“I will.”
Scotty came into the kitchen and went straight for the fridge to grab a bottle of the red Gatorade they kept on hand for him. He wore baseball pants with dirty knees and his team ballcap on backward. “You two are looking better. Did the cooties clear up?”
“We didn’t have cooties,” Aubrey said indignantly. “We had strep.”
“Same thing,” Scotty said, making a grossed-out face.
“Are you still feeling okay, buddy?” Nick asked.
“I’m fine, but if I timed my exposure right, I should be in line for a sick day tomorrow.”
Nick and Brenda laughed. “Nice try.”
“Strep is highly contagious, you know.”
“And you’re robustly healthy, according to Harry.”
“You’re raising a con man, Nick,” Brenda said.
“I’m beginning to think you’re right.”
“If a guy isn’t smart enough, he’s a loser. If he’s too smart, he’s a con man. You can’t win in this world.”
“Take a walk with me,” Nick said.
“Uh-oh. That sounds ominous.”
“Nothing like that.”
Scotty glanced at Brenda. “Send help if I don’t come back.”
“Will do.”
He brought the Gatorade with him when he joined Nick in the hallway. “What’s up? Is Ethan okay?”
“He’s resting at home. I’m sure he’s processing everything that’s happened. Did you hear the news about Luna?”
“I did. It’s so horrible. Do they know who killed her?”
“I think so, and Mom’s team is working on making sure they’re charged.”
“All my friends are talking about it.”
“What’re they saying?”
“Just that no one’s safe anymore, even kids. They know Ethan is my cousin, so they’ve had questions. But don’t worry, I haven’t said anything private. I wouldn’t do that to them.”
“Thank you for being protective of them.”
“They’re our family.”
“That’s right.” Nick led him into the suite he shared with Sam, shut the door and sat next to him on the sofa. “I wanted to ask you if you’ve ever heard of an incel.”
“Oh yeah. Those are guys that can’t get girls.”
Nick was shocked to hear Scotty knew the term and what it meant. “And that’s something kids talk about?”
“It’s one of the things they like to say when they’re talking shit about their friends. No one takes it seriously, though. None of us can get girls at our age.”
