“No,” Romeo replied with thunder in his voice.“Vincent Whitehall was.He manipulated that situation.He lit the match—”
“But I was the fuse that led to the explosion.I’m as guilty as he is and two people are no longer here because of him and I.”
Romeo bristled.“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Make it sound like you were in cahoots.”He clenched his hand into a fist.“I don’t like it.It makes me uncomfortable.”
“Why?”
“You and him were never partners in crime, but we were.”
“Just in crime ...”
Romeo didn’t answer.
“Did I tell you about the calls and texts I was getting?”Chad asked.
“You did.But you didn’t mention the scale, the quantity.You told me you didn’t answer, and you didn’t reply.”
“I didn’t ...I don’t,” Chad retrieved his phone from his pocket.“A lot of people wish me dead.”
“I wish it right back at them and I have the inclination to follow through with my threat.”
Chad flashed Romeo a small smile.He bowed his head slightly and shuffled in the direction of the door.“Any more dreams?”
Romeo stiffened.“No, but I’ve barely been sleeping.”
“You can try them if you like?”Chad said, pointing to the box of temazepam on the side.
Romeo eyed Chad.“They seem to have worked wonders for you.”
Chad cocked his head, waiting for an explanation.
“You haven’t been having nightmares.”
“How do you know that?”
“I would’ve heard you,” he frowned, “Or seen you when you were sleeping in the outhouse.”
“Makes sense,” Chad whispered, “But it’s not because of them.”
Romeo glanced from the box to Chad then back again.
“What do you mean?”
“I haven’t been taking them.”
Romeo blinked.“You ...you told Ally you were.You told her you were taking all of your medication—”
“Only the ones I need.They’re for insomnia, and I’ve been sleeping just fine.”
Chad’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out.“It’s Josh.He’ll be here soon.”
Romeo shot one last look at the box of temazepam.“I better make myself scarce then...”
****
