Page 69 of Till The Sun Dies (Checkmate 2)

“And frustrating middle of the night phone calls?”

He chuckles. “I’m not mad you called. I was worried, but I’m not mad.”

“What time do you normally wake up?”

“Ah… depends.” He moves around in bed. “If it’s a work day, I usually get up at six. If it’s the morning after a set at the club, I get up whenever the hell I want. If it’s after a set but still a work day, I drink coffee like Voldemort drank the unicorn blood, and live a half life until I can catch up with a midday nap.”

“You didn’t play with the guys last night, did you?”

“Nope. I was in bed early.”

“So really, I didn’t wake you up super early. You’re rested and ready for a big day.”

It’s like I canhearhis eyes narrow. “Why?”

I laugh. “I’m just trying to make myself feel better for waking you up.” I take my finished coffee and add a dash of milk. Stirring with a fast finger and hissing at the burn, I pick up the mug and head toward the garage. “I’m heading out to see Wanda.”

“You still didn’t tell me who Wanda is.”

“The Buick.” I switch on the garage lights and grin at the faded hunk of junk in front of me. “She feels like a car someone might wander in, a car you might just drive around for the sheer luxury of driving around. Nowhere to be, no deadlines. Top down and music up, nothing but wind and sun and open road.” I sigh at the freedom this car promises. “Do you know what I mean?”

“Yeah.” He scratches his stubble again. “I know what you mean. It’s a good car.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Umm…” He clears his throat. “Maybe. What do you wanna know?”

“Well,” I sit my mug on the stack of boxes lining the wall and move around to flip on a bug zapper. Mosquitoes are everywhere, and I have a lot of exposed skin. For the first time in a long time, my arms and legs will feel the light. “I had a different question, but now I really want to know what youwon’ttell me. What are your secrets, Angelo? Tell me everything.”

He scoffs. “Not a chance in hell. What was your original question?”

I roll my eyes. “Since you’re awake, maybe you should come over. This feels more like an in-person thing to ask.”

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