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Mal checked his watch It wasn’t late, close to eight, but I was taking away his distraction so he was ready to bolt

“Yeah, sure”

It tookto bed, knowing Malcolot back downstairs, Malcol like he’d been called into the principal’s office I noticed he’d put away the toys, and Shawn’s books were stacked neatly on the ottolass frolance toward the kitchen, didn’t see the bottle there, nor did it sit on the bar

Pressingabout it as I took a seat on the couch next to hiet up and ”

“No problehtlyG’s ass in Madden”

“Wow You kno to irl feel special”

He leaned over, bu me with his shoulder “I do what I can”

I slipped my arm around his My heart rate increased A tidal wave of dread washed over et ahold of the uncertainty I’d wanted to talk to hio played in my head My hand squeezed Malcolm’s arm

“You all right?”

I nodded “Yeahyeah I’ot a little dizzy”

“Too much wine?”

I sat up, ain about ?”

“For real? First, I’ve never lectured you about a da way Secondly, it was a si question You had drinks You said you were dizzy It’s not a huge fucking leap to connect the two together”

I stood and crossed ement than a simple observation”

“If it felt that way, then that has more to do with you than me”