Page 122

How similar.

How…

“What is going on?” Reuben’s voice is sharp, authoritative. “How do you know these two?”

“What’s going on is you sent her to kill me,” Kale states plainly.

Reuben bristles but doesn’t argue the fact.

“What the fuck do you mean?” Orzo’s hands clench into fists and the rage which he had just gotten under control boils up.

Getting up from the bar, I stand before the men. A string that connects them all.

Whether they want to be or not.

I’m not sure what to say, how to explain this. “Let me start from the beginning…”

And so I gather my thoughts to take them back to the fateful night that changed my life.

When I met Orzo.

57

Too Many Forks in the Kitchen

Orzo

When she said other men I would have preferred her not to mean Kale Aldente. I would choose for him to just be dead and we be done with it.

But if he is who she wants…

And she’s wearing Reuben’s clothes. I need her to change out of those.

My rage and frustration are blocked by the single thought that Cinnamon does not want me to hurt either of these men.

Finding her on the road I thought she was there against her will. That he was taking advantage of her.

She chose to be with him. Just as it is clear she also chose to be with Reuben.

I suppose if these are the other men I must share her with I can keep her closer. We can all work to protect her from the world.

Maybe…this is best.

Flexing my hands out, I force them out of fists, for my shoulders to relax. Cinnamon hasn’t started her story yet, but I already have questions.

“What happened to the frog?” I interject.

Reuben jolts beside me. “I thought you lost that.”

“I gave it to her. She was there. Her mother is the one who died that night along with…” I trail off, but it’s clear he understands.

His attention hyperfocuses on the woman before us. “Her mother?! How old are you?!”

“Twenty-three.” Cinnamon answers him first much to my chagrin.

I can tell he doesn’t like her answer. Didn’t realize how young she was.

She flashes her attention towards me. Just enough to make me crave more. “I still have the frog, I told you that.”