Page 94 of Toxic Temptation
He abandons his Legos and takes my hand, his palm slightly damp with nerves despite our successful little pep talk. We walk to the circular drive just as Waylen’s silver Volkswagen Beetle putters through the gates.
“That’smy tutor?” Luka stares in awe as Waylen unfolds his tall frame from the tiny car. “He looks like a basketball player.”
“Tell him that. He’ll love it.”
Waylen approaches us with the kind of smile that crinkles his whole face and makes his eyes disappear. The same smile that used to calm me down during Dad’s worst days in the hospital.
“You must be the famous Luka,” he says, crouching down to the boy’s eye level. “I’ve heard amazing things about you.”
Luka’s expression turns skeptical. “What kind of things?”
I watch my brother’s face, curious how he’ll handle this. Luka has been lied to by too many adults. He’s learned to test them. He wants to know,Are you the kind of grownup who says stuff because it’s what you’re supposed to say? Or do you only say what’s true?
Way touches his chin like he’s taking the question completely seriously. “Hm, lemme think. I heard you’re smart and kind. I heard you’re brilliant at science but math makes you want to throw things. I heard you love astronomy and that the planetarium at the science museum is your favorite place in the whole city. I heard you’re quiet because you think a lot, not because you don’t have anything to say.”
Luka’s eyes just keep getting bigger and bigger with every accurate depiction. “Youhaveheard about me.”
“I would never, ever lie to you, Luka. And I hope you’ll never lie to me.”
“Okay.” Luka nods, some of the wariness leaving his small shoulders.
“So,” continues Way, “if you get bored during our lessons, or confused, or tired, you’ll tell me, right? We can take breaks or try something completely different.”
The amazement on Luka’s face breaks my heart a little. Such simple things. Such magical impact. “Really?” he whispers.
“Really.”
Luka looks at me with an expression that clearly says,Is this guy for real?
“I told you he was cool,” I whisper with a grin. “Now, let’s go inside and show Waylen where you’ll have your lessons.”
As we head toward the house, Waylen falls into step beside me, his voice dropping low. “This is where the boss man lives? Bit much for a single guy, don’t you think? What’s he compensating for?”
“He’s not single anymore,” I remind him pointedly. “And he’s trying to make a home for Luka.”
“Still doesn’t explain why you’re all crammed into your tiny apartment most nights like sweaty little sardines.”
“That’s because I need to be close to the hospital.” I can hear the edge creeping into my voice. “You promised to keep an open mind.”
“I am keeping an open mind.”
“By criticizing everything you see?”
“I’m being cautious. There’s a difference.”
I grab his arm, lowering my voice as we climb the stairs. “Kovan’s brother, Pavel, is around somewhere. Can you please not pick a fight in front of the man’s family?”
Waylen sighs. “Fine. I’ll give you one thing: I like the kid.”
“You’ll like Kovan, too. Eventually.”
He shakes his head doubtfully. “No promises. He’s trouble, V. Capital T-R-O-U-B-L-E.”
It doesn’t take long for the magic to blossom.
“I love him!” Luka shouts, racing into the kitchen where I’m sitting with Pavel. Through the doorway, I can see Waylen hunched over their makeshift robot, trying to get it to take a few staggering steps.
“Your brother’s got skills,” Pavel admits, watching as Luka goes scampering back and Waylen shows him how to adjust the robot’s balance. “Robotics on day one? Smart move.”
