Invocation by Aileen Erin

Author:Aileen Erin [Erin, Aileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781943858774
Publisher: Ink Monster, LLC

CHAPTER

TWENTY-TWO

It was the aroma of something amazing that woke me. Something yummy and spicy that I hoped tasted as good as it smelled.

My stomach grumbled, and I looked at my watch. I hadn’t been napping for long. I didn’t think. But I was curled in a ball, and someone had thrown the softest blanket I’d ever felt over me.

Frank and Eli were flanking Phoenix in the kitchen. The three were talking softly.

“She’s awake,” Eli said as I sat up. “Food’s ready.” He crossed the great room to me, reached a hand down, and pulled me slowly to stand. “How are you feeling?”

I took a moment to assess. The room wasn’t spinning. My head wasn’t pounding. I was hungry and a little groggy and definitely not a hundred percent, but otherwise, I was pretty okay, considering. “I’m good. The nap helped, and my head isn’t hurting as bad.” I was sure the food would fix me up the rest of the way, but I’d probably still have my mom give me an IV when I got home. And more sleep. Possibly a lot more sleep.

Eli hovered beside me as I walked to the kitchen island, ready to catch me in case I passed out. It was extremely annoying, but I managed to suppress the urge to hit him. Barely.

Phoenix gave me a small smile as I sat on one of the island’s chairs. “Ready for food?”

“Yes. Thank you. It’s so nice of you to…”

He slid a plate across the island, and I looked from the plate to him and then back down. There were three small quesadillas, folded over and grilled to perfection. Inside was spiced and shredded chicken, oozing with cheese from the sides. He’d sprinkled queso fresco on top and a few chopped cilantro leaves.

Off to the side was half an avocado, sliced thin and spread out like a fan. It glistened with something wet, and I knew it was lime. I’d said I’d wanted salt and lime for the avocado, and he hadn’t forgotten.

There was a dollop of sour cream, some pico de gallo, and some shredded iceberg lettuce. I looked at the last and up at him with the question. The man had garnished the plate?

Who was this guy?

He shrugged his shoulders. “The lettuce is to add the crunch to the quesadillas—which I like—but you can eat it separately or leave it. You won’t offend me at all as long as you eat something.”

I pulled the plate a little closer to me. “This looks amazing. Like take-a-picture amazing.”

He let out a surprised laugh and looked at the plate. “Food is important to any athlete. And to Mexicans…”

“It’s life and comfort.” And love. But I wasn’t saying that out loud.

“Yeah.” His gaze rose to look at me, and he smiled. “Anyhow, enjoy.”

At the sound of soft footsteps on the wood floor, we all turned to see Rain coming into the room.

She came up beside Phoenix, and he put an arm around her shoulders, tugging her against his side. “You feeling better?”

“Yeah.

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