Page 81 of Space Junk: Houston, We Have a Hottie
“That sounds great,” Brain says. “Thanks for the idea, big man.”
It’s nearly worth seeing Brian again just to witness the look of pure outrage on Sean’s face from being called “big man.”
Nearly.
* * *
I’m sittingacross from Brian, the crusher of my virgin heart, at a table for two.
In a sushi restaurant, that, according to Brian, istheplace to get lunch. Of course Brian would want to eat at a high-profile restaurant.
I don’t even like sushi.
When we left NASA, Brian steered me to his two-seater Audi. The other ballplayers took off to get BBQ. They hadn’t even said good-bye, which I thought was rude until I remembered…Brian. I’m sure he’s pissed people off on his new team already.
When the waiter comes over, Brian orders for both of us without even consulting me.
“So, what have you been up to all these years?” Brian asks. “Besides saving the Space Station and all.”
I would’ve been shocked at his interest if his tone hadn’t been so obviously derisive. I’m suddenly thrown back ten years, sitting in the library, tutoring him in basic math while his buddies snicker from a few shelves down. As if from muscle memory, my shoulders start to roll forward and my eyes dart down to the table top.
“Nothing much,” I say, pissed at myself for being so weak.
“Yeah, I guess in between all that geeky stuff you were always into, there isn’t a lot of time left over for anything fun.” He picks up some sort of bean pod a waiter brought over and starts straining the beans out with his teeth. He continues to talk around his food. “That’s part of why I came. Give you a good time, take you to a few things coming up around town.” He’s gesturing a lot with his hand. The one holding an empty bean pod husk. The green slimy sliver flops back and forth with each motion. “Maybe treat you to some publicity events for the Astros.”
I look at him blankly. He can’t seriously be asking me out. Not after what he did in college. Not without even acknowledging it or apologizing for being such a…. What had Rose called him? Oh. A “legit dick.”
“Figured I’d do you a favor. Take you out of nerd central, let you see how the other half lives. There are a few banquets I should have a date for, and you’d be perfect with all the publicity you’ve been getting lately.”
Wow. Heisserious.
In the past few days I’ve been bombarded with requests from the higher-ups at NASA. From public relations people. From reporters. From Rose and Trish via text. And studiously ignored from the one person I’ve ever loved. All of which I’ve felt completely ill-equipped to deal with. Being ill-equipped does not sit well with me. I’m so very tired of being ill-equipped.
I roll my shoulders back and look Brian square in his pretty, obnoxious face. “No.”
He drops the limp bean pod to pick up his chopsticks. “Yeah, there’s some big shindig in River Oaks later this week, plus a charity ball next weekend. Figured the whole Astro-Astronaut angle will go viral.” He chuckles, apparently amused at his own cleverness. And apparently not listening to me.
“No,” I repeat louder.
Brian’s hand pauses halfway to his mouth, a piece of raw fish falling from his chopsticks. “No?”
“That’s right. No.”
He looks equal parts shocked and confused. Confused, probably because no one has ever turned him down before. Shocked, probably becauseI’mthe one turning him down.
“Oh. My. Gosh.” A teenage girl comes up to our table, practically bouncing on her toes.
Brian smooths his furrowed brow and leans back in his seat, looking her over. Probably assessing whether or not she’s of legal age. “Let me guess, Astro fan?” He sets his chopsticks down. “You want an autograph, right?” He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a Sharpie.
The girl glances at Brian. “Huh?” She looks at me. “You’re Dr. Jackie Darling Lee, aren’t you?”
I blink. Brian’s brow creases again.
I can’t understand why she’d know my name. “Yes.” I draw the word out, unsure of where this is going.
“You are? That issocool.” I blink in surprise as she turns to her family at a table a couple down from ours. “Itisher!”
Brian speaks up. “Look, kid, you want a selfie with me or what? We’re kinda busy here.”
