He finally, finally gave me a small smile. “Yeah, Fizzy, that sounds good.”
* * *
Razor
Fuck, this whole keeping my true self hidden was killing me. Maybe even more than the pain from my injuries.
“I’m going to do another stretch,” she said. “It should feel like a stretch, okay? If it hurts, tell me right away and I’ll stop. Remember, we’re looking for stretching feelings, not pain.”
“Okay,” I said.
As she started to lift my arm above my head, she suddenly let out a gasp.
“Fizzy?”
She lowered my arm and let out a quiet cry.
“Waverly, what’s wrong?” I asked, glancing at her as she stared at the television screen. The news was on, but I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“Um, sorry.” She’d gone white, like she’d seen a ghost. “Um, I have to go.”
“Fuck,” I hissed as she grabbed her bag. “What the hell’s going on?”
“Sorry.” She slapped at her cheeks, covered with tears. “You don’t have to, ah, pay me.”
“Talk to me, Fizzy. Why are you suddenly freaked?”
“Nothing. I’m good. Um, just forgot an appointment.”
“Don’t leave,” I growled.
She shook her head. “I have to go.”
“Goddamn it,” I snarled, cursing the fact I couldn’t chase her, as Waverly made a mad dash for the door, so I bellowed, “Hatch, stop her!”
“No!” Waverly squeaked. “No, I’m okay. I just have to go.”
“Just come back inside for a minute,” Hatch said.
“Are you forcing me to stay here?” Waverly snapped.
“No, darling, we’re just concerned,” Maisie’s gentle voice countered Hatch’s natural gruff one.
“Waverly, come back,” I bellowed.
“You are not my boss!” she bellowed back.
“I am today,” I countered.
“I’m so sorry. Please, I have to go.”
I heard the door close, and let out a frustrated snarl.
“What the fuck did you do?” Hatch snapped as he stormed back into the room.
“Nothing!”
“You must have said something!” he countered. “She was fine until you two were alone.”
