Shit. The last thing I want is him snooping around in my backpack. I take it off, unzip it, and show him the inside.Please don’t notice the box.
He leans in to look. “What’s in the box?”
Fuck.
“Just medicine.” I keep my voice steady, fighting back rising panic.
“What kind of medicine?”
“Antibiotics,” I lie.
“Show me.”
Deep breath, Aiden. It’ll be okay. I remove the box with the utmost care and crack open the lid. Sunlight glints against the three vials of pale-green liquid packed tightly in padding. I figure he’s only looking for weapons. But if he tries something stupid, like trying to take them, that would get ugly, fast. My entire body tenses, expecting the worst.
But all he does is nod and take a step back. I let out a deep breath and put the box away.
Shit, that was close.
“Nohiddenweapons?” he asks.
“Nope.”
“Then drop your pants.”
I bark out a laugh. “Excuse me?”
“I said drop ’em.” He gestures with his gun. “Better not see any guns or knives strapped to your legs.”
Wow. He’s not kidding. “Like I said, you’re the boss.” I unbutton my pants and lower them to my ankles. Sure glad I wear underwear. A breeze tickles the hairs of my exposed legs, giving me goosebumps.
“See? No weapons,” I say. “Only one place you haven’t checked.” I slather that last bit in sarcasm, trying to crack through his nerves with some humor.
He jerks his head back, eyebrows raised as if he can’t believe what I said. We both stand frozen for a moment. Did I miscalculate?
“Not on the first date,” he says in absolute deadpan.
He lets out a short laugh, and then I do, too, which cuts the tension.
“Alright, pull ’em back up.”
As I do so, he lowers his gun, and his stance relaxes.
Whew.
“So, where did you say you were headed?” he asks.
His tone is noticeably calmer. Almost friendly. The sudden change is a little startling.
“Seattle. I’m looking for family. I was on the East Coast when all this shit went down.”
Family isnotwhy I’m going there, of course. But keeping my answers vague and close to the truth makes it easier not to get caught in a lie.
But when I mention Seattle, his eyes go wide. “I’mfrom Seattle,” he blurts out. “I’m admitted to University of Washington—uh—I mean, I was admitted.”
Cool. Another way to win him over. He’ll think we’re best friends in no time.
“Yeah. U-Dub is great,” I lie. Never been there. Yet. But that’s exactly where I’m headed. UW Medical Center. “So, how’d you end up here?” I gesture around the small main street.
