“You’re said you’re a hockey player, right?” My attention snaps to him. “I’m more of a football guy myself.”
Whoopdee fucking do. “And?”
He sits back in the chair. “Nothing, just making conversation.”
“You woke me up to have a random conversation?”
“If I show you another picture, could you verify whether you’ve seen this person?” He reaches into his pocket, grabbing his phone.
I rub a hand over my face. “Sure. Whatever.”
He holds out the image of Felix, clear as day. It looks like it was taken from someone’s door camera. I try my best to keep my face neutral. “Have you seen this man?”
“No. Why do you want to find him so bad if he’s not dangerous?” Oh, he is dangerous alright, just in the best way possible.
“Not dangerous. His partner is worried. He hasn’t heard from him in months. Just doing my job.” Bullshit.
“Well, if that’s it?—”
“One more thing. He holds out a photo on his phone, but this time it’s me on camera. It looks like it was taken downtown, and Felix is at my side. I try everything to hold in my emotions. “Looks kind of like the guy we’re looking for.”
I’m lucky the shot is blurry, as if whoever took it had to zoom in a lot. Who the hell took this photo? It doesn’t look like it’s from a security camera. It’s also from a distance. Is he following me? The only saving grace I have is that he seems to be alone, which means he’s doing this behind his precinct’s back. I know cops can be corrupt and help their colleagues hide things, which makes me wonder why he seems to be going about this solo.
“That’s my caregiver.”
“Looks a lot like?—”
“A tall man with brown hair?”
“And how long has Tucker worked for you?” Just stay calm.
“Since December,” I lie. “If that’s it, I think you need to?—”
“That your journal?” Confused for a moment, I look to see Felix’s notebook out on the end table.
“I keep track of game stats and my recovery. It keeps me busy.” This is the last time I’m opening the door for this man. I almost guarantee he won’t have a warrant. He has to be acting alone. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going back to bed.”
Steven hesitates for a moment before getting up. “Fine.” He looks around my living room as if hoping to see traces of Felix. The thing is, Felix came here with nothing but the clothes on his back and that notebook. “You have a nice day.”
I don’t respond, leading him to the door and shutting it hard behind him. Once Officer Dipidy Dipshit leaves, I lock and code everything, make sure my curtains are closed, and rush back to my room, knocking. “It’s me. He’s gone.”
Slowly Felix opens the door. His red-rimmed eyes break my heart, and the way he clings on to me hurts even more. “I’m so sorry.” He holds me tight, burying his face in my chest. How can someone hurt someone they claim to love.
I rub his back and kiss the top of his head. “It’s going to be alright.”
“He won’t stop. He knows I’m here.”
I cup his face and make him look at me, smoothing both thumbs under his eyes. “Hey. I told you. You’re not leaving this house unless you want to. We have nothing to do today. My family is coming tonight for dinner. We’re going to have a great day, alright?” I debate telling him about the notebook. Felix had said he didn’t know about it, but still, he looked at the notebook the same way he did the shoes.
I won’t tell him now. He’s already upset. It doesn’t matter.
I meant what I said.
Felix isn’t leaving here unless he wants to.
“Pass the potatoes, please.”Lianna reaches as far as she can, and I grab the pot and scoop some onto her plate. Felix may not be an official caregiver, but he’s a damn good cook.
“Everything’s delicious,” Landon says.
