Page 23 of Sins and Secrets

Me: You didn’t answer the question.

Waverly: It’s been a rough day, but I’m spending the next few nights at a friend’s house.

My shoulders sink into my chair as I finally relax. She’s safe. I don’t know why I was worried she was in danger. Maybe because I almost crushed her with my car. I’ve never seen her that lost before.

A bad day is an understatement.

Me: Let me know if you need anything.

Waverly: Will do.

I toss my phone on the desk and start working on a few outlines for upcoming clients. Questioning the historical accuracy of the armor on a Viking warrior I’m shading, I snap a picture and send it to Waverly.

Me: Is this right?

I don’t need her. I could google it myself.

Waverly: The helmet is wrong.

She sends me a picture of the correct helmet from a museum in Norway. Hmm.

Me: Thanks.

Waverly: No prob, bob.

I erase that last fifteen minutes of work and try again. Hmm, like erasing the last five years and getting a second chance.

My phone chimes

Waverly: Hey, have you seen Tucker and Dale Versus Evil?

Me: It’s a top 10 movie for me, why?

Waverly: I was watching it but we got interrupted, and now I have all this anxiety about it.

Oh, she’s asking if they survive.

Me: The ending is very satisfying.

Waverly: Wanna finish it together some time?

Me: Absolutely.

I’m about to pick up my pencil and start working again, when my phone buzzes. I grab it again, and the smile I didn’t realize was there falls slightly. The message is from Adam.

Adam: I need you.

He drops a pin on his location.

It’s the same shitty bar I went to with Darren and Kyle. Ugh. The bottoms of my shoes are already sticking to the floor just thinking about it.

Adam: plz

Hmm, he’s never said please to me. Against all better judgment, I grab my keys and head out.

As soon as I walk in, my annoyance and disdain for humanity spikes. It’s crowded and loud with a mix of old timers in the corner, a bachelorette party squealing by the pool table, and a bunch of bros cheering on a football game.

At the bar, Adam sits alone, hunched over. “Hey.”I slide one ass cheek onto the stool next to him. I don’t want to commit to a double cheek sit. When Adam’s involved, I always have an escape plan.

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