“I’ll let you know in nine months.” He nods once and walks out the door.
“You aren’t pregnant, are you?” I whisper into Haven’s ear.
“For fuck sakes, Joel. NO! We never had sex.” She shoves me and slams the door shut in disgust.
“He was talking about his warrant. The statute of limitations is up then. It’s the whole reason he’s a nomad.” Okay, now I’m curious.
“What the hell did he do?” Haven turned the stove on with her back to us, so I looked to Twister for my answer.
“He was a teacher. Word has it he was at the school late grading papers when he heard a girl screaming. He found her being raped and killed the man with his bare hands.” Well, that clears up my worries about his character.
“Yeah, he’s got a home with us.” Haven slams her hands on the counter and spins around to glare at me.
“Twister, leave.”
The man stares from Haven to me before he grabs his shit and vacates the kitchen like his ass is on fire.
“What is your problem? Apex is a good man and deserves your respect.” I hold my hands up.
“I agree with you.” She huffs at me but turns back to stir the eggs in the frying pan.
I move around the counter and hug her from behind.
“I’m sorry if I made you think otherwise. You can’t blame me for not liking the man. He stole my firsts with you.” She sighs and shakes her head.
“Not the important one, or did you not notice the blood on the sheets?” I had, in fact, seen that, but I won’t admit the pride it brought me.
“I was too busy falling out of bed and rushing to Twister’s rescue.” I kiss her neck.
“How sore are you?” She elbows me lightly, which I dodge easily.
“Fuck you.” I chuckle.
“I plan to. Vigorously as soon as you answer my question.” I pour us more coffee when her phone stops playing music and rings.
“Shit, that’s work.” She picks it up and answers it, pinning it between her head and shoulder so she can flip the eggs onto two plates.
“Dr. Demato,” I sip my drink as I watch her listen to the caller.
“Yes. Where? I see. Yes. I’ll be there shortly.” She hangs up.
“Put a pin in that vigorous fucking. I gotta go to work.” I raise an eyebrow ‘cause I know that wasn’t Corvin.
“Morgue?” She nods.
“Yup. Eat your breakfast, and I’ll call you later.” She kisses me and rushes out the door.
Left alone to my own devices, I take one look at my plate and frown. The eggs look like rubber, the toast is burnt, and I think the charred pieces were once bacon that I never once saw her take out of the fridge, let alone cook.
I scrape the contents into the trash and wish I had her devil dog, Diesel, here to eat the food.
“Need help putting away the groceries?” I curse and jump into the air on a sound that he’d better never admit I made.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Twister, I’m gettin’ you a fucking bell. I thought I told your ass to leave?” I grab the counter and white knuckle it until my heart rate returns to normal.
“When your lady ran out of here, I figured it was safe to come back in. I wasn’t only here to restock your fridge and tell you about Apex. We’ve got a problem at the shop.” I sigh.
Of course we do.
