Page 70 of Fletch

I grin. “You slept in a wet bed earlier. Close your eyes and just sleep.”

She growls in annoyance and rolls over, wrapping the sheets around her tightly. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

I wake with a start in time to see Gemma leaving the bedroom. I scramble to my feet, rushing after her. “What’s going on?” I ask, catching her wrist before she manages to descend the stairs. She’s dressed, and when she turns to look at me, she’s applied makeup. I frown at the sudden turnaround in her attitude.

“I have to go in to work and face my bosses.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” I say, allowing her to head downstairs with me following.

“I’ve already put them off enough.”

“Yesterday, you didn’t want to get out of bed, and now, you’re floating down the stairs like the ghost of Christmas past. You haven’t eaten in days. At least let me fix you some breakfast.” I watch as she pushes her feet into heels.

Ruby comes down the stairs rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “What’s going on?”

“Your mum,” I hear Gemma’s sharp intake of breath but continue anyway, “thinks she’s ready to face her bosses.”

“Christ,” says Ruby, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“That’s exactly what I said,” I tell her.

“I’m fine,” says Gemma, grabbing her bag. “I told you, I just needed a few days to sort my head out.” She unlocks the door. “And when I get back, I want you gone, Fletch.” She leaves, slamming the door.

I stare at it for a few seconds before turning to Ruby. “You think she’s okay?”

She shakes her head. “Nope.”

“Do you think she meant it when she said she wants me gone?”

Ruby smirks. “Oh yeah.”

“Nah, she was bluffing,” I say with a shrug.

“What are you gonna do?”

I head for the kitchen. “Make breakfast and wait for her to return.”

“I don’t think she’ll be happy when she sees you’re still here.”

“I’m counting on it.”

We eat breakfast and talk about Ruby’s friends. I like hearing about her life, even though she tells me about a few boys in her friendship circle. The feeling in my chest isn’t like anything I’ve ever felt. I know how boys’ minds work and I hate that she’s so young and naïve to it.

Once she’s gone for her shower, I put a call in to Nyx.

“Hey, brother, when you coming home?”

I grin. “Are you missing me?”

He laughs. “Nah, I’m getting all the club pussy, it’s great. But seriously, what’s going on?”

“Gemma seemed fine today. It’s a stark comparison to yesterday. I think she’s putting on a front so I’ll leave her alone.”

“And are you gonna?”

“Nah. I don’t trust her after what she said.”

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