Bailey
I tightenedthe clamp holding the cold-intake hose in place and stepped back to do a visual inspection. It all looked good to the naked eye.
I tossed my socket wrench into my toolbox in the storage unit where Owen had stashed his Nissan 350Z. It wasn’t the sports car I’d expected, but it had great modification potential—and it was affordable.
I wiped my hands on a rag and walked around the car to reconnect the battery. My phone vibrated in my back pocket. I tugged it out and checked the screen, even though I already knew who it would be.
Bossy Brother flashed across the screen.
I glanced guiltily at the car under my fingertips. The one I’d been working on instead of attending class lately. Shit.
I answered the call, even though I didn’t want to. “Hey, man, what’s up?”
“Finally, you answer,” Holden grumbled. “I thought I’d have to send out a search party.”
“You know, normal humans just text.”
“Yeah, well, I want more than a thumbs-up from you. I want actual proof of life, like your voice telling me how things are going.”
This was exactly why I hadn’t been taking his calls. What was there to say? I couldn’t tell him that I hated school, that I felt like an outsider here, someone who didn’t quite fit except when I was working on cars for some dudes who’d effectively blackmailed me.
I should be pissed that they were taking advantage of me, and instead, I was finding excuses to spend more time here.
“Everything’s fine,” I said.
“Fine,” he huffed. “Hardly more than a thumbs-up.”
I hit the Mute button and dropped the hood with a clang. I didn’t want Holden to ask questions about what I was doing right now. I unmuted the phone.
“I don’t know what you want me to say. It’s school, you know? It’s a lot of work.”
“Flynn said he saw you the last time he went up there,” Holden said, trying another track. “With a friend?”
“Iris, yeah. She’s cool. We study together.”
Mostly because we were both hopeless, but misery loves company.
“That’s great,” Holden said, voice brightening. “I’m glad you’re not all alone up there.” He hesitated. “I worry about you, kid.”
“I miss you guys,” I admitted.
“We miss you too, but you’re going to do such great things. This is just the start, Bailey.”
“Yeah.” Time to change the subject. “So, did Flynn say anything else about his visit up here?”
“Like what?”
“Um, I don’t know. About his brother or…”
Me? About me?
Holden wouldloveif I asked that. I started the engine of the Nissan, letting it idle and watching the sensors while we talked.
“Actually, he went back up there again today. Said something about his brother being lonely. Hey, maybe you guys could be friends.”
My heart thumped. “Me and Flynn?”
“No, you and his brother. You’re both up at that campus together.”
