Page 27 of The Keeper

“I thought this was a book club meeting, not a therapy session,” I said, my words coming out a little harsher than I’d intended.

Because Adil was right. I did use Evie as an excuse, but how could I not? She’d already lost her mother, and her life was unstable enough thanks to my job. I didn’t want to bring someone into her life who might not stay. The risk wasn't worth it.

“I’m just trying to help,” Adil said. “I⁠—”

“Hey, Chakir! We need you to settle a debate for us!” Samson yelled. He was standing near the cookies with an indignant-looking Stevens. “Which type of dinosaur would be more open to pegging? Triceratops or allosaurus?”

“Be right there!” Adil yelled back. He stood and paused to look at me. “Think about what I said. Once the World Cup is over, you’ll have more time, and…yeah. It’s your decision. But I think going on one date would be helpful. Doesn’t have to be a relationship. Just keep an open mind, yeah?” With that, he jogged over to Samson and Stevens. “Guys, we literally just read a book with pegging two months ago…”

Adil’s words stayed long after he left.

One date. When was the last time I went on a proper date?

The fact I couldn’t remember was concerning in and of itself.

He might be right, but the thought of engaging in small talk with a stranger for an entire evening made me want to crawl out of my skin. I hated awkward silences and forced conversations. I’d rather be lonely than endure the emotional equivalent of a job interview.

An incoming call interrupted my brooding. Carina.

I picked up immediately. “Is Evie okay?” I demanded.

“Oh my god, yes. Sorry. I didn’t mean to alarm you,” Carina quickly reassured me. She sounded breathless. “She’s still at Briana’s, right? I haven’t picked her up yet.”

I exhaled with relief. Being a parent meant every unexpected call triggered a mental cascade of worst-case scenarios.

I knew Evie was working on a school project at her friend’s house. Carina wasn’t scheduled to pick her up for another hour, but worry often trumped logic.

“Actually, that’s why I called.” A loud splash nearly drowned out Carina’s words. Where was she, at the water park? “I won’t be able to pick up Evie on time today. I am so, so sorry, but there’s an emergency at my flat and it’s taking longer⁠—”

“What’s the emergency?”

“Something with the plumbing. It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s obviously not a small deal if it’s keeping you there for an hour.” A frisson of concern snaked through my chest.

Carina didn’t live in the worst neighborhood, but it wasn’t the best either. It also wasn’t like her to be so cagey. What wasn’t she telling me?

“Don’t worry about me. I can handle it,” she said. “I just called to let you know so you can make alternative plans. I swear, this won’t happen again. I’m really sor⁠—”

“Stop apologizing and tell me what’s really going on, Vu.”

After a brief hesitation, she sighed and said, “When I came home, the toilet had overflowed, and the flat is flooded. We always have toilet problems, but this is the first time it’s been this bad, and my roommates don’t get off work for another couple of hours. I’m trying to—” Someone shouted her name in the background. She groaned. “That’s my landlord. I have to go. He’s, um, not taking this situation well.”

I glanced around the room. Adil, Samson, and Stevens were still arguing over dinosaurs and pegging. Gallagher had finished drawing his devil horns and moved on to defacing the rest of the poster. The rest of the team were engaged in equally trivial activities.

Fuck it.

“You said you’re at your flat? The same address I dropped you off at the other night?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“What? Noah, you don’t⁠—”

I hung up before she finished her protest. I’d already made up my mind, and nothing she said could change it.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Adil asked when I strode toward the exit. “Book club’s not over! We still have to discuss the mechanics of how the allosaurus⁠—”