Page 96 of In the Air Tonight

“My wife already knows what you did. She saw it.”

“You’re angry.”

“You’re goddamned right I am! If Blaise comes forward, it’ll wreck us all. Remember how we laid ourselves on the line to defend you? If it gets out that I committed perjury, I could be disbarred.”

“What do we do? We can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

“I don’t think we should do anything. We could be totally wrong about why she’s here, and the last thing we’d want to do is alert Houston that we’re worried.”

“How am I supposed to function after hearing this?”

“You need to stick to your schedule and keep your cool.”

“How in the hell can I do that?”

“Ryder… It could be nothing.”

“Or it could be the end of me.”

Chapter 20

Blaise

NOW

Over the next two weeks, Jack and I fall into the habit of having dinner together every night. Sometimes he cooks. Sometimes I do. Other times we go out. I like him more with every passing day. We have the best time together, laughing, talking, kissing. There’s been a lot of that. The kissing, I mean. We make out like teenagers, or like I imagine teenagers do. I never did that. I’ve never had anything like what I do with him, and as October slips into November and the days start getting chillier, all I think about is how I can make this moment with him last forever.

And then Wendall will call me with some unreasonable request that’ll send my day spiraling out of control, reminding me I have a job and a life four hours from here, which is my reality. This interlude with Jack isn’t real life, even if it feels better than anything ever has.

“When will you be back in the city, Blaise?” Wendall asks for the third time this week. “It’s getting harder all the time to manage things here without you. I don’t want to pressure you while you’re dealing with family stuff, but Ineedyou.”

“I understand, and I’m working on resolving things here.” That’s a lie. I’m working on the most exciting romance of my life and haven’t seen anyone from my family since the lunch with my mom a couple of weeks ago.

She did as I asked and didn’t tell the others I’m home and has been checking in every day to see how I’m doing.

We’re waiting to hear from the AG about the grand jury. Until then, I’m enjoying the break from my regular life. I didn’t realize how burnt out I was until I got away from Wendall, his endless demands and the relentless pace of the city.

“I want you to know, Blaise,” Wendall says, “I appreciate you so much. I know I don’t always show that, but I really do. You make everything run so smoothy for me, and I’m lost without you.”

His kindness continues to floor me. “Thank you, Wendall. That’s nice to hear. I’ll try to get you an ETA for my return to the city in the next week or so.”

“That’d be great.” He sounds relieved. “I hope everything is getting better with your family.”

“It is. Thank you. I’ll be in touch in the morning with your schedule.”

“Very good. Talk soon.”

After I end the call, I see a new text from Jack.Come visit me. I’m lonely.

You’re working.

I’m on a break that might last the rest of the day for the right incentive…

What about your deadline?

My what?

Jack…

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