Page 16 of His Reward
“My landlord Mr.Wolsey and Penny.”My eyes widen.“Oh, Penny’s cousin!Penny gave him her key to collect some things she forgot to take with her.He works at a drug mart a couple blocks from my job.He was supposed to drop off the key with me when he was done, but he never did.”
“What’s his name?Ever met him?”
“Kevin.We went on a date once.It didn’t go well.”
“Why not?”
I make a face.“He hardly said anything and he avoided eye contact a lot.Penny warned me he was shy, but I didn’t expect it would be that bad.I would ask him a question, he’d answer it, and that was it.No back and forth, you know?”
“A lot of guys struggle with what to say to a pretty girl.I imagine it’s worse for a shy guy.”
I bite my lips together, trying not to focus on his hidden compliment.
“I guess so, but I was so bored, I couldn’t wait to get out of there.”Remembering that night makes me cringe.“I kicked our table accidentally-on-purpose, then acted like the pain was so bad I had to go home early.Actually, I didn’t have to pretend.Itreallyhurt.I shouldn’t have kicked so hard.”
Amusement shines in Malcolm’s eyes, one corner of his lips curved up.
“Aside from the bad date, can you think of any other negative interaction with him?”
I shake my head.“I avoided him after that.”
His faint smile disappears.“What about your ex, then?Ever gave him a key to your place?”
“No, but he’s not the kind of person to break into apartments.”
“How are you so sure about that?”
I don’t want to talk about Tyler’s good virtues but I grudgingly share the truth.
“He’s a cheating asshole, but otherwise, he’s a decent person.He looks out for others.For instance, he does charity runs and he’s part of a mentorship program for kids.He’s harmless.”
Malcolm frowns.“Harmless?June, I caught him trying to force a kiss on you last night.”
“I know, but he was drunk.He’s never done anything like that when we were together.”I sigh.“I don’t want to defend him, but I just don’t think he’s capable of something like this.”
“Anybody is capable of anything.Everybody wears a mask.Even the nicest person you know.Evenyou.Nobody can ever know for certain what’s going on in someone else’s mind, or what they’re willing to do if the right motivation exists.”
My phone rings before I can reply.I answer and it’s the police alerting me that they’re in the lobby.
The officers have a look around and question us.They don’t spend long, but when they’re finally gone, they took all my energy and left me with a headache.
Malcolm and I remain standing by the front door.I lean against the wall that separates my kitchen from the entryway, fold my arms, and close my eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the break-in when you first noticed it?”he asks.
I open my eyes.“I thought it was a false alarm and I didn’t want to bother you.”
He shakes his head.“You’re never a bother.You can come to me for anything.”
“Then why did it seem like you didn’t want to drive me home today?It felt like you couldn’t wait to get me out of your truck.”
“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.I was—” He shoves his hand into his pockets and averts his gaze.“I was just distracted.Something was on my mind.”
What was on your mind?
I’m tempted to ask but I don’t want to be nosy.I give him a silent, understanding nod, then sweep my hand over my face.
My body demands rest.I doubt I’ll fall asleep without some help.I’ll have to take one of my sleeping pills.
