Page 69 of Invincible
“They need a higher math and physics teacher.I haven’t taught physics in several years, but it’s like riding a bike,” he answered.
Thayer and Tyler barked out a laugh.He smiled at the shared memories of the hours he had spent after school trying to hammer the basic rules of physics into both of their minds (but isn’t Bernoulli a form of pasta?).
“It’s a science and math academy, so I’ll be teaching upper calculus and freshman physics.”
“You’ll be closer to babysit then,” Memphis said with a smirk.
“Yeah, I don’t do babies.It will be nice to be closer to Mom again though and I guess I could suffer seeing you occasionally.”
“Where does your mom live?”Greer asked.
She had been quiet through most of the meal, only speaking if asked a direct question.It was definitely not like her to be so reserved when usually she would have already picked at least one fight with him.As hard as Tyler had tried, Greer wouldn’t tell her what had happened to make her so sad.She had a sinking suspicion, however, it had something to do with Knox.
“She lives in Kentucky on the outskirts of Louisville in a housing complex of like-minded free spirits,” Knox answered, studying her across the table from him.
Was it not obvious to everyone how they seemed to melt every time their eyes met?Tyler looked over at Thayer, who gave her a shrug.So she wasn’t the only one who saw it.
“Like-minded free spirits?”Greer asked.“That’s an odd description.”
“There’s nothing odd about it if you knew Knox’s mother.She is a serious hippy.We’re talking bohemian clothing, poetry writing, tree hugging, weed smoking, crazy, awesome woman.Dude, I love your mom,” Memphis said.
“So what happened to you, math nerd?”Greer said with a grin slowly spreading over her face.“You had such potential to be really cool, but you just let that ship sail on by, didn’t you?”
“There you are again,” Knox growled with mock consternation.“I thought we had lost you, but welcome back to society with your smart-assed self.”Tyler breathed out a happy sigh when Greer’s grin widened, reaching her eyes.
“And you don’t call me dude.Anything but dude,” he added, pointing at Memphis.
“Prick, douche, dickhead,” Memphis began.
“Keep it up.I’ve already burned down one of your houses, it won’t bother me to do it again.”
Tyler just shook her head.How could two men who had only known each other a year be more like brothers than many others she had observed?You would never guess they weren’t raised together.
“So, when are you heading back to DC?”Knox asked Dex when he had finished glaring at Memphis.
“Actually,” Dex replied, looking tentatively at Tyler.“I was thinking I might hang around here for a while.It seems they could use another agent at the Houston office and I’ve had my eye on this great house that sits on the channel in Seabrook.”She sat staring at him with an open mouth.
“What do you think, gorgeous?Think you can stand having me underfoot for a while?”Tyler felt like the air had been sucked from her lungs.Oddly, though, in a good way.She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more, as a matter of fact.
“I think I can handle that,” she said with a shrug, trying to play it cool.
“I thought we might head to California first while we’re under forced time-out.Think you’d like to hang out with some more obnoxious siblings and learn to surf?”
“You want to take me to meet your family?”she asked, feeling her smile growing even larger.
“Well, I figured it might be the next step before asking you to move in with me.”Wrapping her arms around his neck, Tyler pulled him toward her until their mouths crashed together.
“Hey, take that outside so the rest of us can talk without having to see our breakfast again,” Knox growled at them when the kiss turned into something carnal.
Easing out of the booth, Tyler hugged him before joining Dex to wait outside.They were soon joined by Memphis and Thayer.
“What do you think he’s saying?”Tyler asked, looking back through the windows at where Knox and Greer sat.Her heart ached watching her best friend slumped across from him.How did she deserve to be so happy, so in love, when Greer looked so miserable?
“If I know Knox, I’m sure it’s why they can never be together,” Thayer answered.“Idiot.But I’ve never known him to have a girlfriend.”
“Really?”
“Really.He’s always been a one-and-done man.I guess he likes Greer too much to run that game on her.I asked him once when I was in high school why he wasn’t married.”
