Page 155 of Reeves

I pull out my phone and turn off the music. Everything is irritating me right now. Without thinking about it, I go to my texts and click on Charli's name, checking her thread first.

I'm not surprised to see she hasn't texted me this morning.

How's your day going? Surviving without me?

I hit send and start walking back to my dad's. By the time I reach the front steps, my phone goes off.

That shitty email is hanging over me like a cloud. Otherwise, it's been good. How's your shoulder?

I stop at the bottom of the steps and read it again, my thumb running along the edge of my phone.

Better after last night's therapy session.

The three dots appear immediately, then disappear. Then appear again.

You haven't seen therapy yet. ;-)

I grin at the screen. I start to ask her if she has any openings today, but then think better of it. Too much, too fast. I settle on something more tame.

Wondering when I can get on your schedule.

I believe you've aged out. I'd be happy to make a referral.

I head inside and grab an ice pack from the freezer. The house stays quiet except for the hum of the air conditioning and the tick of the grandfather clock in the hall.

Ageism.

I lie back on the couch with the ice on my shoulder, set the phone on my thigh, and close my eyes until it buzzes again.

This morning was close.

I know. Sorry about that. But it did make for a funny morning.

It's all fun and games until Benjy catches us. Then we're both cooked.

I stare at the screen. I stare at the screen. She’s opening the door, and I step through it.

I remember how you taste.

The dots start and stop three times.

Reeves.

I remember how you sound when you come.

Stop.

My phone rings. Gabe's name flashes on the screen.

"Goddammit," I yell. Normally, I would decline the call and finish. But I need to know what he found. I answer before the second ring.

"What've you got?"

"Not everything yet, but enough." Gabe's voice carries a different weight now. The casual tone from earlier is gone. "This isn't a random audit."

I press the ice pack harder against my shoulder, waiting.

My phone vibrates against my ear. I pull it away to see her text.