Page 72 of Vex

“Nothing. Go back to sleep, Taja,” he answers.

“Craig, show me what you have.”

He holds up two cans of ginger ale, and I’m relieved because I was worried for a second that he might have been sneaking beer out of here.

“Why do you have ginger ale?” I continue questioning him.

I watch as his little shoulders slump, and he walks over to stand in front of me. Making eye contact for the first time, he shrugs his shoulders.

“We’re friends, right Taja?”

“Yes, you’re definitely my friend. Why do you ask?”

“I like being your friend. But I can’t answer your question, okay?”

“You’re going to have to explain that to me, Craig.”

“Pooh told me that a good man should always tell the truth to his friends. He should also always protect his family, no matter what. I don’t know how to do both. Pooh’s not here for me to ask. Neither is Chubs. So, I figure if you don’t ask me that question, I don’t have to lie to a friend.”

Huh. This is interesting but confusing.

“It’s just ginger ale, Craig. Why would you have to lie to me about why you have some? Aren’t you allowed to have it?”

“I’m barely five years old, Taja. I don’t know how to answer these questions without getting someone in trouble or doing one of those things Pooh told me I shouldn’t ever do!” Craig says in an exasperated voice.

“Let me ask you this. Is anyone hurt? Anyone in trouble?”

“Nobody’s hurt. Nobody will be in trouble if you’d just quit asking me questions,” he mumbles. “I’m just trying to be nice and to take care of my family.”

“Okay, Craig. No more questions. If you need help taking care of your family, come get me. I won’t say anything,” I tell him as I watch his face relax with relief.

“Thanks, Taja,” he says before placing a knee on the couch, climbing up close enough to place a kiss on my cheek. After that, he climbs down and races out the door. How sweet.

Curiosity’s killing me, but I don’t want to break his trust by following him either. To take my mind off whatever he’s up to, I pull my phone out and text Vex.

Me: Hi. Everything okay?

Vex: Hey babe. All’s well so far

Me: Any idea when you’ll be back?

Vex: No. Not until we find Rooster though. How you feeling?

Me: Pretty sure I died twice today but otherwise okay. Bored though

Vex: When Bailey was preg. Axel thought he had morning sickness too. We had a lot of fun with that.

Me: Omg! I can imagine him thinking that. Pretty sure he’s convinced he half carried Alex to term lol

Vex: He does think that. He even thought he had swollen ankles

Me: He’s a nut

Vex: Am not! I’m adorable and sexy as fuck with big manly muscles!

Me: WTH?

Vex: Axel just grabbed my phone. That was him, not me

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