Page 38 of Nightcrawler

“Yeah, sleep at my house. I have a spare bedroom.”

“And…Ned? He’s not going to like that.”

He snorted. “Ned is my grandmother’s nurse and that’s all he ever was to me, Miguel.” He cupped my cheek. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

My heart was pounding so hard inside my chest, I thought I’d pass out. “Yeah,” I replied, hesitantly. “But he’s there and—”

“He doesn’t live with us. He stays over if I’m not at home…out of town on a job or something.” He smiled. “It just so happens that this last job ended up being a forty-eight-hour shift for him. I’m sure he’s going to like seeing the overtime in his paycheck but if he doesn’t, he’s out. Frankly, I’ve known for a while that he wanted me, especially considering how I’m single and I guess so is he, but I honestly couldn’t give a shit about how he feels. I’ve told him I have no interest in pursuing a social relationship with him beyond the niceties. It is what it is. When I get home, I’ll send him home for the night. I’ll see to it that my nana’s comfortable and then we’ll have the whole house to ourselves.”

I didn’t know what to say. The hottest man on the planet was offering more than I could have ever imagined. Who was I to argue with that? “Okay,” I said. “But, I’m going to follow you home just to make sure you get there okay.”

He looked deeply into my eyes. “You really are the epitome of a protector, aren’t you?”

I smirked. “It’s in my DNA, Raven. I hope you understand. Anyway, I’ll see that you make it home before running back to my apartment.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “That’s so unnecessary, Miguel.”

I shook my head. “Sorry, I’m not backing down on this.” He must have seen my determination in my eyes because he finally nodded.

“Fine. Follow me home.”

I waited until he got into his big truck, and then climbed behind the wheel in my own, feeling lighter about everything than I had in days.

RAVEN

Miguel did just as he’d promised, following me all the way into the Hollywood Hills and seeing to it that I didn’t pass out behind the wheel before saluting as I parked in front of the house, and driving off with a thumbs up. I walked into the house and encountered Ned standing in front of the big picture window which looked out onto the street, apparently waiting for me. He must have seen Miguel, and I felt violated somehow.

“What’s up?” I asked, noticing the petulant expression on his face. Honestly, I was getting tired of being spied on.

“Oh, nothing much. Your grandmother misses you, that’s all.”

His tone was nasty and dismissive, and I didn’t like it. I frowned as I hung my keys on the rack by the door before bending at the waist with a little wince to untie my boots. I almost smiled when I remembered Miguel insisting on helping me in and out of them. I pulled them off and straightened, looking at Ned who stood there with his hands on both narrow hips, giving me a dirty look. “She missed me? I was gone like a sum total of three hours.”

“And she’s an old lady whom you completely ignore,” he said.

I felt anger surge through me, and I didn’t appreciate the undertone of his words. Who the hell was this guy to tell me something like that? I adored my nana and spent all my time with her when I was at home and this jerk wasn’t around. He had no idea what went on when he wasn’t here. I barely held onto my temper as I glared at him. “That’s total bullshit.” When he opened his mouth to protest, I continued. “You know what, Ned? This situation is becoming unsustainable.”

“What situation?” he asked, looking worried.

I waved my hand between his chest and my own. “This situation. You are her nurse. That’s it. I don’t need you to tell me crap like I ignore my grandmother when I don’t do that at all. You already know this. When you’re not here, who do you think she spends time with?”

“Well, I imagine it’s you…when you’re not otherwise occupied,” he shot back.

My anger erupted as I pointed a finger at him. “And that’s another thing. You insulted Miguel earlier and called him names. Fuck, Ned, you even tried to spray him with pepper spray. You do realize that’s a chemical weapon, right?”

Ned laughed. “He deserved it for threatening me.”

I wanted to scream but I had to keep my voice down so that I didn’t upset my nana. “He did not threaten you,” I said through gritted teeth. “He may have insulted you but not before you started it.”

“He isn’t exactly the type of person you should be bringing home, Raven, and you know that,” he said, lifting his chin. I was a lot taller than he was, so looking down his nose at me took a lot of effort on his part; he somehow managed to do it anyway.

“You have no idea what type of person he is because you don’t know him or do you have a problem with him because his name is Miguel?”

“You don’t usually slum it with those types.”

His audacity was mind-blowing. I shot daggers at him. “Hispanics? Is that what you’re getting at, you prejudiced piece of crap?”

“I didn’t say that. I’m only saying that I wouldn’t be surprised if the neighborhood watch called the police the next time he comes around. I mean, just look at the battered, old truck he drives.” He pointed to the front window before turning back around. The malicious grin on his face was on full display. I was about to say something worse than he was a piece of crap when he kept on talking. “Frankly, I’m surprised there’s no lawnmower in the back. Tell him to put one in there and maybe he won’t be questioned by anyone when he comes back to the neighborhood. And maybe you should tell him to only show up for his booty calls at night…when it’s dark.”

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