2
Jeremy lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. He couldn't believe they'd let him go. When they'd slapped those cuffs on him at Work he had that same lost, helpless, panicked feeling he'd had way back in his teens when they'd cornered him for the Atlanta killings.
What had happened? Had they screwed up the prints? Did the computer burp while it was processing his and not recognize them?
Or had it been a higher power, guiding his fate?
Whatever the reason, he was glad he was out.
He stretched out his hand, expecting to touch Dawn. Instead he found an empty bed. Then he heard the toilet flush and Dawn stumbled into the room, looking pale.
"Somethin wrong, darlin?"
"Feel crummy." Rubbing her arms she crossed the room and closed the two windows. "It's freezing in here!"
He repressed a flash of anger. She hadn't even asked.
"You know I like fresh air."
An open window… no such thing at Creighton. Ever since he got out he'd kept one open in every room. Now, even though the window had been closed only a few seconds, he felt closed in. But he couldn't tell Dawn that.
She tumbled into bed and pulled the covers over her. Jeremy reached under and rubbed his palm over her ass.
"Too crummy for a little lovin?"
She pushed his hand away.
"Totally."
"Hey, you mad at me? That fight wasn't my fault. I was just—"
"If you were home here instead of hanging out at a bar while I'm working—"
Anger flashed through Jeremy but he controlled it.
"Hey, now, darlin. I told you to quit that job."
"And I did. I gave my notice but I can't leave them totally high and dry."
"Fuck "em."
Truth was, he didn't want her or anybody else around all the time. Back at Creighton, day and night, twenty-four/seven, someone had always been around. Even though he craved his own time, needed to be able to drop into a place like Work and just hang, he had to act like the devoted, protective, take-charge boyfriend. He thought of playing that guy Joe Henry's video game yesterday—most likely wouldn't have been able to do that with Dawn along.
That guy was all right—a gamer and a Kicker to be.
"They've got two weeks, then I'm so gone. But what happens last night while I'm there? I get this call that you're in jail and need to be bailed out and I have to leave work and I'm a wreck and now I feel like shit so just let me sleep."
He gave her butt a gentle pat instead of the hard slap he wanted to.
"Will do. Sleep tight, darlin."
He returned to staring at the ceiling, wondering why he wasn't in shackles on his way back to Creighton, when her words came back to him.
… I feel like shit. . .
Could it be? Could she have morning sickness? If she did it meant for sure that a higher power was watching out for him. Freed from Creighton… released from jail last night… and now this.
He suppressed a giddy laugh.
Oh, please, yes. Pleasel
Oh, Daddy, wherever you are, this could be it!