Page 70 of The Sidekick

“I don’t trust your vision anyway,” he shrugs it off, and I giggle as he grins.

My phone goes off in my pocket again, and Shade leans forward, “Tell me he’s ranting because I’m living with you. It’ll make my day.”

“He isn’t ranting,” I roll my eyes and take it out to check.

Max: Trevor has your computer. He’s asked if you would mind meeting him at the bar to pick it up.

My heart twists as I reread the text, and I swallow hard.

“What the fuck did he say? You look like you’re about to cry,” Shade snaps as he leaps up and snatches the phone from me.

He scowls as he reads through and types something, hitting send before I can think to stop him.

“What are you doing?” I reach to take the phone back as it chimes again, but he easily holds me at bay, typing one-handed while cursing under his breath.

“Shade, stop it! Give me that!”

Andi walks in as he presses his palm into my face to hold me back.

“You two get along so well,” she laughs and throws herself onto the couch. She was supposed to be helping, but she only carried a bag of new dresses for me that made me wince at the bright colors. She even bought me a huge supply of my old shampoo and soaps.

“Look at this shit,” he rants, waving the phone in front of her face. She takes it from him without pause, her frown getting darker as she reads.

“What the fuck?”

“Right?” He snaps in agreement.

“What are you two freaking out about?” I know why I’m freaking out. They’re cutting ties with me, which feels like a kick to the ovaries. Yeah, I was planning on doing the same, but I’m not ready yet. I figured they'd both be happy they wouldn’t have to deal with Max or Satan again, not upset. They didn’t leave a good impression on Andi’s group.

“Trevor is trying to get you alone to talk. That can’t happen yet. You already told me that,” Andi says and begins typing herself.

“Would everyone please stop texting as if they’re me for a second?”

“No,” they say simultaneously.

I huff and sit beside Andi as Shade hovers from the armrest.

Me:What time

Max: He’s headed there now to get the day started.

Me: Not good for me busy

“Punctuation is a thing, Shade,” I gripe as I continue reading.

Max: Ok. What time should I tell him?

Me: He just wants to slide me that sweet ???? He better have condoms.

“Andi!” I shriek in her ear this time, but she’s unfazed. The three dots of Max’s typing come up and go away several times before the phone starts ringing. Without a pause, Andi answers.

“Tera’s phone, Andi speaking,” she puts on a professional if irritated, tone and begins examining her cuticles.

I can hear Max’s angry voice but can’t understand the words. When I try to lean closer to listen, she hops up and walks away, Shade following her. The way they have their heads pressed together they look like conjoined twins.

“Oh, no. She’s way too busy to have a conversation with anyone. Kind of like you, huh? She’s getting ready for work, and I don’t want to bother her. No, I have no idea where she works. Can I take a message? Sure, sure. I don’t have a pen on me, but I’m sure I’ll remember. Toodles!”

She hangs up as his voice gets louder, and when it starts ringing again, she sends it to voicemail.

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