Page 27 of Falling for Her

“I don’t know anything,” he hisses, looking around.

“I can wait while you think it over more.” I start to pull out a chair.

“Fine, okay. If it gets you off my back, I may know a guy who might know something.”

“Call him,” I order.

He sighs and pulls out his phone, careful to hide the screen from me as he dials. “It’s me, call me back.” He stuffs the phone in his pocket.

“What’s his name?”

“I’m no snitch. He calls me back, I’ll tell you.”

I check my watch. It’s just after 5:00 p.m. “I’ll be right back.”

I’m squinting as I step outside and dial Finley’s number. She picks up after two rings.

“He’s fine,” she answers. “He’s in the tree house. He said I can’t go in there because no girls are allowed.”

I laugh. “Okay, well, can you tell him that I’ll be home later than I thought, but when I get there, we’ll spend time in the tree house?”

“I will relay the message,” she confirms. “Look at that now, I’m a secretary.”

“Bye, Finley.”

“Bye, Lincoln.” She hangs up on me.

Back inside, Randy already has another lap dance going. I take a seat near the door and wait.

After two hours of nothing, I get up. “Call him again,” I tell him, and he sighs.

“I’ve been calling him every ten minutes since you’ve been here.”

“Then one more isn’t going to bother you,” I snap back.

He dials, puts the phone to his ear, then hangs up. “Went straight to voicemail.”

“Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to set up a meeting with him.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I have no problem going to your parole officer and letting him know that you’ve been out of your job for two months.” He groans. “You text me the time and place, and I’ll be there.” I stare him down. “Don’t make me come find you again.”

“I’ll set it up,” he assures.

I don’t bother calling Finley as I make the one-hour drive home. When I finally arrive, I see light coming from the kitchen.

“Hey,” I greet them. Asa’s on the couch, looking exhausted. “Sorry I’m late, buddy.”

“That’s okay.” He rolls to his feet. “I’m going to go to bed.” He yawns.

“We spent most of the day biking,” Finley explains from the chair beside the couch. “Wyatt, Lucy, and Sage joined us, and we rode for about four hours.” I look at her, surprised she knows his friends’ names.

I kiss the top of his head, which smells like shampoo, so I know she made him shower too. “I promise you tomorrow I’ll be home early.” He hugs me around the waist before heading toward bed. “Love you, buddy.”

He mumbles at me. “Night, Finley.” He drags his feet up the steps, and I look at her.

“Night, Asa,” she replies softly, “see you tomorrow.”