Page 20 of The Fall Back Plan
“You’re on,” I say. “For what it’s worth, you were harder to beat than the guy at the state finals.”
“That’s it,” she says. “I’m loyal to you forever now.”
Tina snorts. “Y’all are some nerds.”
“Ignore her,” I advise Sophie. “She can wipe the floor with anyone in music or geography.”
Tina shrugs. “Guilty.”
“I love this!” Sophie gives a little clap. “When can we make this happen?”
I shake my head. “We’re still getting our staff trained, and I’d have to hire the right emcee, so it could be a month at least.”
“An emcee?” Sophie looks thoughtful. “Let me think if I know anyone. In the meantime, I’ll go check our footage for you. Welcome to Maple Street.”
“Thanks,” I say.
She crosses the street, and I turn back to Tina. “Can you turn that off for a minute? Need to talk to you.”
Tina grimaces. “Shouldn’t have called you a nerd. My bad.”
I shake my head. “Not about that.”
I follow her over as she turns off the pressure washer, and suddenly the sounds of birds chirping, the soft hiss of tires on Maple, and distant conversations flood into its absence. “Want to be a puberty fairy with me?”
She gives me a sidelong look I can’t decode, but she steps back and waves me into the Mockingbird ahead of her. “Say more.”
I break it down for her quickly since Brooklyn could show any minute if Lucas talks her into it. Tina is already nodding as I finish. “I have three younger sisters,” she says. “There isn’t a version of this conversation I haven’t had.”
“Thanks, Tina. I think we have to ease into this kind of naturally. Any ideas?”
“Uh, yeah. A really good one. Let’s go back outside.” I follow her out as she calls to Ry, “Hey, boss. Come trade with your cousin.”
“Why?” he and I say at the same time.
She fixes us both with a look. “You want my help or not?”
I sigh. “Yes.” Then I walk toward Ry, who’s heading my way. When we’ve switched places, I call, “Now what?”
Tina flips on the pressure washer and hands the nozzle to Ry. “Payback.” Ry whoops and unleashes the water before I can even run two steps, and it hits me full in the back. I stop and turn, letting him get the rest of me, while I glare at both of them. Ry lets go of the trigger but doesn’t look sorry in the least.
I walk back toward them as Tina flips off the motor again. “What did you do that for?”
“Looks to me like we need to go buy you a change of clothes when your little friend gets here, don’t you think?”
With a glance down at my dripping shirt, I acknowledge she’s right. “Evil genius.”
“It’s for the greater good,” she says in a fake pious voice.
I’ve just wrung the worst of the water out when I spot a hunched figure in a hoodie standing on the sidewalk a few stores down. I smile and wave. “That’s her,” I say quietly to Tina, who nods.
Brooklyn gives me a small wave back. It lacks enthusiasm, but ten is rough, so I don’t take it personally. I beckon for her to come over.
“Your uncle says you need a quiet space to work,” I say when she reaches us. “We’ve got lots of tables to choose from if you don’t mind hanging out with me and Tina.”
“That’s fine.” Her voice is soft, like she doesn’t want to put much energy into it. Or maybe more like she doesn’t like it to draw any notice to her either. “You’re . . .” She trails off and nods at my clothes.
“Soaking wet because my employees don’t respect me?” I roll my eyes. “You’re right. I need to go buy some new clothes really quick. You mind coming with us? I thought we could just walk a couple of blocks over to the Clothes Closet and find something cheap and fast.”
