Page 81 of Ezra
I glance at him from the passenger seat. “That’s another dollar in the swear jar.”
“Goddammit.”
“Two dollars.” I stretch my legs forward, idly scanning my systems. Everything’s operating normal, according to my visual feed. “You disapprove?”
“Not at all,” Deion says. “I think it’s hilarious. You realize her father’s gonna flip, right?”
“Maybe not as much as you’d think,” I reply calmly. “We crossed paths last night.”
“Jesus,” Deion mutters under his breath, but his smile never leaves his face. “That had to have been quite a scene.”
“It was uncomfortable, but it wasn’t volatile.”
“Well, it shouldn’t be, if he really is the guy who cooked up your design. Can’t exactly blame him for feuding with Schroeder, taking the credit for you.” He chuckles. “Sorry you had to deal with that. I shouldn’t laugh, but . . .”
“You hate the guy,” I finish for him, all too aware.
“I really can’t fucking stand him. So obnoxious.” He glances at me. His hair is starting to gray, and there’s a weariness to his face, in the wrinkles of his brow and the pronounced dimples of his familiar grin. The ACU and its responsibilities have weighed on my brother for a long time now, and that burden is beginning to show.
I like the way he speaks in his personable, easy manner. He’s always relaxed his speech around me, been able to behimself and as candid as he likes when it’s just us. Though I’ve never outwardly voiced my appreciation for it, it’s something my gratification drive feeds on quite regularly.
If Deion can tell me his thoughts, if he fully trusts me, then I’m doing what I was made for.
“Let me ask you something, though. Why this girl? Outta all the girls you’ve shown any interest in, why her?”
“Why is it so surprising?”
“Come on, you know why. Probably had everything handed to her on a silver platter with Carson as her old man. Not sure if she’s the type to settle down around here. Not like my Rashelle.”
“I can’t comment on settling down,” I reply. “It’s too soon. For her and me. But I understand what you mean. Her career’s going to take her international, eventually.”
“So there may not be any point to this?” Deion asks.
“I didn’t think so at first. But it’s possible I’m wrong. She’s shown an active interest in me.”
“Which is crazy, considering she’s Humanity First’s sweetheart,” Deion remarks. “I will say, the way she handled herself in that meeting impressed me. You gotta hand it to her, she knows how to hold her own. What was it really like while Jacobs had you babysitting her?”
I fold my arms as our cruiser continues smoothly down the street. “She showed another side during our short time together.”
“What kinda side?”
“Passionate,” I reply.
“Oh.” Deion’s tone is knowing, teasing. “Passionate.”
“Get your head out of the gutter.”
“Nah, I like it there.”
“It wasn’t like that,” I say with a look, suppressing the sudden burst of intimate video replays that threaten to clutter my feed.Damn my grat drive. Not now.“I think she understands herfather’s in the wrong. She has her own opinions, ambitions, and she truly cares about people.”
“Nobody can disagree with you there,” Washington says. “I almost wish she ran the whole thing instead of her old man. Humanity First might make a little more sense and stop causing so much trouble.”
I keep quiet on that count, remembering Katrina’s words. “That’d be something, wouldn’t it?”
“Still can’t believe we managed to convince Commissioner Winters to be on board with a pancake fundraiser it, considering how much he hates you. Any time you’re showcased, he throws some kind of tantrum.”
“Oh, I’m well aware,” I say dryly.
