Drinking Numb (The Numbing Series #1)

Chapter Thirteen

<"Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.">
Ralph Ellison
•RUE•
October 28, 2015

"So Charles said your mom works next door from Yak's for part of the year," Kohl tries at small talk as we make our way to his house.

"Yep," I confirm. "Its actually at the bakery: Cornerstone Bakery and Café. My mom's baking is amazing. She even decorates those fancy wedding cakes and such that cost a gazillion dollars."

"Impressive," he comments appreciatively.

"Yeah. What do your parents do?" I ask curiously. He hasn't mentioned his parents much. If I remember correctly all he's said is that he lives with them. Well and earlier when he had his little exclamation about the reason they moved and about them being a perfect family. He's somehow managed to become even more mysterious than ever.

"My dad is a surgeon at Mercy Medical, and my mom has been a traveling RN for a few years now," he says in a slightly monotone and obviously bored voice as if he's said it a million times.

"Wow, that sounds pretty-," I start to remark with surprise but come up short when my mind goes blank.

"It's not perfect or amazing," Kohl sighs.

"I was going to say complicated," I finish looking over at him to see his head bob up and down with a nod.

"Alright, we're here," he announces before hopping out and quickly making it over to my door. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," I say sliding out of his truck, feeling myself blush in embarrassment when I practically fall against him, my forehead coming in contact with his nose in the process. He steadies me with his big hands at each of my hips, his fingers spread wide, and we both freeze for several seconds, just waiting.

And then suddenly he draws his hands quick to cover his nose with a groan. I let go of my hold on his shirt and lean back on the truck.

"Did you hear a pop? I think I heard it pop," he says in a panicked voice.

"No, I- no. Shit," I breath, "Are you okay?"

"It's fine, just let me-," he starts, and finishes with a jerk of his hands and a loud pop accompanied my a startled shout and gasp from us both. "It should be all set now."

"Shit," I say again in shock, and then I hit him in the chest. "You idiot, you could've broken your nose or something!"

"I thought that was your job," he says pulling his hands from his face with a huge smile and a perfectly normal looking nose. I step forward to inspect the damage I'd done but see none. Then Kohl starts laughing. I mean hand on the knee, clutching his stomach laughing. "You actually thought-."

"What the heck! You freaking jerk," I shout with a breathy laugh trying to let it go but then proceed to hit him again in the chest, harder.

"I'm genuinely touched that you care so much," he says with a boyish smirk.

"Right," I say sarcastically crossing my arms.

"You know, I've never heard you curse before," he starts pointing his finger at me.

"It's rude to point fingers," I tell him pointing my own finger.

"And you cared enough to risk dirtying that pretty little mouth of yours not just once but twice," he says holding up two fingers.