Page 41 of Muted

A glass lands next to my hand and I jolt away, startled by the man I didn’t see approach. My pencil scratches across the paper, so I quickly start erasing the mark I left.

“It’s just water,” Theo’s voice rumbles out. “Sorry for scaring you.”

I ignore him but move the glass closer to me, so he knows I’ll drink it.

He hesitates instead of leaving me in peace, then says in a quieter voice, “Let me know when you get home, please. I know Chester is driving you, but it’s still late.”

This time I do look up into his eyes and feel a chill that’s not as uncomfortable as the one that races through my body every time Cliff comes around. Chester approaches, looking between the two of us. “What’s going on? Why are you working, Susu? We can go now if you’re ready.”

I shrug at him and then pack my stuff back up. Meeting Theo’s eyes which haven’t left my face yet, I try to tell him I’ll text. I think he understands, so he turns to his friend. “Nothing, just checking in. Told her to let me know when she gets home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He smacks Chester on the shoulder before heading out toward the back. Chester looks at me with a raised brow. “Text, huh?”

I bite my lip, unsure of what to say. Is he bothered that I have Theo’s number? It’s not crazy that I would, considering we’re co-workers. When I don’t answer him, he sighs, and says, “You can put your shit away. Let’s get out of here.”

He follows me to the office, letting Cliff know to lock up. Just before I turn away, Cliff meets my eyes, and I can read every challenge and ordernotto say a fucking word to Chester about what he had me do tonight.

I feel Chester’s eyes on me more than usual during our drive home. When he offers me his phone to play more music, I can only shake my head and tilt my head toward him to choose. I just…can’t. Not tonight. Not when he’s being so kind, and I have this sinking feeling that I’m doing something wrong.

It’s not like I know for a fact that the invoices Cliff has me adding in aren’t legit. Likely they’re not, but I can’t prove they’re fake.

He reminds me it’s the last day of the month during the drive and that he and Cliff will be there early for the end of the month numbers. Basically, I have a short night to sleep before he plans on picking me up at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

Chester doesn’t deserve to be deceived by the slug that is Clifford Ford, but I also can’t be found. Ifhefinds me, then he could find my aunt and uncle, and that’s absolutely not a risk I’m willing to take. Maybe I can figure out a way for Chester to see the additions in the ledger without it coming back to me. I just need Cliff to not think I ratted him out.

That’s what I’ll do. I’ll tell him I think I made a mistake and have him run the numbers behind me. It’ll just need to be when Cliff isn’t around.

Feeling slightly better about my decision, I relax for the remainder of the drive, and then wave at Chester in thanks as I exit his car. He doesn’t pull away until I’ve unlocked the entrance to my building, and I watch his taillights head down the road before I make my way up to my empty apartment.

I leave all the lights off as I feel my way to my bedroom, and then fall into the center of my bed, groaning in relief that I’m home. My bodyachesfrom both the physical toll it takes to play the way Vance has me playing for hours in the evening, and the strain Cliff is putting on me.

My stomach rolls and aches when I think about Chester possibly not knowing about Cliff’s changes, then thoughts drift to Theo. The teddy bear of a man whoshouldbe intimidating with the tied back hair and skin decorated with black and gray tattoos winding down his arms, but he’s not.

I lean over to reach into my bag and find my phone.

Me: I’m home. Has anyone ever told you that you remind them of a teddy bear?

Theo: I’m glad you’re home. Are you doing alright? You seemed a bit off tonight.

Theo: Also, no. Does that mean you want to snuggle me?

Me: Maybe a little. I’m okay now, though. Thank you for asking. Also, LOL.

Theo: Did something happen tonight?

I debate if I should answer, but I’ve never gotten the vibe from him he’d divulge what we talk about. Chester didn’t even know that we had exchanged numbers and I’m certain they’re close friends. That has to mean something.

Me: Nothing much. Cliff asked me a few things that just threw me off a bit.

Theo: What did he ask you that bothered you?

I start and stop my text a few times. At first, I think I’ll just brush off his question. After deleting that response, I type out entirely too much information, and then quickly delete that as well.Fuck, what the fuck do I say?

Theo: I see those bubbles showing up and going away. Are you typing a paragraph or debating what you’re going to tell me? Is Cliff giving you problems?

I snort to myself and decide to be honest.

Me: I’m debating…

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