Page 24 of Lost and Lassoed

But he had a point.

“Fine,” I said. “Don’t poison me, though.”

“No promises.”

Chapter 11

Teddy

Dinner was…surprisingly pleasant. Riley told Gus about our day in excruciating detail. He seemed okay with everything, until she told him about the laundry. His eyes flashed with annoyance.

After dinner, Gus and Riley fell into a routine. He rinsed the dishes, and she put them into the dishwasher. I tried to be helpful by clearing the table and putting leftovers in the fridge, but Gus shook his head. “I’ve got it. You’re off for the day.”

Something between us felt stilted right now—like we didn’t quite know how to communicate without arguing and shooting insults at each other, so instead of responding, I just gave him a nod and wandered off to my room.

My phone buzzed with a text from my dad.

Hank (Not Williams):How was your first day?

Me:Good. Easy.

Me:Is Catherine there with you?

Catherine was one of my dad’s home nurses. He had two—her and Joy. They came a couple of times a week while I was working.

Hank (Not Williams):No, Aggie is here, so she sent her home. She’s taking good care of me.

I didn’t know how I felt about that. Usually, stuff like that was my decision. Maybe it was because I didn’t remember the last time I’d spent a Monday night away from my dad, but apparently he was just fine without me.

Me:You scoundrel.

Hank (Not Williams):You can take the man out of the rock band, but you can’t take the rock band out of the man.

Me:Word.

Me:I miss you.

Me:Have a good night.

Hank (Not Williams):Miss you. Tell Gus and Riley hello from me.

Me:I’ll tell Riley for sure.

Hank (Not Williams):Be nice, Teddy.

Me:GOODNIGHT LOVE YOU

I threw my phone on the bed and looked around my new room. My eyes caught on the wildflowers again, and I tried to picture Gus picking them and putting them in here. It seemed so out of character for him.

I’d had a good day with Riley. I felt at peace in this room. Inthis house. I felt tired, but relaxed, in a way I hadn’t felt in some time. I wouldn’t tell Gus, but I was grateful for this.

I guessed now was as good a time as any to take a shower—it had been awhile since I washed my hair, and although I felt weird about taking a shower in Gus’s house, I figured I should just bite the bullet and get it over with.

When I walked out of my room—toiletry bag in tow—the house was quiet, which meant Gus was still with Riley. I didn’t really know how this part of our arrangement would work—just the two of us in the house while Riley was asleep. Would I just sit alone in my room with a book so I didn’t have to deal with him? Would he ignore me if we were in a common space like the kitchen or living room together? Or would we have to talk?

The guest bathroom was just like the rest of the rooms in Gus’s home—simple and neat. There was one sink, a bath/shower combination with a dark green shower curtain and matching bath mat. Green was a recurring color in Gus’s home décor. It suited him.

So far, being behind enemy lines wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

---