Page 22 of The Sidekick

“Do they know what you stole?” He chuckles a little, and I get the guts to give him a glare from under my lashes.

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask, and they don’t want to hear it.”

“Yeah, I don’t think they do. If they did, they would be less hostile.”

“Maybe,” I say doubtfully. Having them downing me every chance they got has left me with very little room for charity.

“I don’t even have any stationary in the office,” he grins wickedly, and my glare intensifies.

“I wouldn’t do that to you.” I insist. Jokes aside, he needs to know that I would never even think about doing something like that to him.

He looks surprised and slightly concerned, “It took guts to tell me about it in the first place. It isn’t even a requirement for you. I can’t think of anyone else who would be so upfront about it.”

“I just felt like you deserved to know.”

“You stole a pad of paper with some rich guy’s name on it on a dare. Yeah, breaking and entering is something I seriously frown on, but stationary?”

I’m suddenly very glad I haven’t confessed what I’ve been doing.

“So, what did Andi ask you to steal?”

My wide eyes meet his, hands twisting in my lap, instantly nervous. What is he, a mind reader? I start to fidget as my eyes shift back and forth, trying to make some flippant remark and failing. This is Trevor. How can I lie to him? Maybe if I keep my mouth shut, he won’t fire me?

One eyebrow rises, and he gets that weird, intent look on his face, silently demanding an answer. I start to sweat, and my foot starts tapping without my permission. I’m a horrible liar. I have to keep my lips clamped closed. I roll them in and hold them with my teeth, just in case.

“I know something has been happening with you for a while, Tera. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. And when Andi was in trouble, you called out as if I wouldn’t know you rarely get sick. The fake coughing call out was my favorite if I’m honest.”

Can I add being transparent to my list of flaws? It seems like a real downer.

“The point is you’ve been trying to help her, haven’t you?” He gets very serious as he leans closer, those intense eyes willing me to admit it.

My shoulders bow in at the expectant look. I want to tell him so badly, but I don’t want to disappoint him even more.

“Her problems are all over, right?”

I nod once, not trusting myself to do more than that because I might not be able to stop. I can at least admit that much.

His lips firm as his eyes slide away from me. I feel tears well up. I can typically find a silver lining in anything. For some reason, that superpower is failing me. It has been on the fritz for a while now, and I don’t know if I will ever get it back.

“I’ll quit, ok? You don’t have to worry about this or anything,” I wave as if I can wipe away the conversation and reverse time. If only.

His eyes return to me when I stand, and the hellfire look returns.

“Sit down,” he says in a grim tone.

I sit back down as if my butt has been magnetized to the seat, eyes wide as I watch him warily. My body is betraying me by submitting to his demand. I want to be frustrated, but I’m honest enough to admit my squirming isn’t just about nerves anymore. I’m so thankful for padded bras right now.

“Have you done anything since she’s been safe?”

I have to answer him. His no-nonsense attitude has never been put on me directly before, and I want to wipe it away. I want the smiles back ASAP, no matter how good it feels when he bosses me around. I shake my head and regret it because I can’t stop doing it now.

“Were these extenuating circumstances?”

I start nodding.

“If anyone asks you to break in anywhere or steal anything, you come to me from now on, understand?”

I don't know why I would do that if this is what it gets me, but I nod anyway.

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