“Do you like working?”
It’s my turn to think ‘huh’. “Yeah. I do.”
“Why? You have enough money to live the rest of your life without working. Why do you still do it?”
Someone has been hacking again, it seems. That intrusion can wait. “Because I love my job. I’m surrounded by delicious food every day and nice people.”
“But people aren’t always nice. And there are problems. Why do you keep doing it? Why not retire and travel the world or lie on a beach somewhere?”
“Is that what you want to do?” This is a serious conversation for a child.
“It doesn’t matter what I want. I’m not going to live long enough to retire.”
WHAT? “Are you sick?”
He shakes his head. “No. Never been sick a day in my life. I don’t even get colds or flus when they come around.”
“Then why do you think you’re going to die?” Is Everett depressed? That happens more often than not to street kids who fight for survival for so long.
“Because I’m like you and Maddox.”
Huh? “Maddox and I are still alive.”
“I know.”
“You’re talking in riddles.”
“I know.” He turns back to staring into space.
“Are you afraid of Max?”
“What? No! Max isn’t going to kill me. I mean, he might have wanted to, but he isn’t. Max seems like a good guy.”
A good guy who wanted to kill you but now doesn’t. Yeah, this conversation is as clear as mud. “Then who are you afraid of?”
“Yesterday I was going to ask you about Wynter.”
Ochs’ kid? “Wynter is a sweet girl.” Sort of. She’s kind of scary, but not in a kill-you sort of way. She was the cutest baby.
“Yeah, she is.”
How does she relate to Everett dying?
“Why is she always working out in the gym like a guy?”
This conversation makes my already tired brain hurt. “Because she likes working out.”
“But she’s not a guy.”
“So? Gender doesn’t decide what you like or don’t like. Guys can like to bake, and girls can enjoy working out.” Ace likes both, and he’s still lethal.
“I know that, but…”
“But what?”
“But she offered to help me train. To bulk up.” He frowns.
A girl who’s stronger than him is offering to train him, and it’s hurting his pride. “Do you know who Wynter’s dad is?”
