Reality check. She used it because it's true. A fact. A reminder of my age. I rub the back of my neck then try to take another drink of water but the ice cubes crash into my lips. I slam the glass onto the counter a little too hard and wipe my mouth.
A last second pause allows me to lower my voice before demanding, “What’s going on here?”
Blake’s eyes narrow at me. “How does she know you’re Henry’s dad?”
“Cecilia is Henry’s ex,” I clarify. “But how did you know I’m his dad?”
She shrugs. “Might have been eavesdropping on your phone call, put it together when you walked in.”
“No shit?” Blake grimaces.
Through gritted teeth, I say, “The better question is why she’s calling you Daddy.”
Blake smiles at her. “Just a joke.”
“I want the full answer.”
Cecilia raises a hand. “I can explain.”
I’m shocked by her boldness, although I really shouldn’t be after what I witnessed earlier.
She lowers her hand and continues. “You see, he butted into our conversation and I told him to be agood boyand mind his own business. That’s when he informed me that he preferred being calledDaddy. Did I get that right, Trena?”
A weird zing shoots through me when she says ‘good boy’.
“That’s correct,” Trena says far less enthusiastically, then puts money on the counter and stands. “And that’s why we need to discuss our big move before this gets any weirder.”
“Hold on.” Cecilia grabs Trena’s arm but faces Blake and me. “Why have I never seen either of you in town?”
“We just moved in today.” Blake is quick to answer.
“Hmm.” Cecilia considers it. She picks up a piece of paper, but all I can read on it is ‘ASAP’ before she shreds it. “Hey, Bev, looks like I won’t be leaving right away.”
Trena gasps. She tries to whisper but her shock leaves her words loud enough that I can hear. “Ceci, stop it. You’re being impulsive.”
“Why leave? This town suddenly got a lot more fun.”
“No, Ceci. Absolutely not.”
“But they’re good boys. I bet they know how to STFUALMPLAGB.”
“Ceci!” Trena’s failing at trying to drag Cecilia out.
“What the fuck does that mean?” I can’t make sense of the letters. “And we’re not…” I can’t bring myself to refute being called a good boy. “How old are you?”
Damnit! Her age doesn’t matter. I no longer have control of my mouth.
“Popular question today. I’m old enough to know what I want.”
“And that would be?” Blake asks, adding fuel to the fire instead of acting like a grown man who remembers that he’s an undercover cop on a mission.
I punch his arm. “It doesn’t matter. We’re here for work.”
“All work, no play, makes Lenny a dull boy.”
I’ve always hated that nickname. “It’s Lennox.”
Bev cuts in to talk to Cecilia. “Hey hun, so glad you’re still here. Can you cover the late shift?”
