Page 10 of Denim & Diamonds

While it bummed me out that I didn’t have a chance to see Brock, I was probably better off, since this whole thing had become one big distraction from the real reason I was here. I needed to focus on my mental health and go back to the City with a clear head.

Clear your head, notgivehead, Feb. Don’t misunderstand the assignment. I laughed to myself as I walked.

About five minutes later, I heard footsteps behind me.

My pulse raced.

The road was dark, and if anything bad happened to me out here, good luck calling for help—especially with no damn phone.

I picked up my pace, but the next thing I knew, something came charging past me.

It was a dog.

“Oak! Slow down, you big-ass goon!” a familiar voice shouted.

Brock raced past me and caught the dog by the leash. I ran to catch up with them.

“I guess live animals are a bit more challenging than the dead ones back at your place, huh?”

His eyes widened. “What the hell are you doing walking on the road this late, Fancy Pants?”

“Actually, I think a better name for me would be No Pants, wouldn’t it?”

“You said it, not me. I wasn’t gonna go there.”

“Why did Oak run away like that?”

“He goes nuts when the streetlights cast a shadow. He tries to run away from himself. But then in the midst of that, some little animal crossed our path, and he tried to chase it.”

“Aw, he just wants a friend for the bathtub.”

Brock’s expression remained serious. “You didn’t answer my question. What are you doing out here?”

“I went to the bar to return your shirt.”

“You didn’t need to risk your life to return my shirt.”

“This is hardly risking my life.”

“Really? And how the hell are you gonna fend off someone all by your damn self out here? You wouldn’t be able to call nine-one-one fast enough before someone came up behind you.”

“Actually, I don’t have a phone, so I wouldn’t be calling anyone. They confiscate all devices at the center.”

“Wow.” He tugged on the leash. “No phone on top of everything else. They don’t teach common sense in handbag school, do they?”

“No, I must’ve missed that module, along with the taxidermy lesson. I guess you’re just awhole lotsmarter than me, Lumberjack.”

He grinned. “I take it your ladder is safely in place tonight, if you snuck out?”

“Yes. Rest assured, no other man’s shoulders will be corrupted.”

The low rumble of his unexpected laughter vibrated through me. “Well, that’s good. Lucky me.”

We stood facing each other. “I left your shirt and notebook with the bartender on duty.” I crossed my arms. “By the way, why did you write that I wassilly?”

“Thanks for invading my privacy.”

“I couldn’t help it. It fell out of your pocket, and I didn’t know what it was.”