room.
Mini watched, bemused, as I set up her sleeping center.
"He's such a fucking prick." Her tiny eyes widen into saucers. I snicker at her expression and then lean into her, giving her a big kiss on her cheek. "Don't tell Elena I said that."
I flip on the night light and then turn off the room light, flashing my face to Mini so she doesn't get scared. I pull her into my arms and sit down in the chair by her cradle.
"You like Elena, don't you?" She hums in my arms and I hold her tightly. "My girlfriend." I say, trying out the word. Then I freeze.
"I mean, we aren't official or anything, but we kissed and she isn't seeing anyone. I think we may be dating now. Is it safe to say we're dating?"
She blinks innocently at me and then burrows her head into my chest. "It's okay, you don't have to answer. But should I bring it up with her? Or is that too forward? Who the hell am I kidding, I am forward."
She sniffles twice and I smile at her now closing eyes, laying two soft kisses on each lid. "Alright little thing, you're obviously too tired to talk. Tomorrow, we'll talk some more before I go to work. What do you think of that?"
She makes a soft humming sound again and I give her a final kiss before relinquishing her to her cradle. After her blanket is securely around her and I check for monsters lurking under the bed, I pull out the only book Elena ever reads her.
