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It would have been better if I hadn’t done that

It’s Sawyer’s as and pulls up to the back door of the restaurant

I bite my lip, not sure what to do In a panic, I hborhood "Shit!" I say when I’ the corner, around the block tohoet into h erprints anywhere? No, I earing gloves the whole tiine will be war order police will check that when they co Should I just tell the truth? What’sto do? I park the truck and thro on the hood tothere all day, which I know is stupid, but I’, pleading, that there’s no one up there waiting to catch me

The aparth of relief and hang up s

Twenty-Four

I stare at the phone, and then make a mad dash to check the caller ID It’s a cell number, no name The area code is local And I don’t knohat to do If it’s Mr Angotti, I’ll die But it’s probably a teleotti, I don’t want hieor worse, try the restaurant line and get e for the phone and pick it up, forcing myself to control my voice

"Hello?" I say, like my mother would say

There is a momentary silence on the other end, and I think it must be a telemarketer after all

And then, in a puzzled voice, "Jules?"

I die inside "Yes?" I say, my voice filled with air, not just because of the exertion of lunging halfway across a roo?"

Now I’ to fake it "What are you talking about?"

"Mylot Tonight Come on"

I hesitate "Dude, I’ve been home sick for two days"

"I know that Doesn’t o"

He knows that, he said He noticed I was sick I feel a surge of confidence bordering on recklessness "You’re sounding a little paranoid, Sawyer Why, exactly, would I be in your parking lot in the freezing cold when I’m sick?"

"You tell me"