Page 18 of Against the Clock

Me: Fine.Chaotic.The usual?

I found myself chewing the inside of my lip, unsure of what to say.The last thing I needed was for Roman to worry that I wasn’t okay.But was I really okay?

Roman: Do you need anything?

Me: That’s a loaded question.

Roman: Anything that your brother wouldn’t kill me over?

I brought my fingers to my lips and tried to hide my laugh.Was he flirting with me?Deep down, I really hoped that he was.

Me: I wouldn’t worry about Mike.He’s just always angry because he should be hooking up with his partner instead of constantly fighting with her.

Roman: Anastasia?

Me: I think so?

Roman: The woman from the party that left with the creep from the bathroom?

I frowned and tried to think of who he was talking about.

Me: Creep from the bathroom?

Roman: Uncle Saul.

Me: Oh, that guy.

God, I hated that guy.I had never felt comfortable around him from the moment I met him.Justin didn’t care for him much either, but they worked together, and right before Justin died, they had been assigned to each other as partners.

Me: She left with him?

Roman: Said she had a date.Mike seemed pretty pissed about it.

Me: Because he secretly wants to bang her.

Roman: I don’t think I want to hear about your brother banging anyone.

Me: Yeah, I don’t think I want to talk about it either.

Roman: How was Rosie this morning?Did she get her donut for getting an A on her spelling test yesterday?

I lowered the phone to my desk and held my head in my hands.Damn it!I knew I had forgotten something this morning.That also explained her sudden hostility toward me on our way to school.

Me: No, there was a shoe incident, and we were late.I totally forgot about it until now.

Roman: I’m sure she’ll understand.

Me: Not a chance.Rosie holds grudges more than anyone I know.I worry about her future boyfriends—especially when they cheat on her in her dreams.They’re in for a world of hurt.

Roman: Shit.

Me: Right?

Roman: Maybe you can make it up to her and grab them on your way home?

I felt the idea start to blossom inside of me, finally something good that could turn the day around and get me back on Rosie’s good side.Before it could last, I heard the ding on my computer and read the email that had just come in from my boss.

Me: Apparently the universe hates me today.My boss just scheduled another mandatory meeting this afternoon.

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