Boy? She was still acting as if I was a teenager and had a crush on the quarterback. It was annoying. Picking a fight over it was a lost cause, however. It was better to let it go than engage.
“I had one of those author events last night,” I said, barreling forward and ignoring her comment. “I took my scooter. When I left, I found somebody had slashed the tires.”
Well,thathad Mom’s full attention. She was rarely serious, but she was at that moment. “Do you think it was done purposely to you, or was it general mischief?”
The bulk of my childhood had been spent in neighborhoods where “general mischief” was part of day-to-day life.
“I honestly don’t know.” I shook my head. “I’ve been having an issue with a guy showing up at the events and trying to talk to me.”
“Aren’t readers supposed to show up and talk to you?”
“Yes, but this guy … there’s something off about him.” I sipped my coffee. “Do you remember that apartment we had that was near the train tracks? There was a guy who lived in one of the basement units. Reggie Lancaster, I think his name was.”
Mom didn’t smile. “I remember him. He’s the reason we moved.”
I bobbed my head. “Yeah. I know. I get the same vibe from Joey that I got from him. He hasn’t done anything overt. There’s just something wrong with him.”
“Are you worried he’s stalking you?”
“I don’t know what I’m worried about specifically.” That was the truth. “I just know I’m worried overall. I want you to keep your eyes open for any strange guy you might see out in this area. I don’t know how he would track down where I live, but I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“It’s not hard to find where people live. What’s he look like?”
I described him for her.
“I’ll watch for him,” Mom promised.
“Make sure you lock the door when you leave too,” I said. “Just to be on the safe side.”
“I don’t plan on being here today. I’m going to a museum with Rufus.” Mom’s smile was full of happiness. It would disappear sooner rather than later. But I didn’t pop her giddiness balloon, despite being a realist.
“Just make sure you lock the doors, okay?”
She nodded. “Are you and Brody dating now?” she called to my back as I headed toward my bedroom.
“We’re just hanging out.” It was a lie, but she would be gone relatively soon. She didn’t need to know the truth, especially when I didn’t know it myself. “I have to get ready. I’ll see you later.”
BRODY TOOK US TO ONE OF HIS FAVORITEbreakfast spots, where he found out I was a creature of habit when it came to ordering.
“Wait… you don’t get any other breakfast than that?” His eyes danced as he watched me dunk my whole wheat toast in egg yolk.
“It’s not a big deal,” I argued.
He didn’t look convinced. “You just said you haven’t had another breakfast in thirty years.”
“Not thirty years.” I wrinkled my nose. “That would mean I was eating this breakfast when I was in my mother’s womb.”
Now it was his turn to make a face. “Oh, did you have to say womb? My head just went to a freaky place.”
I laughed so hard several people at nearby tables jerked their eyes in our direction. I ignored them. “I’m just saying I know what I like.”
As he forked a mouthful of blueberry pancakes and ate it, his eyes narrowed. Once he’d swallowed, he started talking again. “So, every breakfast you’ve eaten since you were a teenager has been the same.”
When he said it like that, it sounded crazy. It also wasn’t exactly correct. “No. I eat breakfast at home, and I rarely cook eggs. Well, actually that’s not true.” I shook my head after a beat. “I’m a big fan of those green bags of already shredded hash browns. When I find those at the market, I always get them and some eggs so I can cook for myself at home.”
“Those hash browns are amazing,” he agreed. “So much better than the frozen ones.”
“Right?” I nodded. “I also eat cereal at home.”
