Page 13 of Deadly Hacker

“I thought so. Look, Dad is home!” she said brightly, pointing to Max’s SUV in the driveway of their house as they pulled up.

Rad parked behind him and immediately came around to help Grace out of the car. He held her milkshake while she got her footing, then the pair made their way up to the front door. The Bennetts’ property was spacious, with meticulous landscaping and a pool in the back.

It reminded Rad of the neighborhood where he had grown up. Max had all the money in the world to spend on keeping his house clean and sharp, though he didn’t have much time to enjoy it. Rad knew that was partly by design, though; after Grace’s mother, Molly, had moved out, the big house felt empty. Even with Grace there.

Max met them at the door with both phones in hand. He was typing something with one hand, no doubt a business email.

“Gracie! Ah, my sweet girl,” he greeted, putting both phones in his back pockets so he could hug her. “How was class?”

“Awesome! Miss Emma Jean said I’mthisclose to touching my toes,” she said proudly.

“Thanks for picking her up,” Max said to Rad. “Do you have time to come in?”

“Just for a minute,” said Rad, stepping inside. “How’s work?”

Max sighed. “Demanding. So it goes. How about yours?”

“Oh, the same. You know how it is,” said Rad vaguely.

“Daddy, Uncle Rad thinks Miss Emma Jean is damn fine,” Grace interjected.

“Wha—where did you hear that kind of language?” Max spluttered. He looked accusingly at Rad, who laughed, grateful for the change of subject.

“Not from me,” he said, holding up his hands in surrender.

“TV,” she said cheerily. “Anyway, I’m gonna help him get her number.”

“Oh, really?” said Max.

“Uh-huh. Can I go play Barbies on the back porch?”

“Of course, sweetie. Have fun. And be careful!” he called after her. He turned back to Rad, shaking his head. “Do youhaveto hit on the yoga teacher?”

“I was a total gentleman,” Rad said.

“But you did ask for her number.”

“If it helps, she didn’t give it to me.”

Max laughed. “It does help, actually. Emma Jean is a great yoga instructor. I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in Grace’s mobility and mood since starting Little Tykes’ Day. The last thing we need is for her to get kicked out of the class because you broke the teacher’s heart.”

Rad smiled softly. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Like you haven’t done it before. I went to college with you, Rad. I know what you’re like with women. They come and go,” Max said, then froze up. His smile faded. “Although, I guess I don’t have much room to talk. Molly is… well, I think she’s seeing other men.”

Rad patted his friend on the shoulder. “Ithasbeen two years, Max,” he said gently.

Max nodded and sighed. “Yeah. I really fucked that one up, didn’t I?”

“It happens, man. Not every relationship is meant to last forever. Hell, none of mine have lasted more than a week,” Rad replied. “Besides, you’re still doing a fantastic job of co-parenting. That’s most important. Grace is awesome.”

Max smiled again. “She is, isn’t she?”

“Yep. And you get to take at least partial credit for that,” said Rad.

“Ah, the best parts are from Molly, though,” Max said.

He wasn’t totally wrong, but Rad felt bad for his friend. Two years out, and he was no closer to getting over her. Before they could say another word, one of Max’s phones started ringing again.

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