Pivot Point (Pivot Point, #1)(50)

“It’s after eleven,” Bobby says. “It’s not like I traipse around the house with all the lights on. Especially when I’m the only one home.”

“So, what did you find out?” Duke asks, pointing to one of the screens, where a seedy-looking picture of Poison fills one corner of the monitor.

Bobby sits down at the desk. “Not much. He’s been arrested a few times for enhancers, but that’s about it. What exactly were you hoping to find out about him?”

“If he’s dangerous,” Duke says.

“He seems fairly harmless,” Bobby says.

So does Bobby, but I know what he’s capable of. “Are you sure? Is that the only place you looked?”

Bobby narrows his eyes at me. “I think the police station is a pretty good place to look. But I guess I can check the library to see if he has any outstanding late fees. Knowing you, that would help.”

“You don’t know me,” I say quietly.

“No need to be a jerk,” Laila says. “She was just asking. What about his address? Were you able to find that?”

“Yeah.” He pulls out a piece of paper from the desk drawer and writes down the address, then hands it to Duke.

“Thanks.” Duke slaps him on the back.

My eyes have found the screen again and can’t look away from the image of Poison. My mind goes back to the way he had forced me to step forward, held me there without hands. I don’t understand that kind of power. It’s nothing like my mom’s, who Persuades me to do things. If I try hard enough, and recognize what she’s doing, I can fight against her influence. But with Poison, I hadn’t wanted to move forward, and yet he made me. I was totally at his mercy.

“Did you want to hang out, or are you going to leave with your boyfriend?” Bobby asks. I look around the room and realize Duke and Laila are on their way out. I whirl around and head for the door.

“What did I do to you?” Bobby asks from behind me.

I stop.

“What did you see me do that changed the way you look at me?”

“I saw who you really are.”

“Then why did you come here tonight?” He sounds far away and small.

“Because for some reason Duke trusts you.” I run out of the room and catch up with Duke. He slides his arm across my shoulder and kisses my temple. I cuddle into him.

“So what are we doing now?” I ask.

“Surveillance.”





CHAPTER 22


phe?NO[R]M?e?non: n. someone who thinks his existence is an impressive occurrence





I’ve been staring out the window for the last two hours, even though Laila told me she probably wouldn’t get here until six, just enough time to freshen up and get to the football game. It’s been almost a month since I’ve been gone, but it feels like I haven’t seen her in an eternity.

When a truck pulls up in front of the house, I race out the door. She’s halfway up the walk by the time we reach each other. Neither one of us is a squealer, but we embrace and proceed to jump up and down screaming.

She pulls away.

I point. “You’re wearing sunglasses.”

“That’s because it’s insanely bright here. Crazy story. I stopped at a gas station, feeling mentally tired, and like an idiot I asked the guy behind the register if they had any Brain Food. He looked at me all weird, and I remembered that huge lecture we got before leaving the Compound about not letting things slip, so I Erased a minute of his memory.”

“You did not.”

She laughs. “Totally did. I thought I was going to have to zap the whole store, but there was only one other woman, and she was distracted putting this nasty-looking hot dog into a bun. There was a rack of sunglasses next to the register, so I grabbed a pair and bought them. Hopefully feeling them on my face will make me think more like a Norm.”

I smile. “Have I told you how much I miss you yet?”

“I miss you too. When are you coming home?”

“Come on, let’s get your stuff, and I’ll show you around.” I help her pull out a bag from the truck bed. “You rented a truck?”

“Yeah, sure, me and all my money. No. I borrowed this from that guy who rebuilds useless Norm crap.”

“Obviously not so useless after all.”

“Funny. That’s what he said when I was scanning over the rest of my monthly allowance if he let me use it. I mean, I know we can’t have Para-tech out here, but seriously?” She pounds the tailgate.

Inside my dad hugs Laila. “Good to see you again. How is life at home?” He grabs the duffel bag off her shoulder and slings it over his own. I smile, loving that my dad treats Laila like a daughter. I hope that in some small way it makes up for the fact that her father doesn’t.

“If I said fine, you’d know I was lying, so I’ll just say same as always.”

“Keep your chin up.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Let’s go get ready,” I say.

“Where are you girls going?” my dad asks.

“Remember, I told you we’re going to the football game?”

“Oh, that’s right.” He leads the way down the hall, deposits the bag in my room, and leaves us to get ready.