Chapter 14-Chopsticks and Quirks
Ange climbed the stairs to Nick's apartment, but this time, they used the back entrance, as precautionary measures. She had been here before and every time she entered the front door, she felt she was stepping backward in time. Part of her felt as if she was time warped back to her earlier college years. The remaining part of her, felt at home. However odd that may have seemed. Nick's home was your typical bachelor's residence; dark wooden bookshelves, a glass coffee table, and a small eat in kitchen. However, trophies, sports memorabilia, and old family photos lined his bookshelves and little pieces he had collected over the years donned the nooks and crannies of his apartment. Ange's favorite aspect of his place was the large area rug, with an oversized emerald green T, that represented Nick's hometown and Texas University. She liked that no matter where Nick was, he had a piece of home with him. As Nick ushered her in, his cell phone went off. Answering it on the second ring, he walked back towards the door they had just entered, and unlocked it. Ange's brother, Don, was waiting; his cell phone awkwardly placed between his cheek and his shoulder as he balanced take out bags with one hand and a duffel bag with another.
"Here man," Nick offered to lighten his load, "let me take those."
His one hand free now from the take out, Donnie let the phone slip into his hand, which he caught with one fluid movement and shut it closed.
"Appreciate it," he briskly walked down the corridor only after he locked the door and peered through the blinds that looked out and down the steps.
"Ange raved about that Thai place," his voice echoed off the walls as he made his way towards the living room.
"Hey Donnie," Ange greeted him, walking over to give him a light peck on the cheek.
"Hey ya'self," Donnie handed her the duffel bag, "thought you may want some of ya things."
"Thanks, another day in these clothes and they'd be walkin'," she rolled her eyes.
"I wasn't going to say anything," Nick gestured as he fanned his nose, "but you could use a shower."
"I'd expect that from him," Ange thrust a finger in Don's direction, "but you?"
Nick simply shrugged his shoulders as he unburdened himself of his side arm. Sliding it into the top drawer of an end table, he turned on one of the small lamps that lit the living area, and walked into the kitchen. Ange pointed down the hall and questioned Nick.
"Bathroom's down…," she trailed off, raising an eyebrow. Nick smiled. That thing she did with her eyebrow would get him every time.
"Down the hall," he pointed, "first door on your right."
"You're a doll," she winked as she made her way to the bathroom, leaving the two men to fend for themselves.
"You thirsty?" Nick opened his fridge, pulling out whatever liquid beverages he had to offer.
"Thanks, Stokes," Donnie grabbed a cola, but not before he commented on how he could really use a good brew.
"Go ahead," Nick offered, "I'll take first watch."
"I got my ordas," he made small talk as he pointed across the way, "what is that, a 36 inch?"
"Flat screen, high def," Nick welcomed Don's interest in his television, "great for sports."
Ange entered at the tail end of the conversation and added her two cents. Telling her brother that Nick had a game console, his bland expression turned ecstatic, as Nick took out all his games for the Play Station. Nick tried his hardest not to stare at Ange, but the way she looked after taking a shower, was making it difficult. She was wearing a pair of teal yoga pants and a white singlet, her baby blue bra straps peeking out and over her shoulder blades. Her hair, still damp, was cascading in waves down her back. She seemed refreshed and that made Nick relieved. She had seemed so tired and morose the past two days that he had begun to notice the dark circles under her eyes. Ange caught him out of the corner of her eye and smiled as if she was reading his mind. Then she unconsciously tucked one bra strap back under her singlet and sat cross-legged on the couch.
"Nothin' like a boys' night in," she jested.
Nick passed her a chilled beer, an orange slice, and a frosted mug. It was second nature to Ange and Nick. They routinely worked together and on their days off would have a pizza night here or go see the latest flick there. They had gotten accustomed to the little quirks of one another, such as their favorite off duty drink, what movies made each other cringe, and what music they wouldn't dare play in their vehicles. Donnie watched in earnest, as Nick appeared to know the little things about his sister that not many people would have noticed. He was pleased to know that his sister had made such a decent amount of friends in the few months that she had been in Las Vegas and that put his mind at ease. As Nick took a swig from a cola, aping Don, he grabbed a few things from the kitchen and sat alongside Ange as she opened the various take out cartons. Donnie grabbed the packets of chopsticks and as he fumbled with his own, Ange took hers, rubbed the sides together to smooth any stray splinters, and popped a few noodles into her mouth. She laughed as she watched her brother struggle and in defeat, throw down his chopsticks.
"Chopsticks are for sissies," he directed towards his sister as he got out of his seat and headed towards the kitchen.
"Hey man," Nick said with a mouthful as he waved his chopsticks around, "watch who you're calling a sissy."
"Ya' right," Don put up his hands, "you have to be a hard headed, tough skinned, man's man to work with my sister and survive."
"Shut up and eat," Ange pushed a carton towards her brother, "you're skin and bones."
"You sound like Ma," Donnie grabbed the carton and attempted to eat directly from it, but his sister gave him one of her infamous looks.
"Look like her too," he grumbled as he shoveled some noodles and shrimp onto a paper plate.
"So who's up for a game?" Nick asked as they finished their dinner.
Ange had already emptied the leftovers into some Tupperware that Nick had in his bottom cabinet and began to take apart the empty cartons, so he could take them to the recycling drop off near the dumpster. The way they worked side by side, as if they had been roommates, made her brother smile as he grabbed another cola from the fridge. Popping the top, he replied that he'd be up for the challenge, as did his sister. In all fairness, they flipped the proverbial coin and Ange wound up having to play winners. Gladly, sat back on the couch and pulled her knees up to her chest as she rested her head on her arm. Watching her brother and Nick go at it in a game of Madden Extreme, she fought off the exhaustion that had begun to creep into her eyelids. After awhile though, the colors of the television began to blend and fade out as her eyelids succumbed to the exhaustion. She felt her body being lifted but didn't fight it. She knew it was her brother, taking her into the guest bedroom. She drifted off to a dreamless sleep for a few hours, but woke to the sound of the door creaking. Jumping up, she flipped on the lamp, and sighed as she watched Nick halt in the doorway.
"Should have taken my room," he apologized, "no squeaky hinges."
"It's okay," Ange lay down on her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows.
"Aren't you tired?"
"Actually, I'm still good to go," he smiled, "your brother on the other hand…"
"He's been running on no sleep since they arrived," Ange sighed, "he never knows when to quit."
"If he's anything like us, he won't quit until you're safe," Nick nodded in her direction.
"They can't keep me holed up like this forever," Ange rolled onto her back and stared up the ceiling.
"I need to work, Nick."
"What you need," he took a pillow and handed it to her, "is rest."
She edged herself closer to the wall and patted the mattress.
"Deal, but only if you talk to me until I fall asleep."
Not knowing if they were breaking any work regulated codes or what not; Nick stood from his Lazy Boy recliner and sat on the edge of the bed. Ange tilted her head, raised her eyebrow, and motioned for him to switch spots with her. He did just that. He rested his back against the wall and Ange threw the pillow up against his legs and lay with her head against the pillow that cushioned his thigh. They talked about their families, they talked about their worst relationships, and they even talked about office romances. Ange found herself drifting off as Nick's voice faded in and out. She was sure he mentioned something about the way her hair smelt and she found herself drifting deeper into a restful slumber with a small smile on her lips.