“In person is better.” He looks over my shoulder. “Hi. I’m Toby.”
I don’t have to turn to know Gabby is behind me and hanging on to every word of our conversation. “I’m Gabby. Nice to meet you.”
“On second thought,” I say, and glance at my sister, “Gabby, take my car. Toby will be happy to give me a ride to campus and pick me up later.”
“Great excuse to spend more time with you,” he says.
I didn’t know it’d be so hard to play this game of pretend. I have a few select, ungirlfriend-like words for Toby when we’re away from Gabby. Toby the random—or not so random—texter. “Give me fifteen minutes to get ready.”
“Mind if I sit in here and watch television?” Toby asks.
“Sure you can wait, but there’s no TV.” There’s a hard edge to my voice. I turn and walk down the hall. Gabby’s already quizzing Toby about his life. At least I have that for temporary payback. Gabby’s interrogations can rival a Russian mobster’s.
I’m only inside the bathroom for ten minutes when a knock sounds over the hum of my hair dryer. “Almost done,” I yell.
“It’s me,” Gabby answers.
The door opens and she peeks in at me. “Hey, can I come in?”
“Gab, there’s not enough room,” I grumble.
My mood doesn’t deter her. She pushes her way in, effectively limiting me to a twelve-inch space in front of the shower. “What happened to Dylan? I thought you guys were dating.”
“No. We’re friends. He’s my boss.” My answer comes out in a croak.
She eyes me for too long before answering. “I wanted to let you know I’m spending the night at a friend’s tonight, so I won’t be home.”
“Okay.” I run the brush through my hair. “Open the door. I have to go.”
“Okay? You’re not going to ask more?”
“No. Whatever. You’re a grown woman.” Maybe it’s best if she’s far away from danger and this apartment.
“But—”
“Move, Gabby.” I put my hands on her shoulders and squeeze. “Talk to you later. Gotta go.”
I hurry from the bathroom and give Toby a brief nod. “Ready.”
After shrugging into my coat, I grab my textbook and lead the way outside. We’re at the bottom of the stairs and his motorcycle is missing. He points to a four-door sedan.
“So you don’t even ride the bike? Wow. A complete fraud.” I walk to the passenger side.
He gives me a look and opens the door for me. “Hop in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Toby circles to the driver’s side and slides in. “Listen. I have a cover to protect and you’re so pissed off you don’t care. But it’d be great if you could hold all that in until we’re in private.” He starts the engine and turns up the heat. “Cold?”
I hold my hands against the vent. “I’m pissed. Did you know I was with Dylan when you sent the text?”
Toby shrugs. “You were supposed to break it off. Rafa will never believe we’re dating, unless you’re playing at being a whore.”
“Stop the car. I’m getting out.” My hand is on the handle.
“Wait. I’m sorry. Shit. Calm down. Let’s do what we have to do to keep everyone safe. Okay?”
I stare straight ahead.
He gives a headshake and his mouth forms a hard line for a moment. “I didn’t ride the bike because we’d become icicles, and also, it’s a little tough to talk on a bike.”
“What do we need to talk about?”
“The schedule for today. You have class this morning, right?” He heads the car in the direction of campus.
“Yes. I have class, work, and avoiding you.” I study the landscape out my passenger window.
“Do all that. During this drive, we should plan the visit to your father. You’re already on the prison’s approved visitors list for him. We’ve asked his attorney to request your visit so it can be approved. I’ll be taking you.”
“Right. So, is this happening today?”
“No, you should do classes and work. We want the visit to go through normal procedures. They have rules at Bennettsville. Inmates request approval for a visit several hours ahead of one. We don’t want someone on the inside to tip Rafa. It’s going to be odd enough that you’re visiting your father for the first time. He’s been in there for a while and never had a visitor.”
Guilt pricks me with a thousand tiny pins. “I want to get this over with.”
“We can’t rush it. We don’t want to spook anyone since we need to keep you safe.”
“Until you get the code.”
“No. I said I was trying to protect you. I wasn’t feeding you a line. The US government wants you safe. Getting the code and evidence against Rafa is a bonus.”
“You are so full of it. The government wants the code. Period.” After a pause, I add, “I have a morning lab.”
“I know,” he says without missing a beat. He drives as if he takes this route every day. “I’ll pick you up here at 9:30.”
“Great. If Rafa’s watching me, won’t he wonder why you’re playing chauffeur today?”
“No. We’re dating now, and I have classes too. Remember?”
“I hope you fail them all.”
He pulls to the curb and I get out, walking quickly to class without a backward glance.
Toby picks me up on schedule and I recognize the route he takes immediately. “Why are we going to your house?”
“So Rafa’s guy can see you go inside with me. You’ve only been home with me once, when you helped with Diesel. It’s going to be difficult to pull off the boyfriend thing unless we set it up a little better.”
“Why does it matter?”
“Quit acting like this. I understand you’re scared and—”
“You ruined my life with one careless act. Why did you text me this morning? I would’ve taken care of it.”
He drives, giving no response for so long I wonder if he’s going to answer. Turning his gaze from the road, he says, “Sorry. Had to. You realize Rafa knows you were with Dylan last night. Unless you want that guy to end up with more than hurt pride, it’s for the best. If you don’t give Rafa what he wants, he may get antsy and use the people you care about as pawns.”
Soon, we’re at Toby’s house. I follow him wordlessly to the door and inside. Diesel immediately rises from a large dog bed near the sofa. He’s thicker than when I saw him last.
“Hey, boy. How are you?” I take off my glove and bend down to rub the top of his square head.
“Your girlfriend has finally come to visit,” Toby coos to his dog. “Make yourself at home,” he says to me.
I obey, taking off my coat and placing it across the back of the sofa. “Come here, Diesel. Tell me what’s been going on with you. Has Mr. Toby trained you to be a spy dog yet?” The cushions of the worn sofa give under Diesel’s weight when he hops onto one side.
Giving in, I sit beside Diesel and allow the dog to place his head on my knees. Toby disappears from the room but soon reenters with a bottled water that he hands to me. He takes off his knit cap and sits in a chair near us.