Xander isn’t here, nor is he in the living room. One full sweep of everywhere I dare to look and I’m back in the kitchen, confused.
Until I spot the letter held onto the fridge by a penguin magnet.
Snow,
Forgive me for not being here when you wake up but I was called into work. Please eat before you leave, and I made you lunch. It’s in the fridge. The cats have been fed, so don’t worry about them, but please make sure they don’t sneak out when you leave. I’ll call you when I get the time, but if you need anything before then, please message me. Also, this number is a lawyer I worked with before. I don’t know all the details about your situation, but they might be able to help you with your missing money.
Last night was insane.
Speak soon,
Xander
A smile grows as I skim the letter, then I read it three more times. How sweet.
“Your dad is adorable,” I say to Rustle, who rubs against my arm and then tries to climb over me to get to the note as it crinkles slightly in my hand.
I take note of the number and pocket the note, then open the fridge.
Inside a plastic container with my name on it are some sandwiches, fruit, a yogurt pot, a chocolate bar, and sauces.
My smile grows.
I’ll call the lawyer, and then I’ll find a way to thank Xander that’ll make him look at me exactly the way he looked at me last night.
It can’t do any harm, right?
12
XANDER
“Xander?” Knuckles knock twice on the door to the locker room, then Fred’s head appears in the gap. “You done?”
Resting on the bench, I nod slowly and stifle a yawn. “Yes. What’s up?”
“You good?” Fred walks further into the locker room and squints at me. “Why were you sitting in the dark?”
“My patient died.” Three simple words that will change the world for any relatives waiting outside.
I didn’t know the patient.
I was called in to work on them after an emergency, and I did my job, but as soon as I arrived in the theater, it was clear there was no way they were going to survive.
I did everything I could but they died, and it still feels like their blood is clinging to my fingers.
“Shit.” Fred sighs. “That’s rough. You notified the next of kin?”
I shake my head. “He wasn’t my patient so I don’t know who they were.”
“Whose patient?”
“Leo’s.”
“Shit. I’ll tell him. He’ll notify them.”
I nod, continuing to stare down at my hands.
Last night was fantastic with Snow.
