Page 4 of Hide and Sneak
They’re trying to get a box spring around the corner and into the small bedroom when I enter. Sutton’s deep voice booms. “Tilt it! No, the other way! Jesus, were you microwaved as a child?” Amos’s laughter filters down the hall.
Ugh, there goes my peaceful life. What have I agreed to?
CHAPTER 2
SUTTON
Damn Amos.I should’ve suspected that he was full of it when he said Lila was glad to have us stay for a few months. Judging by the looks she gave me, I’m still not her favorite person. Staying with my best friend’s little sister isn’t something I’m thrilled about either. She was always such a goody two shoes when we were kids. I used to love to tease her and get her worked up. The urge to rile her up returned the moment I saw her glaring at me.
Maybe living here will be fun. It’s temporary in any case, while I wait for my house. If she decides she doesn’t want me here, I can always set a camper on my property like I planned in the beginning. In the meantime, I’m grateful for a cheap place to stay.
To show that, I text Lila that I plan to buy dinner for our first night here.
Me
Dinner is on me. I’m ordering delivery. What do you want? Pizza? Tacos? Chinese?
Lila
Why do you have my number?
Okay, things aren’t starting off great. Still, I can’t help myself.
Me
I knew you wanted my number and were too shy to ask. You’re welcome.
Lila
Your back must hurt from carrying all your bullshit.
A few seconds pass before another text from her.
Lila
Tacos
Amos emerges from his room—if you can call it that. It’s more like a walk-in closet. “Carson’s having a party tonight. You in?”
It’s been a long day of work and moving, plus I have stuff to do tomorrow that won’t be fun with a hangover. Besides, that really isn’t my crowd anymore. “No thanks. Not tonight.”
He slumps onto the couch and plays on his phone until Lila returns. She may have been a pain in the ass when we were young, but she has always been beautiful, and the years have only made her more gorgeous.
Dusty darts between my feet, tail wagging. He rushes between me and Amos, hyper and excited. Amos gives him a quick pet, and I sit on the edge of the couch to play with him. He licks my hand, then gives a little bark.
“Here,” she says, unable or unwilling to hide the disdain in her voice as she holds out a key to me. “It works for the front and back door.”
“Thanks.”
She hands another to Amos, then thrusts a piece of paper at him.
“What’s this?” he asks, taking it and skimming the text.
“A job application. The hardware store is hiring. You haven’t been fired from there yet, right?”
It’s a fair question. He probably has to keep a list of places where he’s not eligible for rehire.
“Relax, Liles, I have an interview with a distribution center in Hopkinsville on Monday.”
