Page 47 of Between Brothers

“One of the bikes broke down and it took longer than we expected to do the shopping. Cell’s disappointed, too.”

“Aw, well tell him I miss you both.”

“I heard that!” Cell called out in the background and I laughed. The phone changed hands and he said, “Sucks you aren’t here, darlin’. I could really use a round like last night.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“I gotta grab a shower so I’ll give you back to Blue. See you tomorrow maybe?”

“First day back on days… hopefully the new night girl works out. If she doesn’t, my dad is switching shifts with me for a while.”

“Okay, well, sleep good.”

“Thanks.”

The phone changed hands again and Blue came back on. “I know I won’t. Not without you here.”

“Friday can’t come soon enough.”

“It’s Cell’s week this week,” he reminded me and I giggled.

“Mm, so it is.”

“How are you feeling about things? Still good?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I think so.”

“Good. Like Cell said, sleep well… I’m glad I get to see you tomorrow at least.”

“Me, too.”

“G’night.”

“Good night, Blue.”

The line went dead and my music resumed through the wireless speakers. I worked for a while longer before climbing up into the loft, plugging in my phone, and laying down.

Friday really couldn’t come soon enough. I was curious about Cell and what things would be like, just me and him. The ice had been broken, but he was still who he was. An unknown quantity in a lot of ways. Closed off, mysterious, and unreadable.

I stared up at the dangling, folded works of paper art and smiled. Blue was right about one thing when it came to Cell. I felt safe around him, and he felt like a man that god help you if you ever crossed him. I knew I never would.

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