Page 54 of Endeavor

I groan. “Starting?”

Calvin gives me a sharp look that says, be nice, and don’t bite the hand that feeds you. I have been unhappy with the record label as of late and Calvin knows this, but he also doesn’t want us rocking the boat in the middle of our contract. We have the option to leave them after our next album. Let’s just say, I’m counting the days.

“We don’t,” Detective Benson answers Calvin.

The next thirty minutes are comprised of Benson asking me more questions. Calvin acting all defensive. And the two officers filling out an insane amount of paperwork, which probably means they hate me now.

By the time everything is done, I’m exhausted and all I want to do is crawl into my own bed. I head to my garage and find some old pieces of wood that were left there from some projects. I take my hammer and cover the broken window up the best I can. I replace the bulb in the patio light, which thankfully still works.

I crawl into my bed, hoping tomorrow will be better. Although not everything was bad about this day, just its ending.

Emma

The sun streaming through my window wakes me. I smile as I remember last night. How can everything be so different in just one day?

I throw the covers off of me and head to the kitchen to make coffee. As the coffee brews, I flip through my messages.

Kate: How was dinner?

I decide to let her know that Grady and I are back on.

Me: Grady and I sort of got set up by Blythe last night.

Kate: Seriously?

Me: Yep.

Kate: Is that good or bad?

Me: Good, very good.

Kate: Yay! I want to hear all about it! Call me later.

Me: Sounds good.

I pour cream into my coffee mug and read my next text message.

Unknown Caller: Light and lust are deadly enemies.

What in the actual fuck? My mind briefly goes to the note I found in the hall the other day. Is someone in the apartment complex trying to befriend me with weird Shakespeare quotes?

I delete the message.

Grady: Call me when you wake up.

I smile and press call. I’d texted him when I got home, and he’d written back “goodnight.” I had hoped to hear more from him last night, but I had passed out soon after getting home and finishing an assignment. He must have sent this message a few hours after I went to bed.

“Hello?” a very groggy Grady answers.

“Oops, did I wake you?”

Grady clears his throat. “No, well, sort of. How are you?”

“I’m fine. How are you?”

“I’ve been better.”

“What’s wrong?” I question as I take a sip of my coffee.

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