Bull-shit, I Don't Do Love

Chapter 16 - In which spaghetti is present.

I'd done something horrible in a past life. I'd killed a sacred chicken or pushed my cavemaiden grandmother into a volcano by accident. I must have because I did not need this kind of bullshit in my life and yet, here I was.
I sighed and then turned to Britt, "Go get your phone. We need to call mom." She nodded and quickly ran down the stairs, Jason still attached to her, followed. I turned back to Xavier, "So what exactly is going on?"
The familiar smirk returned to his face, "My dad said that if you guys had no where else to go, you could stay here. We have a guest bedroom across from mine that you can stay in."
I began to shake my head, "That's really nice of your dad, but we can't stay here. We co-" He lifted a hand to stop me and his face softened.
"Really. It's okay. You don't have a way to get home and you don't have anywhere to go." The smirk began to return, "You don't really have much of a choice." I rolled my eyes, but nodded, hating it, but realizing that he was right. I needed to take care of Brittany, and no matter what was going on with me, she needed to be safe and taken care of.
"I can't believe you guys are willing to do this, but thank you." I felt a blush rising in my cheeks, "I'll cook dinner or something to repay your dad." I glanced down the stairs, waiting for Brittany's blonde head to appear.
Xavier took a step toward me, his hand reaching till it came in contact with my elbow. I heard my own short intake of breath. "Can we ta-"
"Ana! Where are we right now?!" Brittany's voice echoed up the staircase. I sighed again, quickly stepping away from Xavier, and headed down the stairs.
"We're about 5 miles down I84, a few blocks off the stretch. Why?" I stopped outside the kitchen and noticed Brittany already on the phone with our mother. I stifled a groan. Her eyes were wide as she looked at me, I wordlessly motioned for her to hand me the phone.
"-ome hooligan's house! I cannot believe your sister would be so irrespon-"
I cleared my throat, "Hi mom."
There was a short silence on the other end of the line. I heard my mother take a deep, irritated breath. "What is this nonsense I hear about you and Brittany sleeping in some delinquent's home?"
"He's not a de-" I sighed, "Never mind. Have you looked outside? It's a freaking monsoon, I84 is flooded and we can't get home. Xavier and his family have generously offered to let us stay here for the night." As I finished my sentence, Xavier walked into the room and sat down next to Jason at the bar built into the counter.
"This is ridiculous. Just take your car and drive back."
I rolled my eyes, "And drive through the blocked off, and possibly dangerously flooded highway? I can't."
"Don't take that tone with me, Ana Renee. You're the one who got you girls into this mess. You fucked up."
I glanced up at the lights on the ceiling, "I'm sorry."
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the front door opening. Xavier, hearing this, stood up and walked out to meet his father. They spoke in low voices as they approached the kitchen. Finally the two men entered the room.
Mr. Cortez smiled at me and motioned for the phone. "Mom, Xavier's dad is here. He wan-"
Her cold voice cut me off, "Put him on." I handed the phone to him. Mr. Cortez grabbed the phone, smiled once more and stepped into the other room. He was a large man, a few inches taller than Xavier. He had short dark hair, like his sons. He wore a faded blue flannel and his jeans were worn and dirty. He spoke in a even and reassuring tone, smiling and nodding as he talked. Finally, he turned back toward me and said, "Wonderful. We'll take care of your girls. Okay. Bye."
As I brought the phone back to my mouth, I tried to keep the desperation from my voice, "Please, mom."
I heard a long sigh and finally in a harsh tone, she replied, "Fine. Watch out for your sister," then hung up.
I sagged again the counter and let out a sigh of relief. The argument was far from over, but I wouldn't have to do it in front of Xavier and his family and for that I was grateful. Quickly, I picked myself back up again and smiled widely at Xavier and his father. "I'm sorry about that. And about the inconvenience. Thank you so much for allowing us to stay."
Mr. Cortez smiled brightly down at me, "It's no inconvenience at all. You are entirely welcome. As I told your mother, we're happy to have you." He turned toward Brittany, "Hello, my dear. You must be the younger sister. You look about Jason's age." Brittany nodded, glancing once at me with wide eyes. I felt a grin slide into my face. He turned once again to address the group as a whole, "Are you kids hungry? It's about dinner time."
I quickly interrupted to say, "I'd like to help prepare dinner if at all possible. It's the least I could do."
Mr. Cortez laughed and turned toward his eldest son, "Xavier, how about it? Can the lady help?"
My eyes were drawn to a pair of intense, dark irises. They shine with mischief, and a slight smirk spread across Xavier's lips. He shrugged and calmly agreed to let me help. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering what he could possibly be thinking.
Mr. Cortez, oblivious to the tension in the air, began asking Brittany and Jacob about their days. The two led him into the living room to show him the newest level they'd unlocked in one of Jason's games.

