Page 140 of The Sidekick

I turn towards it with a frown. I see Shade lean out of the bathroom, shaking his head desperately, and freeze up. Blaze walks in with a scowl, Felix following him, and I suddenly get it.

On one hand, Ha! He’s still a runner, too. On the other, stay away from my big bro, toxic people.

“Do you know where Shade is?” Blaze demands without even saying hello.

“Good morning,” Asher walks from around the counter to stand behind me. He wraps an arm around my waist and draws me back until I’m pressed against him. I’m not sure how to process that. We’re fighting, right?

They both stop in surprise at his presence.

Felix raises an eyebrow, “That was fast.”

I stare at him in confusion, and they both glare back at me like I just kicked a puppy.

“We’re looking for Shade, Tera,” Blaze stays focused on his main mission. “His car isn’t here, and he’s not answering his phone.”

It isn’t? He isn’t? Oh my gosh, he has some explaining to do.

What should I say? What should I say? He obviously doesn’t want to see them right now. He must have parked in another spot to hide the fact that he’s home. Should I say his phone is dead?

“He isn’t here,” Asher says calmly and sips his coffee. I narrow my eyes on the cup and glare at him over my shoulder.

“He was acting weird yesterday,” Blaze looks accusingly between us. I feel like a suspect in a crime. “We’ve been calling, but he isn’t answering. Did you block our numbers on his phone?”

“What? No,” I frown in confusion. “What do you mean he was acting weird?” How could they notice and not do anything about it? These total jerks! I’m surrounded by them!

They both wince at the sound of my voice, “Are you sick or something? You sound like shit.”

“Blaze, focus.” I wave my hands at him. “How is he acting weird?”

“He was off all day yesterday. Staring off into space and not listening. Just… weird. Now he’s not answering his phone.”

“Huh,” I say elegantly. “I wonder why?”

Did that come out too sarcastic? I don’t want to blow his cover!

“No idea,” Blaze rubs the back of his neck, seeming oblivious. “Do you mind if we wait for him to come back?”

“Yes, we do,” Asher smiles at him, and they both stare. They have the most disbelieving expressions on their faces.

I feel a little insulted. One, this isn’t Asher’s house, and he doesn’t get a say in who comes and goes. Two, they’re acting like him wanting to be alone with me is insane. Well, I guess that’s fair with the pajamas I’m wearing.

I’m tempted to invite them in and pour them coffee. That’s passive-aggressive, right? But if I do that, Shade will be trapped in the bathroom until we’re busted. It’s tempting, but I know exactly where he’s coming from with wanting to hide.

“Tera,” Blaze turns a pleading look on me, and I chew my lower lip, trying to think up a good lie.

Asher’s arm tightens at my waist, the other hand dangling the coffee cup in front of my face as if he’s going to give me a sip. I take it from him to buy myself some time to wrestle with my guilty conscience.

“I don’t know where he went. He left so Tera and I could talk,” Asher says and tilts his head to kiss the hair covering my ear.

“Oh,” Blaze says and gives me a confused look that I return. I don’t know what’s happening right now, but Asher seems on top of things. “Can you just give us a heads up when he gets back?”

“He isn’t working today?” I ask in surprise. What the heck? He always works.

“Ira told him to take a few days off to get his head on straight.” Blaze is uncomfortable telling me that, shifting a little and unable to meet my eyes. Is he lying?

“He hasn’t said anything.” And I’m going to grill him without mercy when they’re gone.

“He doesn’t talk to you about work?” Felix asks in a mocking tone and scowls at me.

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