Page 85 of Corpse Roads

“Didn’t we discuss the p-word?” I sigh.

“We discussed how much you love it, sure. Other nickname options include pumpkin, honey bunch, and babelicious.”

“Ugh, pass on all three, thanks.”

“Spoilsport.”

With a wink, Leighton snatches up the white box laying unwrapped on my bedside table. It was far too complicated for me to even contemplate.

“Enzo texted and asked me to get you set up. He’s stuck dealing with some work shit. Hunter too, I think.”

“This late?”

“Apparently.” Leighton avoids my eyes, seeming shifty. “Something at the office. I wouldn’t worry.”

“To do with the case? Or me?”

“Oh, look!” He opens the box and pulls out a sleek, rose-gold phone. “It’s pink and everything. How girlie.”

Clearing my throat, I watch him plug it in to charge, still avoiding my question. His fingers fly across the screen so fast, it’s almost intimidating.

When he hands the phone over to me ten minutes later, I gingerly accept it. The screen glows with too many icons and different functions to process. I hate this thing already.

“I don’t know how to use this.”

Leighton snorts. “I’ll show you. It’s easy once you get the hang of it.”

He spends half an hour showing me how to send text messages, call people, and search the internet. Man, that place is wild. There’s so much to learn. My mind is already spinning with possibilities.

Clicking the camera icon, I lift the phone to capture Leighton in the frame. He sticks his tongue out like Lucky would do, letting me capture a silly picture.

“All four of us are saved on there,” he explains, showing me the contacts. “I texted the guys so they will have your number saved.”

“All f-four of y-you?” I stutter.

Leighton’s eyes sparkle with amusement. “Why does that surprise you?”

“Even Hunter? Theo?”

He ignores the doubt in my voice. “Even them. Although you’ll be lucky to get ahold of Theo in daylight hours. From what I hear, he’s nocturnal. Sleeps at his desk and works through the night.”

“Doesn’t he have a room here?”

“Never uses it.”

Filing that information away, I ditch the phone on top of my discarded book. The thought of Theo eating and sleeping alone in an office makes my heart ache. He seems like a good person.

“We could try to make a late dinner for everyone.” I stroke Lucky’s ears as she huffs in contentment. “I’m sure they’ll be hungry.”

Leighton grins, all mischief. “Sure, I’m up for that. No promises that we won’t give them food poisoning with us working in the kitchen.”

“Can’t be worse than your pancakes.”

“Ouch! You wound me. Alright, shift your ass, mystery girl. You won’t like me when I’m hangry and hungover.”

Safe to say, dinner is a disaster.

In our defence, Leighton is over-ambitious.

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