The Speed of Light: A Novel(37)

He flinches but then quickly rolls his eyes. “I’m fine.”

“Okay.” I reach out and hug him, brief but fierce, then step back. He’s not telling the full truth, but right now I’m in triage mode—there’s a more pressing concern to deal with. “So this guy who’s coming: What do you know about him?”

He shrugs. “Not much, I guess. He had a snowmobile I could afford.”

I shake my head, my big-sister radar on full alert. “Craigslist, Emmett? Really? I swear to God the only time I hear about Craigslist is when someone gets murdered.”

Emmett rolls his eyes. “It’s not a big deal, Simone.” I glare at him, and he changes tactic. “I mean, he’s not coming inside or anything.”

I want to inform my brother that murders can and probably do happen in parking lots every day, but he already seems to think I’m overreacting. Think, Simone, think. My phone beeps in my hand, and I look down.

Connor: How was your workout?

I look up at my brother, a glint in my eye. Emmett frowns. “What?”

I smile and look down at my phone again, typing out a text: Well, I won’t be running any marathons soon, but it was okay.

I wait a few seconds, then: Hey, can I call you?

I swear less than a second goes by before his response appears: Sure.

As the phone rings, I find myself praying in my head—an absurd little habit when I’m nervous, like a holy antidote to stage fright and anxiety.

“Hey.” His greeting is as warm as his sweatshirt—God, how can one word make your entire insides melt?

“Hi,” I say. Emmett makes a face, and I wipe away my swooning smile, clear my throat. “So, random question, but, uh, what are you doing right now?”

“Oh, you know, something super important.”

“Bingeing on Netflix and popcorn, huh?”

He laughs. “Busted. What’s up?”

“My brother is here. Unexpectedly. He sort of bought a snowmobile on the internet and set it up to meet someone here to pick it up tonight.”

“He did what?”

“Um, well, Emmett bought it on Craigslist, and the guy is apparently bringing it here to my place . . . tonight.”

There’s a pause. “So . . . a stranger your brother found on Craigslist is coming to your apartment?”

“Pretty much, yeah. Well, Emmett’s supposed to meet him in the parking lot, but I guess that kind of makes me nervous. I mean, I’ll totally go out there with him, of course, but I was just wondering, if, um . . . if you . . .” I trail off, suddenly afraid to say the words. Maybe this is a mistake. Once again, I’m asking him to drop everything to help me with a random minicrisis—not exactly the cool-girl vibe I’d like to project.

I open my mouth, prepared to backpedal, but Connor speaks gently. “Do you want me to come over?”

Relief floods through me. “Would you?”

“Of course. When is he coming?”

“In about forty minutes.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He pauses. “But wait inside until I get there, even if the guy shows up before me. Please?”

“We will.” I smile, glad I’m not the only one weirded out by this unexpected visitor. I end the call and turn to my brother. “Connor’s on his way over.”

But when I look at Emmett, he looks confused. “Connor from Christmas?” Then his eyes flash with anger. “You didn’t need to do that. I’m not a child.”

He’s right about that—he’s half a foot taller than I am—but I cross my arms. “I know you’re not, but you’re still my little brother, and apparently have questionable judgment.”

We stare each other down, and my face reddens. I hate that we’ve both grown up and into a world where I can no longer be his protector. One more area of my life where I feel inadequate, helpless. I take a deep breath, try a softer approach. “Look, I was just thinking that a little backup isn’t a bad thing, right?”

Emmett rolls his eyes, but he shrugs. “I guess.” Then he smirks at me. “You and Mr. Blizzard, huh? Well, I hope he knows something about snowmobiles.”

I nudge his arm with mine, and we sit together for a moment, silent, waiting. “So,” I say finally. “Mom and Dad.”

Emmett winces. “I’ll handle it.”

“You are seriously going to be grounded for the next decade.”

He shrugs, then grins. “Guess I’ll have plenty of time to work on my new snowmobile.”





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Half an hour later, Connor knocks on the door. I take his hand, and he leans down and kisses me, soft and quick, as he steps in. It’s so automatic, so comfortable.

Then he looks down at my chest quizzically and chuckles. “I was wondering where that went.”

I cross my arms over his sweatshirt. Busted. But he kisses me again, a little longer this time, and I melt into him.

Emmett clears his throat and we pull apart. “Emmett.” I smile awkwardly. “You remember Connor?”

Connor smiles, walks over to Emmett, and claps him on the back. “New snowmobile, huh?”

Emmett shrugs. “Do you ride?”

“Not much anymore, but my brother loved them.” I wince, but Connor’s smile hasn’t faded. “Is this guy gonna let you take it for a spin around the parking lot to make sure it runs okay?”