Page 37 of Crowe
“That sounds amazing.”
“Yeah, we developed our law enforcement program based on what my brother said he wished more cops received training in. Those are the weeks I like best.”
He’d talked about his brother a few times, and I knew how much he respected and loved him, so that didn’t surprise me.
I turned on the television and let him get back to his book. I’d planned on binge-watching a food show, but instead I dozed off. I woke up lying on the couch with my head in Jackson’s lap. I wasn’t sure how I ended up there and honestly didn’t care. The only bad thing about it was having to wake up.
When he realized I was no longer asleep, he ran his fingers through my hair like I was a cat, making it even harder for me to move because, hello, pets are amazing even for humans.
“Mika’s texted twice,” he said.
“What did he need?”
“I don’t know. He texted you, not me. I didn’t want to be nosy and read them.”
I sat up, reached for my phone on the coffee table in front of the couch, and opened the messages.
“He says there will be a group dinner in the common area, and we should come join them. Apparently, he made a chili bar, which I have no idea what that is.”
“He does those for game day sometimes. He makes a big pot of chili and then puts out corn chips, cheese, baked potatoes, and the like. It’s like a taco bar but with chili.”
“That actually sounds really good. Do you want to go?”
He shrugged. “Might as well.”
“Okay, I guess that’ll be our dinner then. It’ll be fun to see everyone.”
I’d actually missed hanging out in the common area. When I first came here to stay last fall, it had been overwhelming. But once I had the opportunity to get to know some of the guys, spending time there had grown on me.
We stepped out of my apartment into the common area, and the rich warm scent of garlic, cumin, and chili spice wafted over us. Jackson placed his hand on my back and directed me over to where the food was all set up. Mika was standing over a largeslow cooker with a wooden spoon, talking to Hawk, who was eating directly from a bowl he clearly had no intention of waiting to fill properly. Milly sat on the ground at Hawk’s feet, waiting for someone to drop something so she could snatch it up.
“Hey, Noah, Crowe.” Mika grinned at us and then gave Hawk a playful shoulder bump and said, “That’s not a tasting portion.”
“I’m quality-checking.”
Mika rolled his eyes. “And?”
“And it’s perfect, just like you, Mouse.”
Mika blushed and then pointed at the counter with his wooden spoon. “You two make yourselves a plate. I made plenty.”
I crossed to the counter and started filling a bowl. The chili in the pot smelled incredible, and who didn’t love a goodFritopie with lots of cheese and onions on top? Jackson was doing the same, but he’d opted to make a loaded baked potato instead.
Axel and Maddox were at the pool table, mid-game, arguing about something, no surprise there. I was betting those two were arguing in the womb. Julius was on the long couch with his feet tucked up underneath him with a bowl of chili in his lap. He was talking to Gator and Diego. All three of them were laughing at something on Julius’s phone. Diego looked up and gave me a nod. I’d never really talked to him much, but he seemed like a nice enough guy. He was definitely more at home here now than he had been six months ago.
As if on cue, Axel said something to Maddox that made Maddox throw his pool cue hand up in outrage. Everyone looked their way just long enough to make sure nothing was on fire. Mika rolled his eyes at them and told them to stop fighting and come get something to eat, or there would be no more brownies for them.
Maddox shot Axel a look, but they both went over to get some food.
I found a spot on the end of the couch, and Jackson sat next to me.
Trixie’s travel cage was on her stand in the corner, and she’d apparently been quiet long enough, because she suddenly announced, to no one in particular, “What’s for dinner? Carrots? Broccoli? Whiskey?”
“Silly bird. Your bowl is full.” Julius called over to her.
Trixie ruffled her feathers and then fixed her eyes on Jackson. She tilted her head.
“Crowe. Crowe is a man, not a bird,” she said.
