Broken Cheaters by Lacey Silks

the connection I’d felt to this boy since the day I met him, but I loved him as if he were my own.
    It was a few hours later that I woke up to hear Trevor crying. He was sitting at the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes.
    “Baby, what’s the matter? Come here.” I turned on the night lamp and reached for him. “Did you have another nightmare?”
    He nodded.
    “Was the T-rex chasing you again?”
    Trevor sobbed a weak yes .
    “Well, did you show him your teeth?”
    “I did, but he wasn’t scawed.”
    “What about your claw?”
    “He pulled out his claw and it was biggew.”
    “You know what, honey. I have another trick I never told you about. It’s a camouflage blanket. Tomorrow after work, I’ll go get it from my apartment and you can have it. It’s very special because it’s kept me safe from a bad man and it led me to your father, so it’s definitely a good luck charm. We can cover you up and you can hide from the dinosaur. It will make you invisible. Would you like that?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “Okay, now can you close your eyes for me?” He nodded, snuggling back into my body.
    “Will you stay with me?”
    “I won’t leave. I promise.” I hugged him tightly, securing his body in my arms, radiating calmness from me to him. This moment felt more right than any other did. His head was on my chest as he listened to the beating of my heart. I saw his eyes slowly close as he drifted off with a smile on his face. I wanted to be there and protect Trevor from all his nightmares, from future troubles, bullies, and broken hearts. It felt surreal.
    When he woke up in the morning, he didn’t remember getting up at night. When Beth arrived, we said our goodbyes, and I told him I’d have a surprise for him after work.
    The day was overcast and the first of the many that I was grateful I didn’t have to take the bus to get to work; instead, Axel’s luxury limo was waiting for me at the front door, as it had been every day.
    I shook my head. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I wasn’t supposed to be enjoying all of the comforts of Axel’s life. It wasn’t right. Yet I still got in the limo. My chest squeezed with pain as if arguing with me.
    Working for Olivier was a blessing as well. I thought I’d get star struck, but I never did. In fact, Olivier praised me for my professionalism and hard work — which honestly wasn’t that difficult at all. After the first two days, I had memorized the menu. I made sure to come in before my shift to go over the specialties for the day, put on the uniform, and familiarize myself with the reservations and any clients’ specific needs or preferences. One of the waitresses had called in sick that day, so we all divided her work area among ourselves. By the time the afternoon break rolled around, I realized I’d missed lunch.
    My phone buzzed. “Hello?”
    “How is my favorite waitress doing?”
    “Axel? Hi! It’s so good to hear your voice.”
    “It sounds like you’re having one of those days.”
    “How did you know?”
    “Need a break?”
    “Yeah, I was about to go on one.”
    “Do me a favor?” He didn’t wait for me to reply. “Step outside and get in the limo. Don’t ask any questions.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I need some time alone with you.”
    “What time is it over there?”
    “I’m six hours ahead of you. It’s nine in the evening, and I’m wishing you were with me at this hotel.” His voice deepened with need. “Beds this big aren’t meant for one person. I keep searching for you with my hand at night, and you’re not there.”
    Swoon! My heart was doing that funny dance again, inadvertently lifting the corners of my mouth.
    I entered the limo and closed the door. The partition between the driver and me was up.
    “Okay, I’m in the limo. Now what?”
    “What are you wearing?”
    “Am I going somewhere? Because it’s a busy work day.” Knowing Axel, he could have arranged a day off for me with Olivier and not told me.