CRYPTO: Infidelity (Book 1)

CHAPTER 76: SCHEDULE

The next day as I left to go to work, I couldn't find my apartment key anywhere. Luckily, I had a spare.

I had taken a taxi to get my car the previous day so I wouldn't be late to work. I told my new partner I had food poisoning so I wasn't contagious. I didn't want to miss another day.

I no longer had Sundays off so I wasn't able to talk to Spiney at the Catholic church which was a bummer, but at the same time, I was glad I didn't have to go back to that place.

After my shift was over, I decided to text Birdie. We hadn't talked since I confessed my love to her. I was hoping she would call me when she had the chance so I wouldn't have to risk Rockie seeing me try to get in contact with her. I just sent her a bird emoji just to be safe.

Birdie sent a question mark.

I texted: Call me?

Soon, I got a call from her. "Hey, Crypto," she said. She sounded cheerful.

"Hi. Are you alone?" I asked.

"I'm at the grocery store."

"I mean, is Rockie with you?"

"I wouldn't have called if he was," she said. "So what's up with the bird emoji?"

"I just wanted to be safe in case Rockie saw."

"Oh. That can be like our secret code."

"To call?" I asked.

"Yeah, and I'll send a dog emoji if I'm not available."

"It might be better if you don't respond at all," I said.

"Okay. So what's up?"

"I was just missing you," I said.

"Are you home?"

"Yeah. I just got off work."

"Want me to come over?"

"Yeah, that would be awesome!"

She giggled. "Okay. I just gotta pay for my groceries. See you soon!"

"See ya," I said.

When she got to the apartment, I helped her carry in her groceries since some of them needed to be refrigerated.

"So what were you guys doing Friday night?"

"We just went to a bar," I said. "Well, two actually. The first one didn't turn out since there was a street preacher just outside condemning everyone for drinking."

Birdie rolled her eyes. "Some animals are so judgmental. Makes me sick!"

"Yeah, but the second bar was better. We had cocktails."

"You drank? I thought you were underaged."

"Yeah, but Rockie shared with me. That doesn't bother you, does it?"

"No. Not at all. I just didn't think they would serve you," she said. "...You were out pretty late... I missed you."

"You did? How come you didn't call me?"

"I would have if you weren't with Rockie."

"I know, but you could've called me any other time."

"I didn't want to bother you."

"Bother me? It's not possible for you to bother me. I'd be happy to talk to you any time."

"What about when you're working?"

"Well, I can't talk on the phone when I'm working, but I'm available any other time."

"I don't know your schedule."

"Oh. My bad. I'll send you a picture of my schedule for the week when I can."

Birdie smiled. "Great! That will be very helpful. Do you, um, work night shifts often?"

"It depends. My schedule is always changing."

"Well, it would be nice if you could keep me company when Rockie is out late. He's gone a lot at night."

"Yeah. I would like that."

She smiled. "Good. I'll come here then. When you're available."