“That all I have to do?”
I screwed the cap back on to the water bottle in my hand. “I’m not a vault. Ask me a question and I’ll give you an answer as much as I can. Some things are best left where they lay.”
Embry nodded. “I know it. Maybe it’s more I don’t know what to ask. It’s like that with Decoy too. He never talks about his deployments.”
“It’s not an easy thing to explain to a civvie, no offence.”
Embry laughed, a little colour coming back into his face. “None taken. I’ve been surrounded by gorgers my whole fucking life. But maybe it’s a good thing you and Decoy are going to be spending more time together. An outlet for both of you?”
“Uh. Yeah. Do you need anything else?”
I wasn’t a man who tripped over my words often, but if Embry noticed, it didn’t show. He thought for a moment, then sighed. “I’m taking Liliana to school in a bit. Can you drive us?”
“Of course.”
* * *
The school run wasn’t a new thing for me. I’d driven Embry before. Shadowed Mateo. I’d even guarded Decoy on the days he took Liliana too; he just didn’t know it.
This morning was less about security and more about Embry’s ability to stay upright. I had to give it to him, though. In front of Liliana, his game face was flawless.
Even so, when we got to the school, I did him a solid and pocket dialled him.
Embry picked up his vibrating phone. “I gotta take this, Lil. Can Folk walk you in?”
“Can I show him the painting I did in my classroom?”
“If your teacher doesn’t mind.”
“I don’t care if she minds. I’m not coming to this school next year.”
Embry sighed. “Don’t put your dad through another phone call, kiddo. The swear box is about to explode.”
Liliana pulled a face. I got out of the car before Embry could react and opened her door.
She slithered out, two bags hooked over her slender arms. I took one and waited for her to say goodbye to Embry, then I let her lead me onto the school grounds.
Liliana’s classroom was at the back. I escorted her in and took a quick peek at the mural she’d painted on the wall. Then I got out of there before she could sass her teacher.
I retrod my steps through the school grounds, half my mind on Embry in the car, the other on Decoy.
My phone burned a hole in my pocket. I pulled it out and opened our short message thread. The last text I’d sent him had been about sandwiches. Kind of. Would it be weird to double down and tell him those few hours I’d spent in his house had been the most chill I’d felt in months? Years, even?
Probably. But I didn’t mind being weird. Life was too short.
Still, I settled for something more benign.
Folk:We should meet when you get back. Before you go home.
He was driving. I didn’t expect him to answer anytime soon.
“Folksie!”
The high-pitched call hit like a ghost. I spun around, half expecting to find no one there.
Ivy grinned back at me, her long hair tangled down her back, felt-tip pen on her face. “Itisyou.”
“It is,” I agreed. “What are you doing out here on your own?”
