Page 31 of Pretty Poison

Rocky bit back a groan. “Which one was she again?” The residents had a bad habit of attaching the nickname to any nurse they didn’t like, and it was hard for him to keep them straight.

Queen Bea huffed out a sigh. “The new one.”

Still nothing. “When exactly did this bet occur?”

She released another sigh, this one much more chagrined than the first. “Rockford, you’re working my last nerve. Are you senile, or are you just playing me? If it’s the former, I can see if they have another room for you here at the home.”

The pipes rattled in the wall a bit when Asher turned on the shower. Rocky knew he was looking at a significant expense to replace the worn plumbing and hoped it would hold off a while longer. His mind started to drift to images of his husband soaping himself in the shower.

“Rockford, are you still there?” Nana asked.

He chuckled. “Go easy on a guy, Nana. You woke me up, and I haven’t had coffee yet.”And I have a naked, hot-as-fuck husband in my bathroom.

“Oh, did you stay out late working on a case?” As if someone flipped a switch, her voice shifted from irritated to excited. “Tell me all about it.”

“You know I can’t, Nana.”

“You always say that,” she countered.

“Because it’s true. I can’t blab about my clients. My reputation is everything in this business.”

“Not even a tiny hint?” she asked.

“Nope. About this bet…” he said, shifting her back on topic.

“It occurred during my birthday dinner. You do remember the occasion, don’t you?”

Rocky snorted. “Of course.”

“Well, I introduced you to a new nurse and told you she wouldn’t make it a month. You gave her six. Since she left after two, I win. I’m going to need my money before Friday so I can enter the poker game with Eunice.”

“Okay, Nana.”

“That’s my good boy. Are you watering my flowers and feeding my birds?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Are you being respectful to the neighbors?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Has Cal fixed his awful lawnmower yet?”

“No, ma’am.”

“I love you with my whole heart, Rockford. You’re my favorite grandson.”

“I’m your only grandson,” Rocky reminded Queen Bea.

“One with a smart mouth. Learn when to take a compliment.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

His nana snorted. “I’m going to box your ears next time I see you.”

“You’ll have to catch me first.”

“You’re a pain in my ass,” she grumbled. “Twenty dollars by Friday. Don’t make me send people after you.” Queen Bea hung up the phone before he could respond.