Page 44 of Home Game

“I didn’t say or do anything, he’s just their enforcer and he’s trying to prove himself.”

“What’s that?”

“Paid bodyguard. If someone does something to his teammates, he does the fighting for them.”

“Oh, are you the enforcer for your team?”

I almost choked on my beer. “No.”

She was serious when she said, “That’s probably a good thing for you then.”

This chick was slaying me.

“So, how are you doing?”

“Good.”

“Yeah? Did you do anything or go anywhere?”

She sighed and looked like she was debating answering. “I went to the library but without ID, I can’t take any books out. So, I went there a couple of times to read.”

Who was this chick? “They still have libraries?”

She snorted, sarcastic. “Yeah.”

“I thought everyone read books electronically now.”

“Some of us still read the old-fashioned way.”

“What do you like to read?”

“What do you think I like to read?”

I studied her. “I don’t know. Maybe books about serial killers or murder books?”

“Murder books?” she almost looked indignant.

“I don’t know. You look edgy, like you would be into that shit.”

“Huh,” she said. A long pause. “Well, I’m going to bed.”

She was halfway back across the room when the words blurted out of me. “You got plans tomorrow?”

Her shrug was almost indiscernible.

“I could use your help tomorrow.”

“What time do you want me to be ready?”

“Let’s say 9?”

She nodded. I dumped the empty plate and my beer in the sink, not letting myself look at her as I picked up my bags and walked to my bedroom. It took me a few minutes to realize that someone had washed the sheets.

I wokeup at 8:55 AM.

I sat on the edge of my bed and rubbed my face. It was silent outside my bedroom. Why had I thought I would want to go shopping today? Hopefully, Zoey had also slept in. I pulled on a pair of shorts and walked outside. I wanted to chill out today. Watch some TV. Have some downtime.

Zoey sat at the island, watching my bedroom door. Waiting for me.

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