Chapter Twenty One

Five-o-clock came ridiculously fast. Usually around this time I would be rushing to finish as much work as I could before having to leave. And then I'd collect the many files of take home work and wait for Spencer.

But today was different. I was already finished with my work. So when five-o-clock rolled by, the only think I was busy with was watching orange is the new black with Pete. I had no work to take home. All I had to do was shut down my computer and lift up my bag.

"Did you drive or do you want a ride home?" Pete asked as we walked toward the exit.

"I think my boy- husband is picking me up."

"Think?"

"We didn't really discuss it."

"You can't just text him?"

"I don't have a phone."

"You can use mine-"

"There he is."

I smiled when I saw Ryan driving up in our car. He looked like he was wearing a new outfit. But more importantly, he looked happy. He was grinning hard enough to stretch his skin. I waved over at him childishly and he waved back.

"So I'll see you later, neighbor?" Pete patted my shoulder.

I nodded. "See you."

I didn't take my time going down the steps to the building. I heard Ryan unlock the car door as I walked around to the passenger seat. When I sat down, he was no longer smiling. He stepped on the gas. Sending the car dashing ahead. I glanced around in the car and noticed the array of different bags in the back seat.

"So you went shopping."

"Yes."

"Did you find a lot of nice things?"

"Some." He answered in a clipped tone.

"Ryan, are you oka-"

"Who was that?"

"What?"

"Don't what me. You know who I'm talking about. The guy with the tattoos."

"Oh, Pete?"

"That's his name?" He scoffed.

"Yes." I said cautiously. "He's our neighbor."

"He seems friendly."

It was a simple observation. But the usually positive words sounded negative coming from Ryan. I wasn't sure if he'd meant for it to sound like that. Maybe it's just how he spoke.

"He is." I nodded slowly. "He and his husband were planning on stopping by to meet us today."

"Husband?"

"His name is Patrick." I don't know why I felt the need to add the detail. I just felt like Ryan was suddenly accusing me of something. I felt like he was calling me a liar.

"So he's gay?"

"Y-Yeah?"

His hands tightened on the steering wheel but he didn't say anything else. The tense silence was making me uncomfortable. It seemed like he was mad about something. And since I didn't know what that something was, I refrained from speaking. I didn't want to say something and accidentally piss him off.

"I have a surprise for you."

"Do you?"

"Yes." He nodded excitedly.

I smiled. But it was a hesitant smile. If he could go from mad to happy that quickly, I didn't want to see how fast he could go back to mad.

"What is it?"

"Come in the house and see!"

He opened the car door. Practically running for the house. I took my time following after him. But he didn't go in before me. He stood in front of it and waited. Curiosity got the better of me and I sped up. Stopping when I was directly beside him.

"Did you decorate the house?" He shook his head. "Did you cook Dinner?" Another shake. "Then what-"

He opened the door before I could finish my question. "Surprise!"

A small, white dog in a red collar came rushing towards us. I automatically dropped to my knees and held my arms open to it. A giggle escaped my lips as it bounded into my arms. Licking my face sloppily.

"Oh, Ryan." I squealed, standing up with the puppy in my hands. "I love it."

"It's a boy."

"Well I love him." I leaned over to kiss him, but he backed up.

"No No, doggy mouth." He laughed. "I'm going to get started on dinner. Go get the bags from the car."

"Okay!" He walked into the kitchen. I walked to the couch and sat the dog down. "Do you want to watch TV while we unpack?" He barked. I smiled and lifted up the remote to turn it on.

"Twenty-four year old Shelia Frederick was found today near Mayfair park." The picture of a pretty, blonde girl popped up on the screen. "The cause of death is stabbing. Many of the wounds were done post mortem. The knife has not been found. But police-"

I turned the channel. An uneasy feeling bubbled in the pit of my stomach. The theme song to Spongebob Squarepants began playing and I laughed uneasily.

"There you go, boy." I placed the remote down. Noticing how my hand was now shaking. "I'll go get those bags now."