Page 73 of Crossing the Line
Even though his poker face might be hiding something, I believe him.
“Do you think Grandmother and Grandfather were in love?”
“No,” he says without pause.
I’m so flabbergasted by his reply that I almost drop my coffee. “You don’t?”
“No, Paisley.” He shifts abruptly to circle his shoulders like he’s uncomfortable. “Marriage isn’t always about love. It’s about partnership. They had a partnership and an understanding. But is that why you upended your life? Because you learned that our grandparents didn’t love each other?”
Yes. “No,” I protest too much.
The way he’s looking at me. He doesn’t believe me.
“I just…” I squeeze my eyes shut, searching for the right words. I open my eyes again. “I think for me, TRANSPOT was an illusion that I talked myself into chasing because it made me feel closer to Grandfather. If I could keep the one thing that he believed in alive, then I could keep him alive as the greatest person God ever made. And everybody loved him, especially Grandmother.”
“Pais? He lived in New York. She lived in Africa.”
“But they would spend time together when they weren’t working. You know, visit each other…?” It was more of a question than a statement.
“No, they didn’t.”
I’m shocked by how candid he’s being about our grandparents’ relationship. A weird sensation ripples through me, and my head feels heavy.
“Furthermore, TRANSPOT is not an illusion. We’ve made serious progress. I’m going to tell you this because I trust that you are loyal to our family first.”
My lips are parted. I should stop him from saying whatever he’s about to say. It’s a ploy. It’s his game plan. Max is luring me back into our secret world. I’m shaking my head, though.
“My team has discovered NZNN light.” There are only a few things in existence that can make Max smile that way, and discovering NZNN light is one of them. “Grandfather said the energy source exists, and it does.” Max is reading my face as though it’s the morning newspaper.
My heart is beating like crazy. I wish he’d never told me. NZNN light is negative-zero non-nomenclature light. I wish I didn’t believe him either. I wish he was a person who couldn’t be believed. But Max has never lied to me and probably never will.
“How?” I say past my tight throat.
“Our team of physicists discovered it. But we need you to figure out how to program software that will allow us to capture the source and harness it.”
My insides cringe. My heart wants to grow feet and run far away from what he’s not-so-directly asking me to do. I’m not ready. Especially after last Friday’s hearing. I will not perpetuate this silly feud between the Lords and Groves. The time has come to bring it to an end.
I have an idea. “Ask me after you and Achilles figure out how to come to a satisfying settlement for TRANSPOT without you lying to him. For now, I’m pursuing other goals.” I bite into my sandwich, hoping Max won’t ask me what goals I’m pursuing. My plans are quite arbitrary. I’ll finish decorating my house and then figure out how to get over Hercules for good. Some traveling might be involved. I should go see Grandmother in Botswana soon.
Max eyes me studiously as I chew without tasting. I haven’t been enjoying the sandwich. I’m too anxious, although I don’t let it show. I’m waiting to hear the million-dollar question.
Instead, Max stands and smooths the cloth of his pristine black dress pants. “I’ll be in touch.”
I’m going to burst. What a way to maintain the upper hand. I could insist he choose the resolution I suggested. Peace with the Lords over TRANSPOT is the only way I’ll work on the project. But there’s no need to hammer it home. Max understands it already.
“Okay.” I hold up my barely eaten sandwich. “Thanks for coming by and bringing this.”
“You’re welcome, Pais.” He nods graciously and heads to the door.
“Max,” I say abruptly.
He faces me. His curious eyes let me know he’s ready to hear whatever I have to say.
“Why did you reassign Ru?”
His eyes hold signs of him being amused. “For two reasons. First, she needs a security clearance to assist you on TRANSPOT. Second, I knew you weren’t going to show up, and as far as I know, she still needs a job.” He folds his arms and widens his stance. No one can assume the power stance like my brother can. “But listen, Paisley. I won’t promise you any sort of reconciliation with the Lords. You’re attached to Hercules Lord at the moment. But he’s getting married soon.” He winks.
I’m stunned into silence as I watch him coolly turn away from me and saunter out of my apartment.What does he mean by “getting married soon”?I know Max better than I know anyone else on the face of the earth. He sounds like he knows something about Hercules that I don’t know.
