“Won’t Orin let you return to work soon?” I frown, assuming that’s what’s bugging him. “What happened was an accident. You weren’t on the right medication.”
“It still doesn’t make what I did right.” Drax hangs his head. “And it was irresponsible of me not to seek proper help in the first place. Orin made the right call, taking me off the team, but…” He heaves a heavy sigh. “I’m hoping that we’ll be able to work something out eventually. Maybe next month.”
“I’m sure he’ll make it happen.” I try to sound upbeat. “You’re a natural protector. Just like your dad.”
Drax’s expression brightens again. I know he’s always looked up to his dad as they have a special relationship.
“Speaking of family.” I stick out my tongue and cross my eyes as my cell phone starts ringing in the middle of the table between us, the caller ID informing me that it’s my mom. “Ugh. I still need to tell them what’s happened.”
“Maybe you should tell them now?” Drax suggests while I eye the buzzing phone like a bomb that’s about to detonate.
“Right now?” I gape at him. “Here? While we’re relaxing, surrounded by a Mexican feast?”
He shrugs. “Rip off the Band-Aid.”
“I’ll do it next time.” I purposely let the call go to voicemail. “I promise.”
Unfortunately, my cell starts ringing again, the quesadilla in my stomach suddenly souring. My mom is just as tenacious as me.
“You better get that.” Drax nods at it. “You promised, remember?”
“Damn you,” I grumble before answering with a voice that sounds much more cheerful than I feel. “Hey, Mom! How’s it going?”
“Sabrina Maverick!” She only uses my full name when she’s mad at or annoyed with me. “Have you fallen off the face of the earth over the last few weeks? You’ve been ignoring my calls, and you’ve been sending one-line texts. The only reason I know you’re still alive and not being held hostage somewhere is because of your brother and Faye.”
“Sorry.” My chest tightens. Admittedly, I have been avoiding her, but that felt easier than lying. “I’ve been… busy.”
“You’ve called me every two days since you started at SVU.” Her irritation melts into concern. “What’s going on? I may not be able to see you, but I know you.”
“It’s a… long story.”
Drax gives me a supportive nod in a ‘this is your moment’ kind of way.
“Tell her,” he whispers.
I smack his arm, though the impact jars my hand more than his. Damn his muscles. He snickers then bites into a taco shell with a crunch.
“Ouch,” I groan, shaking my wrist.
“Are you hurt?” Mom’s voice goes up an octave. “Now you’re really worrying me. Stop lugging that, Gene!” I rush to pull the phone away from my ear when she shouts at my dad. “Sorry, you know what they’re like.” Fortunately, her voice has softened again. “He’s dragging a barrel across the floor. They go from one random hobby to the next. After their last batch of homebrew all but destroyed the carpet in the basement, I thought they’d have learned their lesson, but apparently not.”
“It sounds like you’re dealing with a lot there.” I jump on the opportunity to end our conversation. “Maybe we should talk another time.”
“Nuh-uh. I’m not letting you wriggle your way out of answering my questions, Sabrina,” she huffs. “Your voice has that weird tone. The one you use where you’re hiding something.”
“It does not!”
“I know that voice anywhere,” she scoffs. “Remember the time that you reversed Beckett’s car into my garden gnome family? Or the time you failed that test? Same voice.”
I seriously need to work on my acting abilities. Who knew my mom is basically Miss Marple?
“Okay, so there is something I need to tell you, but it’s…” My palms have gone cold and clammy. “It’s… serious.”
“Serious?” Again, I have to hold the phone away from my ear as she shrieks. “What is it?”
Just as she knows me, I know the hysterical tone she uses whenever she’s trying not to completely lose her shit.
“It’s nothing to worry about.” I attempt to calm her, my hand subconsciously jumping up to my scent locket, stroking it to give me the courage I need. “I mean, I’m safe. I’m okay. I’m healthy.”
