“Right now the only thing that’s dangerous is me, especially when I get my hands on Thomas.”
“Emerson—”
I tilted my head to one side. “I think you have nickname clearance now.”
I tried to appreciate his smile without focusing on his lips.
“Em, it was a good thing you saw that camera when you did.” Michael sounded as if he were trying to convince himself. “We could have had a major disaster on our hands.”
“Right now the earth could fall off its axis, and I wouldn’t give a rat’s behind.”
Michael’s gaze skimmed over my bare shoulders, and he reached out to gently pull my jacket around them. “I’ve known since before we met how it would be between us. But knowing didn’t prepare me for you. I’m sorry.”
“I wish I could say I was sorry.”
“The rules about … fraternization … are in place for a reason.” He gestured to the fence and then closed his eyes. “This can’t happen again.”
I’d never had a real relationship. Back before my world went pear shaped, I indulged in the occasional fantasy involving a movie star or pop singer like any other normal teenage girl, but the last few years had been spent in an on-again, off-again with Joe Pharmaceutical. I had no idea how normal relationships worked to begin with, and Michael and I were far from normal. Talk about going from zero to sixty in eight seconds or less. I should contact the Guinness Book of World Records, category: “making up for lost time.”
Michael ran his hands over his face again. “We don’t need to be confused when there’s a bigger purpose.”
“I’m not confused at all.” Just worked up. “And what bigger purpose? It’s not like we’re saving the world.”
He said nothing.
“Michael?”
I considered flipping him over my shoulder again to make myself feel better. I told him as much.
“I think it’s time you explain that particular trick.”
Michael and I sat on the flat section of roof outside our bedroom windows. We’d reconnected after going back to our respective lofts; it was late after all, and I didn’t want my brother to ask any questions. Considering Thomas and his spying habit, I was already going to be in for it due to the evidence captured by the security camera. I hoped he would believe nothing happened.
Not that it did. Of this I was painfully aware.
We kept a safe amount of distance between us. No matter how far away Michael sat, I still felt an insatiable pull toward him. It grew stronger all the time, as if our centers were connected. Made it hard to concentrate.
“How did you become a teenage ninja?” He didn’t bother to hide the teasing in his voice.
“I took martial arts as my physical education elective at school. I was the best in the class. Once the semester was over I pursued my black belt at a private studio. I passed the test for brown right before I came home.” I sensed his doubtful look rather than seeing it. The streetlights didn’t quite shine high enough to light our perch above them, and the moon was a waxing crescent. “I know. It was a shock to me, too, but it was a healthy way to take out my frustrations.”
“It’s not been very healthy for me,” he said, his chuckle quiet in the night air.
“I’ve gone easy on you. Tell me, will my ass-kicking abilities come in handy when I’m ‘saving the world’?”
“It’s not the whole world, exactly.”
“Just the contingent forty-eight states?”
He sighed. “I’m not talking geography.”
“Details, please.”
Michael pulled his legs up, resting his forearms on his knees, his long fingers intertwined. “I’m trying to keep you out of trouble, Emerson. And that involves my keeping quiet for now. It’s not easy for me, but this is the way it has to be.”
“Not easy for you?” I scoffed. “How about you spill the information, and I’ll take care of myself?”
He looked up at the sliver of moon hanging in the sky. So did I.