Page 75 of Played
"Sweetheart, I didn't order this."
My face burns. "Oh God, Gord. I'm so sorry."
"No harm done." He waves it off, already pushing the plate back. "You got a lot on your mind?"
"Something like that."
"You're too young to be losing your marbles yet." His eyes crinkle at the corners, warm and grandfatherly.
I force a smile. "I'll get your burger right now."
Back in the kitchen, I lean against the counter and press my palms to my eyes. Between this job, moving into Julian's, Daniel's threats, and Claudia's case, my brain feels like it's shorting out. Too many tabs open. Too much noise.
I pull out my phone and dial Raine.
He picks up on the third ring. "Yo."
"Hey. Any progress on that phone?"
Silence.
"Raine?"
"Haven't gotten to it yet."
My jaw tightens. "Seriously? It's been almost a week."
"Yeah, well—" His voice cracks. "My aunt died. Car wreck. I've been dealing with that."
The air leaves my lungs.
"Oh, my God. Raine, I'm so sorry."
"It's fine."
"It's not fine. Take all the time you need. I shouldn't have—"
"I'll get to it when I can, okay?"
"Of course. I mean it. I'm really sorry."
"Yeah. Later."
He hangs up.
I stand there staring at my phone, guilt and frustration knotted tight in my chest. Colleen's counting on me. Claudia's still missing. And I just snapped at a guy who's grieving.
"Order up," Reeves calls.
I grab Gord's burger and head back out, plastering on a smile.
"Here you go. On the house."
Gord looks up at me, concern etched in the lines around his mouth. "You sure you're okay, sweetheart?"
"I'm fine," I lie.
But I'm not.
