Page 70 of Single Teddy
“No,” he said and hiccuped. “What are you doing in…the kitchen?”
“Oh, that.” I took a small side step just in case the two devices were visible and used my full figure to hide what was going onbehind my back. I’d never been more grateful to be fat than now, when it could literally save my lifeandget the twins into safety.
I smiled, turning to look at the sink faucet. “I was trying to get a glass of water. I’m sorry if I disturbed you. I was trying to be quiet.”
“Well, you failed,” he said, looking next to me rather than at me.
The man was wasted. Like beyond wasted. And maybe high. If he were part of this cartel, it wouldn’t surprise me if he sampled his own product.
Poor kids. As if it wasn’t enough living in a shit hole with a dad who didn’t give a crap about them, they also had to deal with drug abuse in their own home.
“I’m really, really sorry,” I said, unable to move.
Mr. Barnes sat back in his chair, and after managing to control his bobbing head, raised an eyebrow at me.
“Is…is there something else?” I asked.
Barnes burped and then hiccuped before he spoke.
“I don’t know what you’re still doing here.”
“Oh. Still trying to get some water,” I said.
How long did it take to clone a phone? Had they told me, and I’d forgotten, or had they never mentioned it, and I only just realized how ridiculous this was?
I had to turn around to check, but I didn’t know how to do it without getting caught red-handed.
“Where do you keep your glasses? Here?” I asked and pointed to one of the cabinets.
When he looked at where I was pointing, I moved my hips around so I was facing the counter again and checked the screen of the phone the guys had given me. It was at fifty percent.
Dammit.
“No. I’ll get it for you,” he said and got out of his chair.
My heart thumped so loud I was surprised he couldn’t hear it, and even as I turned around to face him, I could barely control my body.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to?—”
“It’s fine,” he grumbled and opened a cabinet to hand me a glass.
He handed it to me, and I froze. The natural thing to do would be to approach the tap to fill my glass. But even if I ignored the fact that the tap was probably nasty, I couldn’t move without giving away what was hiding behind me.
What do I do? What do I do? Think, Wes!
“Thanks,” I said.
I took a deep breath and glanced at the tap.
“I just wanted to say…” I started, turning my full attention to Barnes. “I wanted to thank you.”
“Thank me? Thank me for what?” he asked, stumbling backward before steadying himself on the counter.
I planted my glass-holding hand down on the counter, hoping it would hide the phones from his view, and smiled.
“For working with me. For making sure the kids are on time and not missing school. This past week has been phenomenal.”
Barnes stared at me but didn’t say anything.
