“I found it here,” he said, folding the paper back into the black leather wallet. “He leaves it behind all the time. I’ll get it back to him on my way home.”
I chuckled and scooped up Taco, relieved that the ordeal was over.
“And you, cheeky miss, are going upstairs,” I told her.
She gave me her signature smile, and I lifted her to my face.
“Okay, fine. You can come clean the pantry with me. But no chocolate this time!”
I rubbed my cheek against the top of her head, clearing a few cups from Dave’s table with my free hand.
Call me a multitasker.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Areyou sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Rick asked.
I adjusted the phone against my ear with my shoulder while trying to cram my drink bottle and notebook into my backpack. “Don’t you start. I already had to talk June out of coming.”
Rick’s sigh was audible. “I just feel like I’ve been a rotten friend through all this.”
“Since when are you worried about being a rotten friend?” I smirked, already anticipating his reply.
“I’m always a good friend! Is this still about the time I wouldn’t let you babysit Hot Woodchopper’s pug? Because technically, that wasn’t my choice. And I didn’t think looking after small creatures was your forte. It requires, you know, a heart.”
“Ouch. Is this you trying to prove your friendship skills? Because you’re not off to a great start.” I scratched a sleeping Taco under the chin and slung my backpack over my shoulder.
“I’m confused, too.” He paused. “But my point is, I’m usually a good friend. I’ve been distracted this past month, that’s all. Not checking in on my Ri-Ri enough.”
“I’m officially going to nose-flick you for calling me that. And also, I don’t care. I’m glad things have got serious with Hot Woodchopper Man,” I said, aiming for sincere.
“Jeffrey,” Rick corrected.
“You said it first. Besides, Hot Woodchopper is way more visual.”
“It is,” he purred.
“Enough,” I snapped. “I’ve got to keep my head in the game.”
“Are you quotingHigh School Musical?”
“I don’t even know what that is. And no,” I replied. “Now leave me alone so I can go pry open the cage around my depressed father’s heart and force him to tell me all his secrets.”
“Geez, Ry… What if he’s mean to you?” Rick whispered, like Dad might overhear from another city.
“Then it wouldn’t be the first time. I’ll text you after okay, let you know I’m alive and not dying in a pool of parent-inflicted shame.”
“Video call me, okay?”
“Why? Want me to dance for you?”
Rick snorted. “We all know you don’t have the moves. It’s because your tone is good at telling lies, but your face is not.”
“Fine,” I groaned, then hung up in my usual fashion.
I was relieved I didn’t need to top up the oil for the drive to Dad’s. It wasn’t far, and the Vitz still had fuel from my recent escape-turned-return. One day I’d get that leak fixed. Today wasn’t that day. Today was for Olivia.
I’d rather get my wisdom teeth pulled out without anaesthetic than try to force my father to talk about something he didn’t want to. But even I had to admit his avoidance was flashing a neon sign right above his head. It would be stupid to ignore.
