Page 3 of Bite Me

“Yeah, it’s my birthday, and you missed it.”

“It’s not your birthday. I know when your birthday is.”

“Just testing you.” She smiles, setting her phone down on her bed with a pudding cup in hand.

Like I need any more tests. Grabbing more paper towels and soap, I stare at the harrowed, pathetic man in the mirror and press my fingers to the bridge of my nose.

“Did you fall in or something?” She motions to my shirt.

“Florence,” I say her name through gritted teeth. “I’m busy. Can I call you back later?”

“No. You haven’t called me in two weeks. I was scared that maybe he finally got to you, and then I’d never see you again, and I’d have to watch you on TV like Daniel and John.”

Her lack of confidence in me would be insulting if I could get any lower today, but I’ve already hit the bottom of the barrel.

“You’re being dramatic.”

“Maybe, but you only respond to theatrics and tears.”

A sound leaves my throat that is barely a laugh. She’s ridiculous. As if the calls from her boarding school teacher about poor grades and disciplinary action weren’t proof enough of that.

My phone vibrates on the porcelain. Why is my grandfather calling me now, of all times?

“Speak of the devil.”

“Don’t ditch me for Clyde.”

“I have to. I promise to call you tonight. Okay? I’m free all night.” I’m free every night, not that she needs to know that.

“Fine.”

The call ends before I can say goodbye, and the next one begins right as I muster a greeting.

“I need to speak to you in my office.” My grandfather’s voice is hoarse, as if he just got out of a meeting. Or a screaming match.

“Today?” He never comes to campus on weekends; he’s usually at his vacation home.

“Yes, it’s urgent. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

“Something?”

My grandfather doesn’t mince words, and he doesn’t keep secrets from me. But “something” could be anything. Culinary club duties? Something with the company? I physically don’t think I can pick up another responsibility.

“It’s more of a ‘someone.’”

I stop cleaning the sink.

“Well, who is it? Someone I know?” What is it this time? Someone to blackmail, extort, gain their trust, only to betray them later?

“Emma Osborne. Do you know her?”

My two worlds collide at once.

I’ve tried hard to keep Emma’s name out of my grandfather’s mouth. For the first time in my life, for a reason I can’t quite place, I contemplate lying to my grandfather.

Well, shit.

Chapter Two