“Is that right?”
“Yeah. I was stuck, and I took your advice and asked her for help. I have to say, Key, you were right. Once she read my manuscript, she knew exactly how to help.”
Ricky smiled as he clapped my back. “See! My sis knows her shit, especially when it comes to stories. Hell, you should've hooked up with her ass sooner.”
“Huh?” I asked, almost dropping the broom.
“You should have gotten in contact with her sooner, so she could have helped you. Now you got to rush finishing up your prototype.”
“Oh, y-yeah. Yeah, you're right.”
“I can't wait for you to finish up this game because you’ve had tunnel vision. Eat, sleep, work, game.” Ricky snorted. “Speaking of your game, if you get this deal, do you plan on finally telling your parents the truth?”
I placed the broom in the supply closet and rubbed the back of my neck. I was so caught up and excited with the potential of this upcoming meeting that the idea of coming clean to my parents had been in the far depths of my mind.
“I guess it's time, huh?”
Ricky gave me a tight-lipped smile before resting his hand on my shoulder. “It was time like three years ago. When people love you, they'll take the time to understand. It may take them a while and it may hurt, but they’ll come around.”
“You’re right.”
“I know!” Ricky smirked. “Remember, you don’t have to hide the truth from any of us. Plus, you never know. We may be more understanding than you think.”
I looked up at him as he arched one eyebrow at me. I knew he was talking about my parents, but it felt as if he knew more than what I was telling him. Did he know what happened between his sister? Nah. There was no way.
I extended my hand, and we dapped each other. Ricky walked over to Natalie and hugged her. “I'm about to head out, sis. Do you need me to do anything else?”
“Nope, we're about done. Thank you for coming to help.”
“Of course! Let me know when you make it home.”
“Yeah, yeah. Get out of here.”
Not long after Ricky left, we were all grabbing our items from our lockers and stepping out the door. While the air was cool, there was still a faint smell of rain in the distance.
“Monica, are you coming out with me tonight?” Amber asked, grabbing her keys from her purse.
Monica nodded. “Yeah, Adam and I are going to meet you at the club. Dex, what are your plans?”
“Oh, nothing, relaxing at the house. I have some stuff to handle.” I kept my answer vague because though my coworkers were cool, they didn't need to know all of my business.
“Ms. Natalie, are you coming?” Amber called out.
“Y'all go ahead. Have a great night and be safe. I'll see y'all Monday!”
The trio said goodbye and headed off to their cars. I sat by the front door and waited for Natalie to come out of her office.
“Oh!” she gasped, clutching her chest. “I thought everyone had left.”
I shook my head. “There you go again, trying to leave somewhere by yourself at night.”
She huffed out a laugh. “I guess I should've known better. Well, are you ready?”
I opened the door and escorted Natalie out. We walked towards our car in silence as thunder clapped overhead.
“Shit!” Natalie hissed as she sped walked to her car.
Following behind her, I noticed that both tires on her driver's side were flat. “How the hell did that happen?”
