“Do whatever you want. Watch TV. Cook. Or bake. Yeah. Why don’t you bake a pie?”
“Bite me.”
“Tempting.” He laughed. “I’m kidding, okay? Joni is off work today so she’s gonna swing by.”
“Oh. Well, why didn’t you lead with that? I like her.”
“And she likes you.”
The sound of a motorcycle drew my attention, and I got up off the couch and headed to the living room window to peer out. A guy parked his bike and took off his helmet. He looked young. My age.
“Who’s that?” I demanded as I took in the lanky, brown-haired guy.
“That’s Cheese.”
“Cheese? What kind of name is Cheese?”
“It’s his road name,” Colt explained. “He’s a newly patched brother.”
“And he’s here why?”
“To keep an eye on things.”
My gaze narrowed. “You mean to keep an eye on me.”
“Well, that too.”
“I don’t need a guard dog.”
“I’m thinking trouble could find you in the dark.” He reached into his pocket and tossed me a cell. “Finally got you a phone of your own. I programmed in a few numbers in case you can’t get ahold of me.”
“Why would I want to get ahold of you?”
“I dunno. Maybe you’ll miss me.”
“You wish.”
“Yeah, I do wish.”
“What’s gotten into you?” I demanded.
He stared at me for a long moment. “Nothing.”
Colt was lying, I was sure of it. Only I couldn’t figure out why. We were playing a game. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew I wanted to win.
Chapter 8
Thirty minutes after Colt left,I walked out on to the porch and held out the PB&J to Cheese. “Sandwich?”
He looked up from the paper he was reading while sitting out on the screened-in porch. Smiling, he didn’t appear at all perturbed to be my babysitter. “Thanks,” he said, taking the plate from me.
I sat down in the chair next to him. “I didn’t know anyone still read an actual paper.”
He chewed for a moment and then swallowed. “I like it. Makes me feel like I’m still connected to something tangible. That’s weird, right?”
“No. Not at all. So how did you get suckered into watching me?”
“I didn’t get suckered. It was an order, and I’m glad to do it. It’s an honor.”