Page 51 of Heathens

“I don’t know,” Theo sighs, “but for once in your life, you need to sit down and think before you do something stupid.”

I groan as he stands and struts toward a mirror to take a look at the damage on his neck.

“Jesus, I’m gonna need to wear a fuckin’ turtleneck. Look at me! I look like Ichabod Crane!”

I can’t help but grin.

“At least you’ve still got your head.”

DOMINIC

Duncan Towers

“Yougotaplan?You’ve been awfully quiet since we got up.”

Theo’s been on my back even more than usual lately, and the ride over to Nox has been no exception. I know he’s just looking out for me, but it’s been getting on my nerves.

“Best plan of all time: I’m gonna ask her to dinner.”

He scoffs.

“You’re kidding.”

“The way she was looking at me last night, there’s no chance she says no. Then, when she’s on my turf, she’s playing by my rules.”

He looks at me like I have two heads.

“How arrogant are you, honestly? This is the dumbest plan you’ve ever come up with!”

“Blow me, you shitbag,” I mutter.

“It’s too passive! How the hell are you going to make her trust you? Your dick isn’t a magic wand, Gandalf.”

“Gandalf didn’t have a wand, he had a staff, you idiot. Did you even read the book?”

“Prick,” he mutters.

“That’s a no, then. And you didn’t hear the rest of the plan, you’re always jumping to conclusions.”

“Oh, soask her out to dinner and hope she really, really likes mewasn’t the whole thing? Good to know.”

“I’m going to find out why Rene knows so much about her, andwhathe knows. If she’s useful to him, she’s useful to us. I called Mateo while you were asleep to bring over some tranquilizers–”

“Oh, it just keeps getting better,” Theo grumbles as he focuses on the road and grips the steering wheel a little harder. “What’s next? Hold her hostage?”

“Hey, that’s exactly it,” I reply. “Good anticipation.”

“Okay, great, thank you for explaining the extra steps. It really is your finest work. True genius.”

Theo parks near the curb and kills the engine, checking himself in the mirror.

“Hey, does this outfit look stupid?” He asks.

I give him a quick glance up and down.

“Well, it’s a really nice scarf,” I grin. “That said, I think adding it on top of the turtleneck,withthe leather jacket might be your problem.”

He groans, slamming his head back against the seat.

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