"Shit, how the hell are they not gonna send someone after us? We just took one of their fuckin' patients and left!"
"Will you lower your voice you idiot?! No one's gonna question us because I'm a genius. As soon as I saw that she was being transferred I made a few...changes. And besides, we were with Carlos and the entire state knows not to get on his bad side."
"Still!" Yoyo paces back and forth with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, "It just doesn't seem like enough. There are so many things that could go wrong! One fuck up and it's all over for us!"
"Then we won't fuck up! Now stop stressing and take a breath. Carlos said he'll be here soon...I'm sure he has some kinda plan."
***
"Goddamnit Nando, I have no idea what I'm gonna do."
"Well, if it helps, I got everything underway for the meeting..."
"That reminds me, what did you need when you called earlier? I know I cut you off but I'd like to know why I'm still funding you if you've completed everything."
He looks straight ahead and holds on tightly to the steering wheel. "Oh. That. Well you see, Lina had wanted-"
"Ahh, so it was her who wanted more money?" I shake my head. "Whatever, let's just forget about it, I honestly don't care."
When we arrive at the house, Dee and Yoyo seem to be have some kind of altercation. She's talking with her hands and Yoyo has his fist balled. "And she says we fight too much." I roll my eyes and head over towards them. "Looks like you two are getting along well." They both stop arguing and look at me.
"What the hell took so long?" Dee scolds me and for some reason I feel bad. Like I've done something wrong.
"I- I got a little held up." I nudge Nando's shoulder with my elbow. "Tell her man."
"Mr. Martinez was in fact in a meeting before we came here. It ran a bit late but I assure you that we came as quickly as we could." She squints her eyes at him then glances at me.
"Fine. Yoyo, can you explain everything to him while I speak to Carlos?"
"Alone?"
"Yes alone, dumbass."
He rolls his eyes and murmurs 'bitch' under his breath before leading Nando inside. "Right this way half pint."
"Half pint?! How dare you?!" Nando marches after Yoyo as they enter the house. I focus my attention back to Dee and see that she's definitely checking me out.
"See something you like Butterfly?"
She snickers, "Did you change your clothes?"
"Yeah, you wanna see me make em disappear?"
"Shut up." She playfully hits my arm. "But uh, I did need to speak with you...I uh, I wanted to tell you that I'm going away for a while." She look at me with a sad smile and I feel my heart sink.
"Going away?"
"Yeah, it's Keisha. She's moving back home and she wants me do with her..."
"What are you saying Butterfly?" My heart races as she looks down at her feet.
"I'm saying that you won't see me for a few weeks. I know that I just started working for you and I'm probably risking my job but Kei's like family. She's scared out there on her own all the time and it's my fault...The least I could do is be there when she leaves."
"I understand."
She gives me an unexpected hug but I hesitate to hug her back. When I do, she holds me tighter and sighs. I feel her start to loosen up and I let her go. She looks up at me with wide eyes and a wiry smile. "Thank you Carlos...For being so patient with me." She reaches out and touches my face. "I know that I've been giving mixed signals but I don't want a casual hook-up buddy...I want a real relationship and I wasn't sure if you could give me that."
"That's why you asked me to keep my distance. Because you didn't want anything to happen between us and catch feelings...You thought that I'd leave you out to dry?"
"Yeah..." There's a sharp pain in my chest. I feel awful that she thinks so little of me. That I'm that kind of person. "But I know now that I was wrong. You're a good guy Carlos, and you've been nothing but kind to me and for what it's worth, I really am sorry for doubting you and making you wait so long."
I lean in and kiss her. Something I've been wanting to do ever since that day in the control room. Her lips are sweet and soft, she allows me to dominate her mouth as I hold her waist and pull her closer to me. She puts her arms around my neck and pulls my hair.
"Dee," I pull away from her lips and she gasps. "When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning..."
"Damn. C'mon." I grab her hand and lead her inside the house after Nando and Yoyo. When I find the two of them, they stop talking and stare at Dee and I. Yoyo gets a dumb smile on his face and folds his arms across his chest.
"Well well, looks like-"
"Shut up." I cut him off before he finishes whatever idiotic thing he was going to say. "Nando, you're staying here tonight with him instead of Dee. Keep this one out of trouble and whatever Ms. H needs you get it for her."
He nods. "What if she starts asking questions?"
"Answer them to the best of your ability without saying too much, other than that tell her to ask me directly." I turn to leave, Dee's hand still in mine as she trails behind me.
"Where are we going?" Her voice filled with excitement and curiosity.
"We don't have a lot of time, so no asking questions; it's a surprise." I pull her close to me and a delightful grin lights up her face.
"Hm, I like surprises." Her tongue flicks across lower lip.
"Mhmm, keep that tongue in your mouth, mi mariposa. We might not make it if you keep that up."