“Because I feel that the intent of the footage shown was not done in good faith and was, in fact, used to exploit my family’s tragedy, I can no longer remain a contestant on the show. I will not be returning for this week’s competition. I’m sorry for any frustration this has caused my fans, and I hope you’ll continue to support me. For those of you who want to hear more of my music, I’ve got a brand-new song coming next week with my new band, Sketch Monsters. Look us up. Thank you.”
Sketch Monsters? Did he just say Sketch Monsters?Thank god I was sitting down, or I probably would have passed out. Quinn McKallister, with that brilliantly devious mind of his, had just stolen my blitzed-out imaginary critters and passed them off as his own. Who did that? But I knew. A guy trying to get a girl’s attention. Quinn was sending me a sign. He wanted to provoke me…draw me out into the open. And I had half a mind to take him up on the offer, flinging the bus doors open and jumping into his clever arms.
My daydream came to a startling end with a bopping sound on the side of my bus. An unwanted head popped through the same window Noah was standing in front of, sending him stumbling back in surprise.
“You again? I swear, Jesse, we have to stop meeting this way.”
Cody Weller.
My brows furrowed, and I could almost hear the wild west pistol duel music playing in the background. If ever there was rent-a-cop I’d like to prematurely fire upon in a quick draw, it was him.
“Relax,” I said, flicking on my microphone and instructing my charges to return to their seats. “We’re leaving.”
“I specifically recall telling you not to loiter, but then you’re not much for following the rules, are you, Jesse?”
“And I specifically recall you not being an actual cop, but then, look at you policing.”
His tongue clicked as he took me in with his beady eyes. “Take it easy, sweetheart. That mouth of yours has gotten you into a lot of trouble in the past. Unless you’d like me to do a little story time with your passengers, I suggest you leave.”
Ooh, match point. What a dickhead. God, how I wanted to spit in his face.
Perhaps sensing the animosity, Noah came to my rescue, stepping between Cody and me.
“Leave my mom alone,” he said in his strongest superhero voice ever.
Cody’s eyes shot up, a smile invading his smug face.
“He’s yours… and Nick’s? This is Noah?”
Warning signs flashed in my head. “Bud, it’s okay. Go back to your seat.”
“You look a lot like your dad,” Cody said, taking a more active interest in his buddy’s offspring.
Although I couldn’t see Noah’s face, as he was still in front of me offering what protection he could at four foot eight, I could only imagine his surprise. “You know my dad?”
Grabbing Noah’s hand, I pulled him behind me.
“Back off,” I warned.
Hell hath have no fury like a mommy protecting her young.
Cody actually took a step back, smart enough to recognize the danger. I turned my attention to Gloria, imploring. She didn’t need to be told twice, or be kicked in the shin like Vern. Gloria popped the bus off the curb and we made our hasty escape.
17
Quinn: On the Rise
The heat from the lights prompted Tucker to reach into his pocket for his handkerchief and offer it up to me. I shook my head. He then proceeded to mime dabbing the sweat off his own forehead, perhaps to demonstrate how the old-time invention worked. Yeah, I got it. And it didn’t make me any more eager to rub his snot rag all over my face. Again, I shook my head. He flashed me a look that said ‘Your loss’ before tucking it away.
Mike snickered on the stool beside me.
“Hey,” he whispered, “if you need something more sanitary to mop up the sweat, I have a used condom in my pocket.”
“Please don’t flatter yourself. We both know it’s not used.”
Mike focused some of his nervous energy into a laugh but quickly returned to the leg bouncing he’d been doing since we’d taken our seats.
“Hey, Thumper, relax.”
