Page 41 of Matlock
Looking over my shoulder, my brow scrunched in confusion when I saw Tony. I was speechless and barely croaked out a thank you. Tony nodded and walked off down the hall.
I stared at the coffee cup.
“It won’t bite,” Johnny whispered as he leaned over into my space.
“I don’t believe you.” I choked out a laugh and cautiously picked up the cup.
I took a sip and closed my eyes. It was perfect, exactly the way I liked it, and I wondered what the hell he was doing. He’d only been staying with me for a few days. Would people believe he’d learned how I drink my coffee so quickly?
“Simon.”
I looked around Johnny and found King standing at the mouth of what looked like a hallway.
“Morning, King. Is Grace ready?”
King sighed and glanced over his shoulder. “Would you mind coming up to my room?”
I stood up immediately. “Not at all.”
I followed King up two flights of stairs to his room. The entire walk, I felt like, any minute, Tony would jump out and stop me. That his jealousy would override his rationale, and he would finally accept that he couldn’t live without me.
It was a fool’s game.
When I looked over my shoulder a fourth time, I heard King chuckle. I scrunched my brow and asked, “What’s so funny?”
King shook his head and said, “Nothing.”
We stopped in front of his door, and he paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Give him time, Simon. He’ll comearound.” Then he opened the door to his room, and Grace’s gasp caught my attention.
I focused on Grace as anger radiated off her. She glared at King, who lifted his hands.
“Already been dealt with,” he said and slipped back into the hall, closing the door behind him.
“Who did it?” Grace asked.
“Did what?” I asked, confused and still mulling over what King had said.
“Give him time, Simon. He’ll come around.”
What did he mean?
Who was he talking about?
I looked at the door behind me.
Did he know?
About me and Tony?
No, he couldn’t know.
How would he know?
“Your face, Simon. Who did that to your face?”
Absently, my hand reached up to touch the bandage on my cheek. I didn’t answer Grace. I turned and looked at the door, still confused. Still questioning King’s words.
“Simon!” Grace called.
