“Barn Burner Pub in Pine Valley. Text me when you get here. I’m staying in the bathroom until then.”
“Good call. I’ll be there in ten.”
Ten minutes inside a stall is a long time to think, but while waiting for rescue, I do just that; I think back over every interaction I’ve ever had with Ted.
How did I not see it? Cody and Connie both saw it. I guess I didn’t want to see it. Which leads me to wonder what else do I not want to see?
CHAPTER29
Cody
“Damn,dude. This place looks worse than my buddy’s old frat house,” CT says from the doorway as he lets himself in.
“Yeah, it’sbad,” Rover adds, looking around.
CT is one of the guys from Morgan Thompson that Rover introduced me to. We clicked right away because he says what he means—like right now. His expression alone tells me this place looks like shit. And he’s right.
Since Lucy called everything off and ran from my car, she’s ignored all my texts and calls. She didn’t answer the door last night, either. I only left after a neighbor threatened to call the cops if I didn’t.
“Hey, I thought you said you were going to provide support.” I flop down on the couch, ready to ignore both of them.
I texted Rover last night, told him about what happened. Then this morning, Rover called to say he and CT were on their way over and bringing food, beer, and support. I have yet to see any of it.
Rover enters behind CT carrying two large bags. “Thanks for the help, asshole,” he says to him.
Please let that be food.
CT turns, feigning shock. “What? You couldn’t handle two little bags?”
“Dickhead.”
Rover continues past him, to the dining room. The smell of fried chicken wafts in the air, and my stomach growls.
“Let me get some plates,” I say, getting up.
“Holy shit, Cody. What the hell happened in here?”
I walk up beside Rover and look around. All right, so it looks bad. The sink is full of dirty dishes and cups I haven’t even bothered to rinse. On the counter are three empty liquor bottles.
“It looks like you’ve been drinking yourself to death.”
I scratch the back of my neck. “I’ve been better.”
“Damn, you stink too,” CT says, coming up behind me.
“Fuck you.”
Rover sets the two bags down on the little bit of open table that isn’t covered with delivery bags. I quickly try to clear it all off while Rover somehow finds three clean plates, spoons, and forks.
“I got fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and beans,” he says.
“What about coleslaw?” CT asks.
“I didn’t get no damn coleslaw.”
“Why the hell not? I asked for coleslaw.”
“Can you not? Cody is clearly dealing with enough shit,” Rover points to the kitchen as evidence, then passes around a bucket of chicken while CT grabs the mashed potatoes.
