Calamity Jena (Invertary 4)

“Let me go, Matt, this isn’t funny.”

Yeah, that wasn’t happening.

“Matt. Put me down. I’m not a toy you can cart around and do what you want with.”

Now that was an interesting idea. He looked down at Jena’s flushed face as she glared up at him. Her long hair glistened as it swung around her. Her breasts were pushed up tight against him. She was a tempting bundle. One that would make the perfect toy.

“I’ll put you down when we’re eating. We can talk then too.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re an unreasonable bully?”

“All the time.” He opened the door.

“Help,” Jena shouted as she struggled to get free. “The cop has lost it, he’s gone nuts. Get me out of here.”

Matt rolled his eyes at his mother, who stood with her mouth hanging open. “Hey, Mum, ignore Jena. She’s having issues.”

“Yeah, with you, dumbass,” Jena snapped.

He grinned down at her. “Now, Jena, is that polite behaviour around my mother?”

His mum opened and shut her mouth several times.

“Mrs Donaldson, can you please do something about your son? This is not normal behaviour.”

“Call me Heather, dear,” his mum said helpfully.

Jena growled at him. “I’m getting a sore stomach. You’re squeezing too tight. Put me down right now, Matt Donaldson.”

He relaxed his hold immediately. As he placed her on her feet, she made a fist. He held up a hand. “You hit me, I’m picking you up again until you learn some manners.”

Jena tried to incinerate him with her glare. She was so cute he wanted to pat her on the head, but didn’t think that would go over well at all. He turned back to his mum.

“Did Dougal ask you to bring food? Is that it?” He reached for the bag in his mother’s hand. It was a safe bet it held food. There was steam coming out of it. He stuck his nose in the bag and breathed deeply. “Excellent.” He turned towards the kitchen. “Come on, Jena, you need to eat some real food.”

“I’m not eating. I have a dinner date, remember?” Jena shouted at him. “Does he have any mental health issues that I need to be aware of while he’s living here?” he heard Jena ask his mother, and let out a sigh.

Compared to Jena, everyone in town was sane. A minute later the women came into the kitchen after him. He felt a sense of déjà vu—didn’t he play this scene with his sisters the day before? He shrugged. He didn’t care how many members of his family came visiting, just as long as they brought food with them.

“I love what you’ve done with the place,” his mother said with a cheeky grin.

Jena smiled back. “I’m calling it derelict chic.”

His mum laughed.

Matt dished out the food and his mouth watered. He bet this was better than whatever Bob served up. Jena was missing out by insisting she go on this date. He shrugged. More for him, then.

“I’m surprised Matt is staying here with this mess,” his mum said.

“That’s what the twins said too.”

“Matt could never stand being around chaos.” His mum pulled up a chair. “His bedroom at home was as neat as a pin and organised to the last inch. His sisters used to go in and move things when he was out to see if he noticed. The slightest shift and he could tell. The girls thought it was a great game, until he put a lock on his door.” His mother gave him an indulgent smile. “It’s the same with the house he has now. Everything in its place. Not a speck of dust anywhere. I swear half the time you can’t even tell he lives there.”

Jena sat back in her chair and considered him. “That sounds awfully repressed, Matt. Maybe you should get some counselling.”

“There’s nothing wrong with this brain.” Matt tapped his temple.

“I can think of at least half a dozen issues off the top of my head that would have you in therapy for decades.”