Page 26 of Throttle Therapy

“So tell me.Other than the creepy teacher, and telling your creep of a boss where to shove the job, what else is on your mind?”

“It might be easier to tell you what’s not on my mind.”

“Tell me whatever you like.We can switch to video calling, if you like?”

“No.It’s easier when I can’t see you.I don’t have to worry so much about what you’re thinking or if you’re judging me.I can pretend I’m eight again and I’m telling Benji all my troubles over a cup of imaginary tea.”

“Benji?”He couldn’t stop himself from asking.

“Benji was my best friend when I was a kid.”

“What happened to him?”

“Nothing.”

“You said was, I assumed something happened.”

She laughed.The bubbly, giggling sound made something warm deep inside.He liked hearing her happy.

“Nothing abnormal happened.I grew up.I stopped trusting all my secrets to a stuffed monkey.”

He chuckled.

“Benji is a stuffed animal?”

“He is.”

“And do you still have him?”

She was quiet for a moment, and he got the feeling she was debating answering.

“Maybe.”Her voice was soft, as if still having her childhood confidant was something she was embarrassed about.

“That’s sweet.I wonder if I’ll ever get to meet him.”He shook his head and wondered where the hell that had come from.

“Maybe.We’ll see.”

They continued to talk for another hour, until Jenna started slurring her words and her voice had gone thick with sleep.He told her to sleep well, then they disconnected.But Roadkill sat in his recliner for a while, thinking about everything she’d said.All the troubles and worries she’d laid on him.As he thought about it.How could one small woman shoulder so much?And for so long.

But if he had his way, she wouldn’t ever have to face the world alone again.Now he just had to convince her.And her little sister.

Chapter Fourteen

Thechirpofanincoming message woke Jenna.She blinked her eyes open and looked around, wondering what time it was.She’d slept far later than usual from the amount of light in the room.

Picking up her phone, she checked the time first.8:17 a.m.That explained it.She’d slept more than two hours past when she normally got up.And somehow, even with the extra sleep, she didn’t feel any more rested.Remembering what had woken her, she checked her messages and found it had been from Roadkill

**Roadkill: Good morning, darlin’.Hope you slept well.

She frowned at the screen.She’d though the darlin’ last night had been a slip, or maybe something to put her at ease so she’d keep talking.She’d liked it, but had assumed it hadn’t been meant for her.Now, as she stared at her screen, she had to wonder if she’d been wrong.

**Jenna: Slept okay.Thanks for thinking of me.What are your plans for today?

She hit send and forced herself to get out of bed.She needed coffee, breakfast, and a shower.She still had her last shift at the Driftwood this afternoon and as much as she hated the job, she wouldn’t be late.

Jenna stood in front of the stove, flipping pancakes on the griddle and keeping an eye on the bacon in the skillet while she sipped her coffee.Watching bubbles form she let her mind drift, not focusing on any one thing, but letting it all play out however it wanted as she worked.

“Mornin’,” Lacey muttered as she shuffled into the kitchen.She went to the fridge, pulled out a carton of orange juice, and took several long swallows from the carton before closing it up and putting it back.