Page 17 of Nolan
No, no! That’s not what I meant. Most guys would’ve just pressured me for a racy pic in hopes of getting off. It’s nice to talk to someone who actually just wants to talk to me.
So Mia has dated some losers. Guess I’ll have to make sure that never happens again. What are brothers’ best friends for, if not protecting the little sister?
Except that’s not all I want to do. That protective feeling is just inches away from nearly possessive. Almost jealous. I imagine these idiots in Mia’s inbox, trying to get her attention, saying stupid shit like, I showed you my dick please respond.
If I have anything to do with it, she’ll never deal with any of that bullshit again.
I’m happy to talk to you anytime, any day.
What about in person?
Sure, I just need to get some time off.
Do you like movies?
I do.
What about going to the movies tomorrow? We could catch a show, then walk around and chat until we drop.
I won’t drop. You, on the other hand . . .
She sends laughing emojis.
Fine. Until I drop.
I weigh my options. This could be dangerous. More than that, it could be disrespectful to Apollo. But the opportunity to meet up with Mia is too enticing, and something I can’t resist. I just have to figure out what is going on with me. Why she’s affecting me so much.
I deserve to know what’s changed within me. To better understand it. Then I can tell him, with full confidence, why I’ve fixated on his sister so hard. That I can’t help myself.
What movie were you wanting to see?
Think you could handle a cheesy rom-com?
I’m smiling as I respond to her effortlessly across my optic screen.
I’m more of a scary movie type of guy, but you are definitely worth an endless marathon of cheesy rom-coms.
Aw, now who’s cheesy?
Definitely not me. Not ever. How’s seven sound?
Perfect. I’ll see you then.
It’s not always easy to ask for personal time off. One of the drawbacks of being an android is I don’t technically need to rest. Ever. I just keep going. That’s why New Carnegie has plenty of unrest. Factory drones are taking people’s jobs, and everybody’s pissed about it. It’s hard to blame them. After the bombing at the Humanity First march, it’s getting harder for me to go anywhere without escort.
Technically, as a first responder, I’ve been an exception to the rules that are held over normal bionic assistants. But the rules and regulations are growing tighter. Sometimes, companies take their own initiatives, not even waiting for a new executive order or federal mandate. I can’t walk into grocery stores by myself to pick up anything for Jess or Jess’s mother when I’m invited to their house for dinner and company because of android scanners at the entrances. Similarly, I can’t take certain kinds of public transit, like the New Carnegie subway.
TerraPura is slowly but surely making my life hell, and the government isn’t helping either. As though it’s not enough I could get memory-wiped and used as a weapon, I have to be treated like a potential threat to national security, no matter where I go. I know there are androids that change their eye color so they can at least wander the street freely without worry, but I’m a public figure. I couldn’t be caught in a compromising scenario like that. It could hurt my position within the department. It’s not something I’m willing to risk.
Fortunately, the chief hasn’t benched me and still tries to give me as much autonomy as he can. He adopted a just-like-us mentality when it comes to handling me. With enough notice, I can get days off just like anyone else.
Today is pushing it, but Chief didn’t fuss much when I stopped by his office and asked him. “Give me a little more warning next time—and if anything goes to hell and we need you, you’re still on call.”
“Yes, sir,” I say appreciatively.
Belmont’s public transportation is a little older than New Carnegie’s. There’s a tram that goes back and forth from one station to the inner city, where folks can take then take the subway to wherever they want to go. Within Belmont city limits, though, there’s only buses.
I don’t mind riding the bus. It’s rare I’m in a hurry when I’m off work, so it’s a convenient way to get around Belmont. I’m meeting Mia within the hour.
