Page 73 of Shockproof

Expressing my own feelings regarding what I see in our future.

Where I see it.

WhenI’d like to see it.

You know, particularly after we’ve caught the person that wants me dead.

We’re just a few steps away from entering the kitchen when Blu stops shoveling a bite of waffle covered in honey to wave his fork at us. “If her underwear falls out of your pocket again, you’re walking home, motherfucker.”

While his wording is bright yellow and bouncy, it still manages to burn my cheeks during its passing.“Ohmygod, that’s happened?!”

“You can’t make me walk home, Little Boy Blu.” Slater’s fingers slip from mine so that he can continue to stroll further into the room. “It’smytruck.”

“And it’smy eyesthat you keep harming.” Honey drips off the soggy treat. “My retinas can’t handle anymore. I’ve practically been blinded by their brightness.”

More heat flushes my cheeks stunning me silent.

Ohmygodthiscantbehappeningrightnow.

“You really wanna try to pull that shit?” my boyfriend pokes back, letters springing through the air indicating the level of mirth he’s using. “Alright. How do you think my retinas felt when they saw that sunflower nipple pasty stuck to the bottom your shoe two days ago?”

“That’s where that went?!” Aviva squeaks from the bar seat opposite of where Blu is standing.

“Fuck, I wish I had something weird to contribute to this conversation,” Reynolds grouses around the apple slice he’s smacking on.

“Don’t,” Blu and Slater playfully bite in unison.

He tosses a hand up in surrender right before Aviva teases, “It’s so cute when you two do that. You’re like the giant honeybees working together to keep your hive cool. Or warm depending on the season. Keeping everything just right for larvae is a lot more difficult for the Asian honeybees considering where they like to have their hives.” She lifts her coffee mug with two hands around the time I take the seat beside her. “You two often mirror their teamwork mentality. Putting thebeein brotherhood.”

Aviva’s science like joke causes her to giggle yet her boyfriend to quietly deny, “Baby…no. Just…no.”

“I thought that was clever!”

“It was smart,” I artfully try to contribute only to receive an amused grunt from Slater.

“Oh, when she makes a bad pun, she’s smart,” he places a cup of coffee down in front of me, “but when I make one, I’m tryin’ to win Dad Joke of the Year.”

“What can I say?” Picking up the mug is attached to a smirk. “She’s prettier than you are.”

“Facts,” Blu concurs and has another bite of his breakfast.

“How about we gooverthe facts one more time?” Slater smoothly segues. “Wiz is fuckin’surethat was the accountant he caught leavin’ a private airstrip last week?”

“Positive,” his other best friend confirms. “Facial recognition and credit card usage all confirm it’s him. He’shere.He’s got round the clock security. He’s…doing…whatever the fuck he does. He just isn’t in the mood for Thai yet, I guess.”

Slater nods and adds butter to his to go cup of coffee. “And there’sno chancehe’s gone to this restaurant after hours?”

“Surveillance footage from the cameras in the area say no.”

My timing regarding this whole thing was impeccable. I managed to get through that data only to have him arrive in town the very next evening. Digitally monitoring his movements is Wiz’s department; however, it’s almost like the accountant is going out of his way to make himself more difficult to track. Almost like heknowssomeone is watching him, which feels improbable, but sadly not impossible.

“Here’s to hopin’ he makes a move soon,” my boyfriend states on a sarcastic cheer with his beverage.

“Seriously, man,” Blu grumbles upon finishing up the last of his meal. “I’m so fucking tired of looking and smelling and moaning about Thai food in my sleep.”

Reynolds stops mid chew to inquire, “You moan about food in your sleep?”

“Who doesn’t?” Blu jabs back, genuine curiosity causing his yellow lettering to curl.

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