Ezra's Winner

Fourteen

Ezra's POV

Kenai was so...cool.

And talented. 

I mean those bowls were amazing and looked professionally made. Maybe one day I could ask him to teach me how to not only cook but also make a mug or something. This whole room was perfect. Cozy, and comfortable. I felt safe here. Plus I was underneath a pile of blankets on a comfy chair, nothing could be better than this.

I strayed to look at the cigar and I inwardly groaned. I can't believe I said no. I really could use a hit for what I was about to tell him. But when I saw Kenai grab two separate ones I panicked. As dumb as it sounded I liked sharing it with Kenai. And where we sat we wouldn't be able to without moving back and forth. 

I wish he would just pull the chairs together so we could. I mean I would suggest it but that was just...weird.

I looked over at him and our eyes met. Those brown eyes were the first thing I wanted to see when I came to the front. I don't know why but I knew he was the first person I needed to see and talk this through with. Lucien thankfully had told Kenai about my absence without my prompting which I was happy about. I wouldn't want Kenai to worry. Or...whatever. If he did or didn't I couldn't tell. He was unreadable.

"So, what happened?" He asked as he sunk deeper into the chair. 

He looked so...wide like this. Also, Kenai wearing anything other than business casual was jarring but it wasn't fair that he still looked good. He looked like a put-together mess. His earrings were in, and a gold chain around his neck. I envied him and his ability to look effortlessly good.

Whereas I looked like a lump of clay that belonged in the corner with his actual clay. And I was wearing my glasses...something I usually don't do. At all.

"Well, I..." My voice trailed and I put my hand into my lap and started picking at my nails. I looked at the cigar again and closed my eyes. 

Kenai's chair scrapped against the floor, bringing his closer to mine. So close that our knees brushed against each other. Could this guy read my mind? 

He started to prep the cigar. Only one. And I ignored how happy that made my heart. I don't know what it was about it, I just like watching him do it. We sat in silence as I watched freely, not embarrassed that I was. Kenai didn't seem to mind as I watched him either. Once he lit the end he took the first puff as always and then handed it to me.

I didn't start talking immediately either. I didn't feel pressured to. I just enjoyed sitting in the silence and in the company of Kenai.

I felt something shift within me. Something deep cracked, but only the slightest bit. It seemed to happen a lot whenever I was around Kenai. But as I've always done...I ignored it.

"Ashton and I are in a fight." I cleared my throat, "He had said something pretty hurtful, and I...sort of lost it." 

"Was it pertaining to you know who?" He asked, bringing the cigar to his lips. I nodded.

I appreciated Kenai and his lack of need to know all the details. I don't know how I could explain the story without telling him what happened before that part. That's more embarrassing than the little moment I had. Well, not little. It caused me to retreat. Either way, I knew Kenai would understand the gravity without having to say anything.

"How did it make you feel?"

The question caught me off guard, even though it shouldn't have. "I guess it made me..." I paused and grimaced, "Like he was right...what he said."