She laughs. “You were gone for five hours. Tomorrow you’ll be without me for at least fifteen.”
“Don’t remind me. Maybe we can do lunch or coffee.”
“Doubtful, the day shift is always so busy. I’ll be lucky to eat in one place instead of taking bites between calls.”
“What did you make?” I ask, deciding not to push her.
“Stuffed chicken, with a side salad and fried corn with bacon. It’s the first time I’ve made it, but I saw it online two weeks ago, and I’ve been wanting to try it.”
“Sounds delicious.” I watch her stirring the corn. “What can I do to help?”
“You can—” All the lights go off in her house. “What in the . . . ?” She puts down the spoon and goes to the front door, sticking her head out. The lights on the street are still lit, as are the lights in the house next door, which shine through the kitchen window. “How does everyone else have electricity and not me?”
“Let me go and check your breaker box, maybe one jumped.” I look around for the electrical panel until she points to the back of the house. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I turn on the flashlight. I open the gray metal door, and all the switches are on, so I turn off the main switch and then turn it back on. The lights don’t come back on.
“I’m going to check the meter outside,” I call. The flashlight leads the way to the side of her house.
The wires on top are cut clear through. My hand shakes as I reach up and touch them.
“What the fuck?” I turn to look around, but no one is there. All I see is red. That fucking bitch is playing with the wrong person.
“Anything?” Collins comes outside.
“No. Not sure what’s going on.” My stomach burns lying to her, but I have only one thing on my mind—to get her the fuck out of this house and try to keep her as close to me as possible without scaring her.
“I’m going to go and call the power company,” she says, going back inside the house.
I text Caleb.
Me:
I think we need to make a police report. I’ll explain tomorrow.
I hear rustling coming from the back of the house. I jog around the corner.
No one is there. The back trees move as a gust of wind blows through, making it impossible for me to see if it’s a person or the breeze. I turn and rush back into the house.
“No, I’m fine, and there is no fire,” Collins is assuring someone on the phone. “Yes, my neighbors have power.” She looks over at me. “Okay. Yes, this is the number you can reach me at.” She hangs up the phone. “They’re going to send someone out in the morning.”
“Okay, go pack a bag, and I’ll pack the food.”
“Pack a bag and go where?”
“To my house, where there is electricity and air-conditioning.”
“I have survived without air-conditioning my whole life. The food is already done, so we can just eat here and then open some windows.”
“Why don’t we meet in the middle?” I suggest. “We can eat here, clean up, and then head over to my house to sleep.” I need to get her the fuck out of this house and into my house, where I have an alarm system and can keep Claire away from her.
She looks to the side. “We probably should,” she replies. “I don’t think you can handle the heat.”
I snort. “I can handle the heat, baby, but when I fuck you, you get really loud, and no one is going to get to hear your moans but me.”
“I’m not loud,” she says, trying to defend herself. “I mean, I can be quiet.”
“I don’t want you to be quiet.” I grab her hips, trying to push away the panic I felt earlier. “I want you moaning my name and screaming when I pound into you.”
“Okay, change of plans. You get the food, and we’ll eat at your house. I’ll go pack a bag.” She turns to walk out of the room.
