Holmes nods along, his jawline tightening with each passing second.
Uncle Hopper’s eyes do that crazy thing they do. “…where he fucking lives…”
“…very next thing…”
“…this fucker’s name.Now.”
More furious whispering while Holmes shoots off a series of text messages. Oof. He’s probably texting Uncle Jake to get information on Pierce, which makes me feel sorry for that asshole.
Not.
Holmes tilts his head, scanning me from head to toe. He then tells Boone, “I’ll take Mav upstairs. Hop, you mind driving the good detective home?”
Boone waves him off. “It’s after two. I can get a rideshare.”
Hopper shrugs. “I don’t mind.”
I take off my bracelet and give it to my uncle. “Drive safe.”
He slides on the bracelet and sends me a sweet look. “Will do, nibling.”
I love my uncle.
Turning to Boone, I tap my phone to his. He shakes his head, blushing.
When no one’s looking, he taps my phone back. Now we have each other’s contact information.
Confronting the car, Boone rocks forward, then back, hesitating before getting in on the passenger side.
He wasn’t nervous when it was just me.
Oh right.
I forgot that Hopper’s, like, this world-famous artist, and Boone is, like, his biggest fan.
Maybe I can have Hopper do something nice for him.
Boone and I lock gazes for a few seconds, and he raises his hand in a sort of wave before taking off. I pout, sad to see him go.
Bye, Booney.
“Come inside,” Holmes demands. “Maya’s going to examine you while you tell me why you cut your trip to Switzerland short.”
Great. My doctor cousin and black-ops brother are ganging up on me now.
Ugh. Why does everyone act like I can’t take care of myself?
11
BOONE
Hopper slidesinto the driver’s seat and immediately looks puzzled.
“Something wrong?” I ask, trying not to come out of my skin.Just be cool.
He snaps his fingers. “That’s right. You were driving. I don’t need to move it forward.” He shakes his head. “I swear, my nephews must be a foot taller than I am,” he cracks, his New York accent thicker than I remembered.
But you and I are the same height.
