Page 14 of Wicked Little Game
“What do you want? And why did none of you fuckers pick up the phone when I called at least ten times?”
“Well, at first we were out drinking and Rockwell told us to shut off our phones. Said something about you being pissed. Then we were on a short mission, nothing big. And after that, I had to get Logan's hand out of some guy's ribcage and all of my stuff was bloodied and I didn’t want to get my phone dirty and…”
“Max,” I stop him before he’s talking for another five minutes. “Did you just call me to talk my ear off?”
“Kinda.”
“Idiot.”
“How’s the mission going? Bet you’re gonna take your sweet time with gathering evidence. Rockwell showed us the file of the little missy you’re guarding.”
I hear his grin through the phone and my blood starts to boil.
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, why?”
“Why was there no file before he sent mehere? What is wrong with all of you? When did this task force turn into an understaffed Waffle House?”
Someone is yelling in the background and from the sound of his voice, I figure it must be Logan.
“Logan asks if she’s single,” Max blurts into the phone, completely ignoring me.
“No,” I say and I’m shocked at how quick this lieleft me. “And she’s not even that hot, just goddamn annoying.”
“Lie after lie, Sammy. Hurts a bit, given the fact that you’re my best friend…”
“You’re not—” Before I can make Max cry, there’s a knock on my door, followed by Ruby calling out for me.
“James?” Max screeches into the phone before I turn it on mute. I want to place it on the sink but it slips down the ceramic.
“Who are you talking to?” Ruby asks through the closed door and my patience is wearing so thin that I struggle to come up with a good explanation.
“No one. I was watching a video. And why the hell are you eavesdropping? What are you, a preschooler?” I say as I pace around the room.
It feels too small, this house feels too small, and I want to bring an entire continent between her and me.
“Calm down, I was just asking.” And with that, she walks back to her own room, her door falling shut just a few seconds later.
Why is everyone telling me to calm down today? I am fucking calm.
Max’s hysterical laughter almost shreds my eardrums as I pick the phone back up.
“You know I love you man, but I don’t know where I should start to make fun of you,” he forces out in between laughing fits and something in me just gives up. I don’t evenwant to yell at him anymore. I’d probably do the same if I was in his situation.
“Did Rockwell get the picture of the rifle?” I ask in an attempt to switch the topic.
“Yeah, told Charlie to do a bit of digging.”
“Great, because Charlie proved to be competent so far. Tell Rockwell that he has to stop giving him important tasks. And you—you’ll text me before you call, understand?”
“Yes, Sir,” Max groans.
“Really, Max. She has ears like a goddamn hare and I don’t want to give her any reason to snoop around. She already saw some of my documents.”
“She what?! I don’t think you should go around calling someone incompetent, Sammy.”
“Stop it with the fucking nickname or I’ll board the next flight and then not even Logan will be able to keep you safe.”
