“It won’t start,” I explained, handing over my keys.
I stepped aside and glanced hopefully toward the street. Obviously, it didn’t matter if Aiden showed up, but his cousin made me uneasy. He was too…quiet. Not unfriendly, but not engaging either. According to Aiden, Timmy was the best of the bunch.
My brain was busily working out family logistics when Newton approached. He raised a coiled cable like a peace offering, then set it on the ground and thrust his hand at Timmy.
“Alas we meet, sir.”
Timmy grunted from under the hood but didn’t look up. Newton cocked his head curiously and tried again with the same result. Honestly, I was more concerned with the repairs and the potential cost involved than Newton.
Until Aiden drove up and I realized what was happening.
Newton knew Aiden’s name.
He thought Aiden was my boyfriend. He’d inferred it, and I’d never corrected him because it was sort of true. And I wasn’t about to explain my relationship with Aiden to my boss. But this was a pickle, my friends. Newton had taken Aiden’s advice, and it paid off. He was probably more grateful to him than me.
Fuck. Big problem.
“Hi, there.” Aiden strode toward us, looking like a burly hunk of hotness in a light-blue oxford shirt that made his eyes pop. And was he really wearing suit pants? He tipped his head toward Newton and addressed his cousin. “Any luck?”
Timmy straightened, scanning the motley crew of scientists surrounding the Bronco. He glanced at Aiden then and did a double take. “Whoa. Why so fancy?”
“Long story.”
“You gotta date, eh?” Timmy prodded. “I heard Jackie bumped into you recently. You guys were kinda cute together. She’s fun and she’s got great—”
“Is it the battery or…” Aiden intercepted.
I tuned them out. I didn’t understand auto-speak and I had to get Newton out of here before he said something outlandish like—
“Well, hello there. You’re George’s boyfriend, correct?”
Everyone froze.
Timmy gaped at Newton. Aiden frowned, and me…I wasn’t sure what to do. But I had to try.
“No, Newton. You’re mistaken,” I rasped, eyeing my cape on the passenger seat.
Newton ignored me and held his hand toward my mystified lover. “Are you Aiden?”
“I am.” Aiden shook his hand and smiled. “And you are?”
“Newton. I owe you a debt of gratitude. Your dating advice was insightful, useful, and serendipitous. Thank you, kind sir,” he gushed. “George is quite fortunate indeed.”
“Uh…thanks,” Aiden replied.
He set his hands on his hips and squinted at the setting sun and purple-tinted mountains beyond the lab. I couldn’t read Aiden’s expression. At all. But he didn’t seem flustered or upset or angry. That was a good sign. I hoped.
“Boyfriend?” Timmy snorted.
“No, no, no. That’s not—we’re friends. I’ve known Aiden forever, Newton. He’s friends with my brothers. Especially Simon. They’re the best of friends. I think they met in junior high and…”
I babbled on, retelling our history in its original form. I rebuilt the walls we’d torn down over the past two months, reestablishing barriers, and defense systems. It was necessary. We’d agreed from the start that the number one rule was to put our friendship first. And I had to protect my friend.
So I talked and talked, carefully avoiding Aiden’s gaze. I knew I’d crack if I saw fear or pain. And it might be worse if I could tell he was relieved.
Or maybe it would be better. I didn’t know anymore.
What I did know was that I desperately needed to get away from this scene. My internal people meter was on the verge of collapse. I had no superpowers, no cape, nothing to hide behind. And no amount of significant intelligence could get me out of this gracefully. This was me, on my own, fucking everything up.
“…and that’s all we are. Friends. Just friends.” I spared one final wobbly smile and pulled my cell from my pocket with shaking hands.
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry. That was my mistake,” Newton said kindly, stepping away with a bow. “It was nice to meet you, gentlemen. Best wishes on your transportation situation, George. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I waited till Newton was gone to brave a glance at Aiden and his cousin. “I’m going to leave Willy in your capable hands. Let me know when you figure out what’s wrong.”
“Hey, it’s the battery. We can try to jump yours, but I have one on my truck,” Timmy hiked his thumb behind him. “One option is less expensive than the other. Either way, you’ll have to drive her for at least fifteen minutes. And just so we’re clear…I don’t care if you’re friends or more than friends. It’s your business, not mine. What’ll it be?”
Aiden spoke up after a few stilted seconds. “Give him a new battery. I’ll deal with it later. C’mon, G.”
“That’s okay. I’ll call for a ride. Thanks for everything.” I pulled my computer bag from the back seat and started walking.