Page 34 of Her Brother's Keeper

“Should have got ‘im by the ear, showed him who's boss.”

“Um, I’d rather he not be put into foster care,” I said laughing uncomfortably.

Archer grunted, “I can agree with you there. Pop the hood for me, Jailbait.”

I blushed at the awful nickname and did as he asked. He pulled a jumper box out of his saddlebag and went to the front of my car, lifting the hood and hooking it to my battery with the giant clips.

“Turn it over,” he ordered and I did, the car was sluggish but kicked over.

I got out, “Thank you so –”

“Maren, are you alright?” I turned to Mr. Hunter, our school’s vice principal making his way towards me.

“She’s fine,” Archer declared, dropping the hood with a clang. He picked up the jumper box and put the clips back into their housing.

“If it’s all the same, I would like to hear as much from my student.”

“I’m fine, Mr. Hunter. Archer is a friend,” I said.

“How do you know each other exactly?”

“She doesn’t know me, she knows my little brother.”

“Ah,” Mr. Hunter looked relieved, and I let him assume, which clearly he did, that Archer’s little brother was my age. I felt myself blushing hotly, but I could probably get away with him assuming it was just the cold.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” I told Archer and he gave a sharp nod.

“No problem, I do anything for my brothers, but you know that already I’m guessing.”

“I do,” I said and smiled.

“How long is it to your place?” Archer asked, Mr. Hunter standing by and watching the exchange. Archer put the jumper box back into his saddlebag and closed it up, buckling it tight.

“About five minutes or so.”

“Ideally you should drive it for thirty to make sure the battery is fully charged,” he straightened and pulled on his wallet chain, bringing the rectangle of battered leather out of his back pocket. He opened up his wallet and pulled out a twenty, “Take the kid to his favorite fast food place for dinner tonight; that ought to do it.”

“Oh that’s too much, I can’t…”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, folding my fingers around the crumpled bill. “My wife would have my balls if I let your car die on you again and I’ll wring the twenty outta Nox.”

“Then I will be sure to pay him back,” I said laughing softly.

“Do whatever you’re gonna do, just make sure that thing runs for a good half hour before you shut it off for me.”

“I’ll do that.”

I took the money and he got back on his bike, “Satisfied I’m not a chi-mo now?” he asked my vice principal.

Mr. Hunter frowned, and Archer laughed, “See you around, Jailbait.”

I colored at the nickname and nodded faintly, “See you later,” I said and he pulled up the scarf around his face and rode off. Mr. Hunter rounded on me, concern written all over his face.

“Maren, that was a Sacred Heart,” he said and I nodded.

“I know what you’re going to say,” I started, but he cut me off, saying it already.

“Do you know what kind of a reputation they have around here?” he asked.

---