Page 95 of Space Junk: Houston, We Have a Hottie
“Good luck, sugar,” Trish sings before she and Rose drive off.
I stand there watching the truck disappear down NASA Road 1, not blinking. Slowly, everything starts sinking in. Making sense. Giving me hope. Jumpstarting my legs.
I run back to the Corvette, unlock the door, and jump behind the wheel. Flynn had rebuilt this car with love, that much is obvious. Everything looks right off the assembly line, but I know he must’ve had to overhaul it. The altimeter gauges alone are custom made. This took time. Hehadto have still been working on it since his ultimatum. And if that’s true, maybe Rose is right. Maybe wearen’tover. Maybe my dream of having the career I’ve worked so hard for can also involve a sexy mechanic waiting at home for me when I come back from orbit.
I run my hands over the black leather seats and then curl them around the wheel before focusing on the problem at hand.
I don’t know how to drive stick.
Twenty-Seven
Demodulation
Flynn
I’ve always loved staringout the window overlooking the expanse of grazing land that’s been in the West family for generations. A lot of that land is now overrun with oil machinery, but you can’t see it from this vantage point.
An egret swoops down toward the pond, the water rippling out from its landing. Yeah, I love this ranch. Though it’s been a long time since I’ve been back.
Holt bangs around in the kitchen making coffee. Or tar that he likes to label coffee. Seeing as my brother’s coffee helped me shake off the worst of my hangover, I shouldn’t complain.
It meant a lot that Holt asked me to come visit after he helped me drop Jackie’s car off last night. Even if I know it’s probably more to keep an eye on me than anything. And seeing as working nonstop for days to finish up Jackie’s ‘vette had taken a lot out of me, I’m glad for the rest.
I glance over at Holt through the cutout between the living room and family room, still amazed at the lack of resentment I feel toward him.
Holt burns himself on the pot, waving his fingers in the air. “Shoot.”
I smile at his ladylike expletive and flop down hard on the couch.
“Damn it, Flynn, why can’t you sit on a couch like a normal person?” He carries two mugs into the living room. “You break it, you buy it.”
Yeah, my older brother missed me. “Yes, ma’am,” I say with a mock salute.
“Idiot.” Holt hands me the mug and sits on the nearby recliner.
I take a sip of my coffee and sputter. “Jesus, Holt. Warn a guy the next time you make the coffee Irish, will you?”
“You were damn near drowning in it last night, didn’t think you’d notice.” Holt’s lips curl into a smirk. “Thought I’d give you a little hair of the dog. A little whiskey in your coffee today is all you get. I hid the rest of it.”
“Please, like I don’t know all your hiding places.”
Holt just snorts.
I grab the remote before he can and click on the TV. “I’ll probably head back to Clear Lake tomorrow. I’ve got a new rebuild coming—what the?”
“Is that Jackie?” Holt asks.
I don’t answer. I simply sit up and raise the volume. The two headshots, one of Jackie that I’d seen on her NASA ID badge, and one of Brian Hampson from his baseball card, are featured in the top right corner on the screen, while the news station plays a video on the other side.
My hands grip my mug as I watch what I’d only heard about till now play out. Jackie standing up, trying to walk away. Brian grabbing her arm and dragging her around. Shoving her back in her seat.
My vision narrows. I don’t even realize I’m standing until Holt grabs my arm, now dripping with hot coffee.
“I’m going to destroy that son of a bitch.”
Holt pries the now half-empty cup from my hand. “Well, I can definitely see how you’d think you’d need to do that—big man that you are and all—but I think Jackie’s taken care of it.” He gestures to the TV with his free hand.
I refocus on the screen where Brian is now on his knees, his face contorted in pain, while Jackie jerks him around by his index finger. She looks fierce and focused and so goddamn beautiful. Her glasses slip down her nose as she pushes Brian back.
