Page 247 of The Sidekick

I’ve been thinking about it nonstop since I first saw him.

Silent, solemn, and still.

I wonder if he’s like me. Or does he have feelings? From what I’ve seen he doesn’t. I emote more than he has.

I don’t think I’ve ever met someone like me before. If I have, odds are they fully developed a system for faking emotion. I stopped doing that a while ago. There’s no point in pretending to be a normal person when you don’t know what it’s like and you don’t want to. They’re all too weak and vulnerable to me. Who has the patience to fake that all day, every day? Not me.

I lean back against the wall of the building hiding me from his view to wait with him. Not really with him, just alongside him without his knowledge. He hasn’t noticed me following him. Tera said he wouldn’t because he’s had his heart broken.

Who would be dumb enough to throw away the perfect little statue in front of me?

This doesn’t look like a broken man. His face has been expressionless every time I’ve seen him. I don’t get close enough to see his eyes but I’m pretty sure they’re dead inside.

I want to see him up close. To know him. Rare for me but it happens. I wonder if he would run? Does a statue know when it’s in danger of being knocked off its pedestal and stolen?

A white SUV comes bumping up and slides to a stop several parking spaces away from him. He still hasn’t moved.

Does he want this meeting or not?

Tera said he would be most vulnerable now and to stick close.

He looks like he’s made of stone. No vulnerabilities here.

Four guys get out and walk over to him. They all have winning smiles with perfect teeth. Why does everyone in this town look so fake? I noticed it the last time I was here. A year ago now? They all seem like plastic people. It’s weird. Coming from me, that’s saying something.

“We’re glad you decided to meet us,” one of them calls out. He’s walking in the front with the big bruiser next to him. Ira and Brody from the descriptions I was given. The twins are behind them, muttering to each other. They’re turned so I can’t read their lips. Felix and Blaze. Who cares which one is which.

Tera’s big bro Shade doesn’t say a word. He looks as stiff as a bad mannequin. It’s a subtle shift from the statue of a second ago.

If I didn’t know better, I would think he was scared. From everything I’ve seen this guy is too emotionally frozen for that. How he and Tera are so close is a mystery to me. Then again, she’s friends with me, too.

“We’ve been given an assignment out of town,” Ira continues. I can barely hear his voice from this distance but I have their lips lined up so I can read them easily. As long as they don’t twist around too much.

“You have a decision to make.” Brody crosses his arms more as an intimidation than defense. I thought Tera said these guys worked together for years? They act like her big bro is an enemy.

Shade’s head tilts like he’s questioning them without opening his mouth. A man of few words. I like that but I want to hear him speak more. What does he sound like?

“You can come with us or you can stay here with your little Tera,” one of the twins says and my eyes narrow on him. The differences between the two of them are hard to spot but he’s making me take notes right now. Wouldn’t want to hurt the wrong one, would I?

“How is that going by the way?” the other twin asks casually but his smug grin is slimy. “I heard she kicked you to the curb for the other three guys. You doing ok with that?”

“She’s a sister to me. I’ve told you that several times.”

His voice is mellow like cognac with a bit of bite to it. I want more. His disinterest is a little odd considering he’s dating them. Where is the heartfelt conversation Tera was sure would happen?

“Right,” twin two nods but the mocking look on his face makes his agreement a lie.

“Well, it’s her or us,” Ira holds his arms out like he’s waiting for a hug.

Don’t do it.

Be good and stay with Tera.

Stay in my sight.

And get rid of these assholes before I do.

“What about Andi?”

---