Page 28 of Laying Low

“Why would wanting me make you a bad boy?”

“Because you’re perfect, and that usually means Chance should get you.”

Anthony grunted, feeling like he’d gotten a fist to his gut.“And that,” he said, practically wheezing past the pain, “is going to have to wait for a whole other conversation.”

“Sorry,” Reg murmured, sounding miserable.

“Roll over,” Anthony told him.“So I can spoon you and hold you tight as we fall asleep.”

“We can do that now?”Reg asked, but he was rolling over as he said it.

“God, I hope so.It’s the only way I’ll fall asleep tonight, I swear.”

On the Road

REG COULDN’Tremember a time when he hadn’t run on a mental checklist.When he’d been small, it had been simple.

Get up, make sure Chance was up.

Get Chance breakfast in time for own shower.

Get to shower, get everything done in five minutes.

DON’T FORGET TEETH!

Pack Chance’s backpack.

Pack own backpack.

Find out who’s dropping us off.

PRAY IT’S NOT SAL

And so on.

As he’d grown, the checklist had gotten a little more complex.

Get up.

Text Mom to make sure everybody’s still alive.

Text Dean or Val to make sure everybody’s still alive and somebody didn’t just lie to Mom.

Try not to think about Anthony.

Shower.

Try not to think about Anthony in the shower.

Finish shower.

Brush teeth.

Wonder if Anthony is wondering about ME in the shower.

Stop wondering that so you can get dressed.

Eat fruit, fiber, and caffeine to keep digestion regular.