Page 99 of Code Word
“‘Blake Acosta and Luke Dougherty were seen at a hospital in Mexico today and later leaving on a moped. Blake was seen limping heavily, his knee bandaged. Luke was driving. Both looked relaxed and are reportedly staying in the area for an undisclosed length of time. They were spotted at a bar the night before, drinking beers and laughing, before leaving together.’”
I rolled my eyes. “Before leaving together. Jesus Christ. I think I prefer the photo where I was gaunt and miserable.”
He zoomed in on the photos. “It’s actually a great photo of us on the moped.”
He turned to show me again, and he was right. We did look happy.
“So Jeremy sent that?”
He nodded. “And a text.”
Is Blake okay? He hurt his knee again? He’s not answering his phone. Like you’re not answering yours. Becca told us he found you. Pics of you and him are everywhere. If things get crazy and you need security, let us know asap
Luke gave me a sad smile. “I kinda feel bad for bailing.”
“I don’t,” I replied. “Anyway, the security thing is all Steve. Not Jeremy.”
Then his phone beeped again.
Luke read the text out loud. “‘We need to talk. All of us.’” Then he frowned at me, his face so freaking sad, and I hated it.
His phone beeped again.
Hey asshole, I can see you read this message
I snorted. “That’sJeremy.”
Luke laughed and thumbed his screen, hitting Call, I realized, and put the phone to his ear. “Hey, asshole, nice to speak to you too.”
I couldn’t quite hear what Jeremy was saying, just the familiar murmur of his voice. But I liked the way Luke smiled.
“Yeah, he’s here... His knee’s okay, had an injection, and needs to rest it... Uh, yeah, things here are good.” Then he laughed and blushed, his eyes meeting mine. “You could saythat. No, he walked the beach asking every person he saw if they’d seen me.”
I nodded. “Damn right I did.”
“Yeah, look, I don’t know when we’ll be back. Blake’s off his knee for a couple of days at least.”
Days?
He was thinking we were only going to be here for a few more days?
I was thinking weeks or months. Or never going back at all.
But days?
Luke seemed to read my face because he shook his head. “Yeah, we’ll see,” he said into the phone. “I agree. We do all need to talk.”
I rolled my eyes.
I’d already said all I had to say.
Jeremy did some talking, apparently, and the more he talked, the more Luke smiled at me. “Yeah. He told me... I know.” Then he giggled. Actually fucking giggled. “He is... Okay, adios.”
I stared at him. “You okay there? You were talking about me, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
I sighed. I wasn’t mad at Jeremy. Well, maybe a little. “What did he have to say?”