Alone in the kitchen, I avoided looking at Xavier, instead began searching through the drawers. For what, I could not tell you.
"What are you looking for?"
My long lost puppy, assbutt. "An apron." I chanced a look at my partner. He was seated comfortably on the counter next to the fridge, legs dangling over the edge. He raised an eyebrow suggestively and tapped the drawer resting behind his hanging legs.
I rolled my eyes and started toward him. I made to shove him out of the way, but he held fast. I tried several more times to move him, but to no avail. Finally, I heaved a deep sigh and threw my hands on my hips. "What are you, twelve years old?!"
Xavier threw his head back and laughed, "No, but watching you squirm against my body is causing all kinds of teenage problems for me."
I pretended not to hear him. "Can you move?" He slide off the counter and moved away, but not before pressing his body against mine. The shiver that followed was involuntary and entirely due to my lack of a sweatshirt. I felt his smirk behind me.
I quickly opened the drawer and pulled out a dark blue apron. As I pulled it over my head and tied it behind my waist, I noticed small handprints along the front of the fabric. When I glanced up at Xavier, he had a sad, far away look in his eyes. "Xav?"
He looked up quickly and smiled, a twinge of sadness still lingered. "That was my mom's." Oh my God. I made a swift movement to take it off, but he raised a hand to stop me. "It's fine." His eyes cleared and he moved away, the moment lost. "Let's make spaghetti. You guys like that right?"
It took me a moment to respond, "Uh, yeah. Britt loves it. It's her favorite dish."
Xavier laughed, "Her and my dad both. Plus it's easy, so win for everyone." He quickly began moving around the kitchen, grabbing two pots, one large and one small, and wooden spoons. He then moved to reach up to the cupboard above me, grabbing a box of noodles and a bottle of sauce. When he handed the ingredients to me, I walked over to the stove and placed them next to it. "What next?" I turned to find him right in front of me. His lips at eye level looked inviting, until that signature smirk made another appearance. It's amazing his face doesn't stay in that god forsaken expression.
"Haven't you ever made spaghetti before?"
If only he knew. "Of course I have, but everyone cooks differently. I didn't want to step on anyone's toes." He grinned. "Do you want to start on the noodles while I get the sauce going?" He nodded and moved over so that I could grab the second pot.
As I began stirring in the sauce, I felt his arm brush against mine.

_ _ _

Guess whose shitty at ending chapters tonight? I am! So here's a thing. A longer thing. With more stuff. It's 2:30 in the morning. I'm not supposed to make sense. Please enjoy this.
I've got the next chapter mapped out, but I'm far too tired to write it as of now. Possibly tomorrow. Possibly this weekend. I make no promises as I never seem to be able to keep a good schedule. I'm sorry.

Thank you for tolerating my craziness. As always, let me know what you think. Words of wisdom, adoration and/or criticism are welcome. Although some are more welcome than others. I'll let you decide that one. ;D  LEMME KNOW IF YOU SEE GRAMMAR MISTAKES. I am my own editor. Which means it's gonna be shit. Thanks for everything.
Lots of love. <3