Page 9 of Collin: Episodes 4-6
“But I can.” Dr. Ryker met Ellisandre’s smirk with one of her own. “Your parameters need adjusting.”
Collin shoved his hands into his pockets. “You two should just go back to the office and use the big boards. Mom, I know you’re dying to do it. So just go. Mr. Reevesworth and I are heading home. I need to sleep, and he has business to see to.”
Dr. Ryker blinked. “I’m sorry, Collin. I totally got distracted. Yes, you should rest. The doctor said so.”
Collin shook his head and pointed to the tablet. “This. This is what we worked hard to make happen, Mom. This is what you’re meant to do, why you survived cancer and why we all made sure you finished your PhD. Mr. Reevesworth and I are going to work hard and make lots of money so you can keep doing this and changing the world. Because the things Ms. Linda is doing with that data is just…amazing. I can’t talk about it, of course.”
“NDAs.”
“Exactly. So, go, geek out. Have fun. Make sure you have dinner eventually.”
Ellisandre raised one curved brow. “Collin, you offend me. I always feed my charges.”
“Yes, you’re very good at takeout.”
Ellisandre pressed their hand to their chest. “You wound me!”
Collin grinned. “Your take-out taste is impeccable.”
“Well, then, you’re forgiven.”
“Thank you.” Collin mock bowed. “Mr. Reevesworth said to make sure that Mom gets a room at the hotel by Ms. Linda’s office. Mom, I’m out for the rest of the day, but if you want to, we can do lunch tomorrow? Do you have a flight?”
“My flight’s for tonight.” Dr. Ryker stood up. “So, this is goodbye, at least for the next two weeks. Without classes, I expect you actually home for Samhain.”
He kissed her back on the cheek. “I know. I will be.”
Collin rejoined Mr. Reevesworth on the sidewalk. “Mom’s flight is tonight, so we just said goodbye. I think she’s going to spend the rest of the day with Ellisandre and then catch the train back to the airport.”
“And you’re settled with this, then? Do you need to spend more time with her?” Mr. Reevesworth regarded him with examining eyes.
“Honestly, sir, I need to curl up into a couch and do all the shaking and screaming that I couldn’t do in there while the two of you were fighting, I mean, talking.”
“I’ll order a taxi, then.”
“If it’s all the same, I think taking the slower way home on the train would give me the distance to calm down.”
“Then we shall take the train.”
Taking the train did help. They didn’t really speak even on the elevator up to The Residency. Inside, they both removed their shoes, Mr. Reevesworth first.
He walked deeper into the living room, loosening the top buttons of his shirt and shrugging out of his blazer. “I had intended on a slow morning in bed with you, pet. I’m afraid the mood was rather broken.”
Collin huffed and pushed his shoes into their place on the rack. He joined Mr. Reevesworth in stripping out of his outer layer. “You can say that again. How are your bruises?”
Mr. Reevesworth winced. “An Epsom salt bath would not be amiss. Come. We’ll take one in the master bedroom.”
“I thought that was an outdated term.”
Mr. Reevesworth chuckled. “Unless it’s appropriate for the household.”
“Oh, should I be calling you master then? Shouldn’t you be referring to it as the sirs’ bedroom?”
Mr. Reevesworth broke out into a full laugh. “Don’t change, Collin. Please don’t change.”
Collin followed Mr. Reevesworth into the bedroom. They were met with the aftermath of last night. Sheets were on the floor in a wet pile, a broken twin bed lay to the side, and tiny streaks of blood on the wall.
Mr. Reevesworth sighed. There was a note on the bed. He strode over, picked it up, and read the message out loud.
