Page 60 of The Older Brother
I shake my head and hold his gaze.
“She’s a pawn, if anything,” I defend.
“Maybe. Maybe not. But I bet her desk or computer has the key to what investment you need to try to horn in on. So, my advice?”
I lift my chin, not really wanting advice but bracing for it.
“Get in good with Allison Kelly.”
I nod slowly and manage to keep my mouth shut despite the words flashing behind my eyes on a mental billboard.So, don’t sleep with her daughter?
“Anything else I should know before being redeployed?” I snicker at my light joke, but Steve-Mike is unamused. I clear my throat and utter, “Sorry.”
“He’s going to burn you. Your dad. At some point, things are going to get too big for him to contain, and he’s going to set you or your brother, or both of you, up to take the fall. I think you should focus on getting in on his next inside trade and make sure that mic is on anytime you’re close to him.”
His serious expression is punctuated by the straight line of his mouth. I can’t even make fun of his sugar stache anymore because he’s right. I’m fucked. Even if my dad sells me out, I can’t count on the feds to bail me out and blow what’s probably been years of investigative work. They’ll cut me loose too.
“Understood.” I get to my feet, and Mike-Steve does the same. We shake hands, our firm grip on one another holding for an extra second, a little non-verbal acknowledgement that we are both on board.
I cleared most of my morning for this, not expecting our meeting to be so short. Normally, I’d head right back to the garage to drown my worries in motor oil and filters, but I’m notreal hip on hanging out with Mig and Jersey on my own today. Jersey’s having relationship trouble, and he’s the kind of guy who likes advice, and then to kick that same advice around like a soccer ball for hours on end while I’m trapped underneath a vehicle.
What’s one more bad idea?
ME: Need a ride anywhere?
I sit in my car while I wait to find out if I’ll be turning left or right out of this place. When my phone buzzes with Saylor’s response, my arms and legs are instantly fueled by nerve zaps and eager energy.
SAYLOR: I’m at Cami’s and would love not to be.
ME: On my way.
I grin through the short drive, and I’m excited to see Saylor waiting for me by the curb and still wearing that white tank top and flowy shorts she was in at the bar last night when I went out with Jersey. I didn’t get enough time to fully study her, and the way that shirt hugs her body.
“Where to, princess?”
Her brow bunches at my pet name, and I feel a little embarrassed suddenly. Fucking princess? What is going on with me?
“Just trying it out,” I say, clearing my throat and shifting into drive.
“I like it. Just . . . didn’t expect it,” she says.
Yeah. Me neither.
“Do you need to go home for anything? Swim club for work? Shopping?Please don’t say shopping.”
Saylor giggles as she buckles up, instantly kicking her sandals off and folding her legs up in her seat. I love how comfortable she is in my space.
“I don’t need to be at the pool for a few hours. You need a hand at the garage?” She hikes up a shoulder, and there’s a sparkle in her eyes that makes it seem like she’s truly interested in crawling under a car with me.
My eyes crinkle and I grimace, but she’s so damn cute that I exhale and give in a second later.
“Yeah, I could use a hand. But one rule—no asking Jersey about his girlfriend.” I slice through the air with my flat palm.
“Got it. Jersey and the wordgirlfriendare a hard no.”
“HARD no,” I echo.
I rest my turned-up palm on the console, and Saylor folds her hand into mine. Everything about being with her feels easy. At least the physical things. It’s the part where her mom tangles with my father and the fucking pack of wires and microphone under my seat that’s a challenge. But for now, I choose to ignore that part. No red flags to see here. Just a guy who’s starting to really enjoy spending time with a girl. It’s something I didn’t think was for me, given the shitty example my parents set. But so far, being with Saylor does nothing but feel right.
