Sometimes things get worse before they get better, but now I’m low-key wondering how much worse they’re going to get.
CHAPTER SIX
ROBBIE
I’m sittingat a booth in Watchfire with three of my favorite people in the world. The remains of a giant chocolate cake—complete with flaming sparklers and a whipped-cream canister painted like a fire extinguisher to “blow them out”—sit in the middle of our table.
Brie’s sitting across from me, eating her body weight in baked goods. She hasn’t stopped grinning since Uncle Ames walked out with the flaming cake and said, “Congratulations, Science Star,” loud enough for the whole restaurant to hear.
Kaylee’s sitting beside her, so impressed with the dessert Ames put together, she’s actually put down her phone for a little while, though it violates every law of teenagerdom.
And my best friend is sitting beside me, chatting with Brie about science camp, and Kaylee about whether he’s qualified to take her prom dress shopping when he only owns chef’s whites and turnout gear.
It’s wonderful. Really. These people I love are perfectly happy in this moment, so I should be too.
And yet…
Every time Ames shifts his weight, I smell his coconut hair product. When he leans over to high-five Kaylee, our thighs brush beneath the table. And when he sits very still and watchful and doesn’t move at all, I canstillfeel the energy arcing between every cell of our arms.
This booth was not designed for two grown men. Definitely not two men who almost kissed two days ago and are trying very hard to forget it ever happened.
I feel like I’m coming out of my skin.
“—demonstrated all four types of extinguishers: water, foam, CO2, and dry powder. Mr. Patterson said it was verythorough.” Brie’s eyes shine with pride.
“Of course it was. ’Cause you’re brilliant,” Ames declares. “And you.” He narrows his eyes at Kaylee. “Don’t think I’m not planning something special for you, Miss 400 Meter Hurdles. A little bird told me you won your race Wednesdayandset a new PR?”
Kaylee shrugs but looks pleased. “Kinda, yeah.”
“Kinda, yeah,” Ames singsongs with an eye roll that makes Kaylee laugh. He gives me a look of mock bewilderment. “Where the hell did these two prodigies come from, Robert?”
“Dad says I’m like him,” Brie volunteers. “’Cause I’m too smart for my own good.”
Ames stiffens a little, and Kaylee shoots me a glance from across the table that I can’t quite interpret.
“Not true. You’re exactly the right amount of smart,” I tell her. Then I shoot her a wink and add in a joking tone, “I think you both probably get your talents fromme. I’mgood at jumping hurdles, and I’m good with fire extinguishers, so?—”
The girls laugh. Ames snorts. “But could you arrange a presentation on the extinguishers? Remember who had to teach you PowerPoint.” He turns, and we’re so close I can see the line of darker blue around his light blue irises. “And that was right after I had to step in to save you from painting your kitchennavy.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know where you got that idea.”
I swallow hard and look away. I’m starting to think I might know why I like that color in my kitchen so much.
Fucking fuck.What is going on with me? How far back does it go? And why won’t it let up?
“I think it’s obvious you girls take after your Uncle Ames,” Ames teases.
“But Uncle Ames, we’re not related,” Brie protests.
“Pffft.Genetics. I’ve known you since you were hours old, and I’m a fast runner who loves science?—”
“Compelling argument,” Kaylee says around a bite of cake.
“Loves science? Ha. Who may or may not have pulled a fire alarm because he forgot to study for our biology final sophomore year, Mr. Science?” I take a bite of cake and lick my spoon, staring at Ames the whole time.
Ames’s jaw drops. “We said we’d never discuss that, Robert.”
Kaylee and Brie snicker.
“I saidmay or may not,” I remind him. “You’re the one who just admitted to it.”
