“Yes,” she says. “Definitely. I’d rather we just get everything worked out and out in the open. Then we can start fresh.”
When we slam the doors shut on the Beetle it sounds like we’re closing ourselves into a tin can. I wonder why I’ve never noticed it before. My life has gotten dimmer today. There are no silver linings - only clouds. Gah, I need to have sex or something and get some spark back into my life. This is lame.
As Teagan pulls away from the curb, I remember something about her case that came up when my mom was visiting me in the hospital, and I’m happy for the distraction my wandering brain has provided. “My mom said that you and I have an appointment at the lawyer’s office Monday.”
“Yeah.” Teagan glances at me before going back to looking at the road. “I hope that’s okay. I told them you’d come.”
“Yeah, it’s fine. But what do they want from me?”
“They want to talk to you about your report again. I guess the lawyer for my step-mother has contacted them with some kind of settlement offer and they want to be sure they understand everything they’re looking at.”
My depression has been replaced by nervousness. Goody. “Don’t they have an expert they’re paying who can do that?”
“Yes, but I guess there’s something about how you did it that they like. Just say you’ll come. I’ll treat you to lunch after.”
“Sure, no problem.” I shrug, staring out the side window. “No big deal, right?” I should be more excited about the opportunity to talk with a fancy legal team about my work, but I just can’t get there. I’m seeing Mick in that hospital bed, over and over. His disappointment. His sadness. His anger at me. Ugh.
Neither of us says anything for a little while. I let the high pitched buzzing of The Beast’s engine mesmerize me as my brain wanders through my memories. I keep picturing Mick’s face, going gray and pained as he collapses outside his car. My heart seizes up in my chest as I picture him not being here on this earth anymore. I’m so glad I got him to the hospital on time, even though it involved me getting electrocuted.
“Are you okay?” Teagan asks. We’re sitting at a stoplight.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I look over and give her the best smile I can manage.
“Bullshit.” She puts the tiny shifter into first gear and pulls out into the intersection.
“No, I’m fine. Really.”
“It’s Mick, isn’t it?”
“No.” I try to act like her guess is stupid.
“Colin?”
“No! Jesus, not Colin.” I shake my head, suddenly angry for no good reason.
“Geez, okay. No need to have a frigging cow.”
I smile without humor. “You are so old school sometimes.”
She grins. “I know, right? Rebel said Mick was having a cow the other day and I made myself memorize it. I swore I’d use it at least five times before next weekend.”
“Rebel said have a cow? I don’t believe that.” I shake my head, trying to picture it. “You made that up.”
“No, seriously. He’s funny.”
“I’ll just have to trust you on that,” I say, not sure I believe her stories. She’s too in love to know what’s what with that guy. “How’s Alissa doing?” I ask, in an obvious attempt to change the subject. Luckily, Teagan takes the hint and runs with it.
“Fine, I guess. She keeps to herself. She hasn’t left the apartment. All she does is read.”
“I guess that’s good.” The surroundings become familiar as we get closer to Rebel Wheels. “Has she said anything about who the father is?”
“No. And I’m not pushing her either. I don’t want her to run away because she thinks we’re going to strong-arm her or anything.”
The way she says that makes me look over. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, just chill-out when you’re around her. Go easy. She’s seriously freaked out over the pregnancy or her parents or whatever. I’m not sure what the source of her mood is, actually, but she’s messed up.”
“Fine.” I try not to be offended by what she’s insinuating. “I can be chill.”
She pats my leg. “I know you can. Now don’t pout.”
“I’m not pouting.”
“Yes, you are. Oh, and good news … Colin’s going to make a ton of cash from that show.”