I wasn’t sure and told him as much as I sat on the stool behind the counter. “I don’t know what to do, Pop.”
“It’s your life, Seb. I can’t tell you how to live it.”
“You could give me a few pointers,” I joked. “Shit hit the fan because I told that detective I lived with Neil. I had to. He was questioning me.”
I heard my dad sigh. “I know why you’re torn about this, Sebastian.”
“Do you?”
“You’ve been together for a while. It’s… not easy having your heart broken.”
I felt an unexpected lump form and cleared my throat. Like father, like son. My mother had walked out on my dad and me when I was about six years old. My memories of her aren’t great, but my father’s devastation?ThatI remembered with painful clarity.
The shop door opened, and I heard Max go to greet the customer. I turned my back to continue the call with my dad. “Maybe we just need some time apart,” I said lamely.
“Seb,” my dad started.
“Sebastian?” Max called.
“Hold on, Pop.” I turned. “What is it?”
Max pointed. “It’s your detective.”
“My—?”Neil?
No.
Calvin stepped into view from around a pillar. “Good morning.”
My heart did a sudden jump of excitement, which was definitely not what I thought I should be feeling. “I, uh, sorry, I’ve got to go, Pop. Can I call you later?” I hastily said good-bye before hanging up and walking down the steps to meet Calvin.
“How’s everything here?” he asked.
I looked at Max, who got the hint and excused himself. “Fine,” I said, looking up. “Free of any ritualistic dismemberments.”
“Good,” he said simply, as if he were expecting that as my response.
“Am I under arrest?”
“No, but if you want to see the inside of a cell so badly, just ask,” Calvin replied.
I was caught off guard by the smartass response.
Then he did something I hadn’t seen yet. He smiled.
“So you can be rendered speechless,” he stated. “I’ll be.”
I didn’t really know how to answer. I squinted a bit to get a better read on Calvin’s expression. Despite the smile, he looked tired. Haggard, but holding it together. “Have you slept? Since yesterday?”
He consulted his watch, like he really didn’t know what time it was. “No.”
To my surprise I asked, “Do you want some coffee?”
“That’d be nice.”
I led Calvin over toward the register and picked up the second coffee Max had purchased for me. “I don’t know what crazy flavor it is,” I warned.
“I’m not picky,” he said while taking it. “Thank you.”
