Page 45 of Sundowners
He reached for the back of my thigh and ran his fingers over the tendons behind my knee. But he didn’t take control. He simply stared, his lids heavy.
“I’ll be fine,” he said. “Feed me and then let’s talk.”
I had a feeling his words had a double meaning, especially as he let his gaze drift lazily down to the front of my pants. And suddenly I was all blushing and nervous. I stepped away from him, grabbed his plate, and fled to the counter to pile it with food.
“I haven’t cooked for anyone since—”
The door crashed open in the living room.
“You here, Junior? Damn, what smells so good? Oh…”
I stood in disbelief with Creed’s plate in my hand. Of all the days to decide to crash here…
“Officer Cabral,” Creed said, sitting up a little straighter. Rhonda moved swiftly to his side and stood at attention, just short of growling.
“Hey, Creed, how’s it going? Am I… Wow, is this your dog?”
“I invited Creed over for breakfast.” I didn’t want him to go all Dicknaldo on me and start talking shit about overnight guests. He actually for once didn’t do that.
“This is Rhonda,” Creed said, patting her back to reassure her. “If you hold your hand out and avoid eye contact, that’s usually the best way to approach her.”
Interesting.Rhonda had been all over me with no sign of threat. Perhaps she could tell how her owner felt about me and that put her at ease.
Rey approached slowly and casually with his hand out and smiled at me. “I was just coming by to let you know last night was a bust, but we’ll be out there again tonight.”
“I’m sorry and I’m not,” I said, scooping some of the eggs and potatoes and bacon onto a plate for my uncle, since it appeared he was hungry, or maybe he just drooled all the time and I hadn’t noticed before. “I don’t want them out there hurting people, but I want you to catch them in the act, if that makes sense.”
“Thanks, man,” he said, taking my seat at the table. “Vanessa’s going to call you later to see if you can meet up tonight.”
“I need to go see Lola. She was asleep by the time I got there last night.”
Rey finished his food in like four bites. “I’m going to go by before I report in tonight. I can tell her what you’re up to. I’m just going to grab some more street clothes. Man, I need to do laundry, but Emmanuel keeps leaving his clothes in the washer and forgetting about them and I’m not doing that punk’s laundry. Anyway, thanks for breakfast. And thanks again for all the info last night.” He slipped Rhonda the last of his bacon, which got a tail wag from her, then he stood and went up the stairs to his bedroom.
I sighed as I heard him slam his door.
“He stays here sometimes, but he lives with my auntie Vanessa, his sister. Maybe I’ll pack up his shit for him after he leaves so he’s not tempted to just pop in.”
“Why?” Creed asked. “Afraid you’ll be interrupted?”
I froze with a piece of bacon halfway to my lips. “Why? You interested in something interruption-worthy?”
Creed wiped his mouth with a napkin. He’d eaten most of the food I’d served him. Meanwhile, I’d nibbled a bit but was too nervous to eat much. His sultry smile was back and he let his legs fall open a little wider, inviting me to come closer.I was about to say more when Rey’s boots pounded down the stairs.
“I hope these fuckers come at me tonight. I’d love an excuse to knock their heads in—sorry, Creed. I’m not usually violent, but seeing the faces on these people they’ve attacked… It’s awful. By the way, Junior, Vanessa said they talked to that doctor at the biotech firm and she seemed really nervous. We were thinking since you know a lot about that Spanish organization, maybe you could talk to her. Maybe she’ll talk to you.”
I glanced at Creed, who was sipping from his water glass and frowning. “Yeah, whatever you guys need. I’ll talk to Vanessa. Later.”
Rey looked between the two of us and grinned. “Let me just grab some coffee and then I’ll be out of your way so you can enjoy your…breakfast. You teaching today?”
“At one,” I said, my eyebrows raised. His attempt at cock-blocking was elaborate and drawn out. My patience was gone.
“Dope. See you later then. Bye, Nurse Creed.”
“Have a good day, Officer Cabral.”
Their formality was ridiculous.
Rey grinned at me, winked, patted Rhonda once more, and headed for the door with a little dance step, singing to himself.
