“You called! You said you’d be out of reach for another three weeks!”
“The boat needed maintenance, so we’re in port right now. I figured I’d call and check on you.” He eyed me. “Why are you in Jackson’s kitchen?”
“Um.” I glanced around, wondering if or how much to tell him.
“What the hell, Iris? Why are you in Jackson’s kitchen right now?” He raised his voice. “Jackson?”
“He’s not home yet.”
“Something you need to tell me?” Travis’s skeptical look intensified.
“Mom came into town and is being weird and kind of scary, so I’m staying with Jackson for a few days,” I blurted out.
“Momwhat? When?” He cursed. “Where the hell is Jackson?”
“I told you, he’s still at work. She came into town Friday night, I think, and she wanted money, and she wouldn’t go away when I told her to. And, um…” I gave him a quick rundown of everything that had happened with Mom, then had to back up and give him every single detail.
“So now you’re staying at Jackson’s place. And cooking for him,” he said when he finished his interrogation.
I put my free hand on my hip. “How do you know I’m cooking for him?”
“You’re wearing his apron.” He squinted. “He’s eating your food?”
“Of course.” I pursed my lips, pretending I didn’t remember all the times Travis had razzed me about my cooking.
He grimaced and muttered something under his breath.
“I’m just trying to make myself useful while I’m stuck here.”
“Suuure. Look, Jackson will take care of Sue. He knows what to do, so stay put and do whatever he says.”
My back straightened, something disquieting prickling across my skin. “What do you mean he knows what to do?”
Guilt flitted across Travis’s face. “Nothing. Jackson knows how to handle himself, that’s all. Look, if you’re together—”
“We’re not together!” We hadn’t talked about anything serious, despite my little daydreams, and I didn’t want to involve Travis unless it was serious.
The front door creaked open. “Oh, wow, Jackson just got home. Want to talk to him?” There was more than one way to skin a cat. And these particular cats were always chattier with each other than with me.
“Um, fuck yes I do.”
I handed the phone over.
Jackson’s face tightened when he recognized Travis. “Hey,” he said as he went into the bedroom and shut the door.
I knelt down and listened at the keyhole. It was amazing how much someone could learn if she was willing to be quiet and wait.
“What the hell, dude?” Travis said.
“What?” Jackson sounded confused.
“You didn’t even try to get in touch to tell me Sue was back in town.”
“I left a message with your boss. He didn’t give it to you? He said you were in the middle of some major repair.” The mattress creaked. Jackson must have sat down on the bed.
My chest tightened at the confirmation that these two assholes were working together, talking about my life behind my back and locking me out of the conversation like I was a child.
“He must have forgotten,” Travis grumbled. “How much does she want this time?”
