Startled, I look up to see Gabe setting down a crate full of beer bottles. “Sorry,” he cringes.
I smile, shaking my head. “No worries.” I laugh, continuing to type on my laptop again.
“Busy bee over here,” he says, starting to pack the mini-fridge. It’s the first week and he’s already in the swing of things, showing us what a great hire he is. It’s like he’s always been a part of the team.
“Yeah, as always.” I sigh, not hiding my exhaustion. “Excited to have some time to relax this weekend, though.”
His eyes go wide. “Oh yeah! Elijah’s coming home this weekend, isn’t he?”
I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. I nod eagerly, feeling an excited thrill surging through me. Fuck, I’m so excited to see him. He’s like a breath of fresh air when everything else is…clouded.
“I’m excited, yeah. I guess you haven’t officially met him yet. You’d love him.” Anyone would love Elijah.
“Oh, I’m sure I will. It’s the opposite that I’m worried about.” Gabe laughs quietly, wiping off the bar from the frost the beers left.
I blink, unsure of what he means by that.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes.
Without looking, I swipe to answer the incoming call and hold the phone up to my ear.
“Toby, Toby, Toby…” As soon as I hear Derrick’s low, disgusting voice, bile climbs my throat.
My eyes dart to a confused Gabe before looking away.
Dammit. I wasn’t thinking. Why did I answer without looking?Stupid, stupid.
A raw, irritated noise scrapes out of me, getting ready to hang up but before I do, I hear his grating voice loud and clear.
“Don’t you fucking dare hang up on me again or you’ll regretit—”
Gabe thankfully is now distracted, taking an order from a muscular blonde, tattooed guy who sat at the bar.
I better take this conversation elsewhere.
Hopping off the bar stool, I make my way quickly to my office.
Fingers trembling, I slam the door behind me, making the handle rattle.
“What did I tell you about contacting me? Leave me the fuck alone—”
“That’senough.” I hear a loud bang on his side of the phone, like he hit a wall or something. The sound makes me flinch. It reminds me a little too much of how he used to make me feel. “I’ve been veryverynice up until now. Your attitude has beenpissing me off, you little ungrateful piece of shit.” He spits.
“What do you want?” I grit out.
“More money and some clothes,” he mutters.
I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “Yeah, no. Not my problem.”
“You fucking kidding me? AftereverythingI’ve done for you in your life?” He sounds erratic, moving on the other line. Something’s off. More than just alcohol. I can sense it. I know what Derrick’s like when he’s drunk. He’s a monster. The thought of him on something else too might be catastrophic.
My jaw clenches as I try to muster up that same courage I had when I pummeled his face last summer. “I’ve given youeverythingyou asked for, which isten timesmore than I should’ve. I’m done. I’m out.”
A small beat passes which only makes my skin crawl. I’m not sure I like it when he’s silent that much better than when he’s spewing his venom.
He finally breaks the silence with his low rough voice. “You know what happens to people who did what you did, Toby?” He asks. “Harboring a fugitive? Aiding a criminal on the run?”
My breathing goes still. I don’t attempt to answer…because the truth is,I don’t know.
