Timepiece (Hourglass 2)

“If you … slept … in here, in that bed”—she blushed furiously as she pointed at it—“I’d feel a lot … better. About you staying out of the liquor cabinet.”

“That’s it?”

“And I’d feel a lot safer. In general.”

“Done. Let me get some clothes.” I didn’t feel right about leaving her alone, anyway, not with Jack popping in and out of every godforsaken place I went.

“Okay. Oh, and hey.”

“Yeah?” I paused at the door.

“I still don’t like you.”

“I know,” I said, smiling. “I still don’t like you, either.”

She was already asleep when I returned.

I left the door cracked.

Chapter 31

I’d achieved a miraculous feat.

Eight strictly platonic hours in a bedroom with a girl.

Em and Michael didn’t ask any questions the next morning. Some dismay came from Em’s direction, and I caught her giving Lily a look. Lily shook her head, and the dismay turned to curiosity.

We checked out and carried our bags to Em’s SUV. I stepped in front of the trunk before she could pop it open.

“Two things,” I said. “First of all, I saw Jack last night.”

“What?” Em fumbled her suitcase.

“Where?” Michael demanded.

“At the police station.” I recounted the events of the evening, and everything I’d learned. I left out the comparisons Jack made between us. And that he left the pocket watch behind.

“And secondly, I want to give Dune a chance with the Skroll before we tell Dad about it. If Dune can’t get anything after a few days, then we can get Dad involved. I don’t want to get his hopes up, and I don’t want to be cut out of any information it could provide. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Em waved me to the side and popped open the trunk.

Michael swung the bags into the back.

“Are you in?” I asked.

He nodded, but he remained as quiet as the grave.

So was the rest of the ride home.

Em dropped Lily off first. No one said a word until Em pulled into my driveway. I was already reaching for the door handle.

“Kaleb, wait,” Em blurted out.

I sat back in the seat and met her eyes in the rearview mirror.

“I know what you were trying to do for me last night, and I know how much taking emotion costs you. It was a gift that I didn’t accept. I’m sorry, and thank you so much.” Completely genuine.

Michael ached beside her.