ReBoot (MAC Security 4)

I nod my head in reply and watch as he walks out the main doors, the breath leaving my body as I look all around me.

I know I can do this, it’s simple really, but I didn’t think I’d be given such responsibility; at least not right away.

I loosen the grip I have on the keys that Roy gave me, slipping them into the front pocket of my jeans as I walk into his office and take my jacket off, deciding that the first thing I need to do is move all of these boxes to the corner of his office instead of them sitting in the middle of the floor.

“Hey.” I push up off the side of my car that I’m leaning against as Geena comes out of the precinct, shouldering her bag and walking toward me with measured steps.

“At least you remembered this time,” she snips as she gets closer to me, her brow raised.

I ignore the comment, knowing better than to argue with her because it gets us nowhere, she ultimately wins each and every time. Instead, I open my arms for her but she hesitates. We haven’t talked since she drove off the compound a few days ago, and it’s not through lack of trying on my part either.

“I’m sorry,” I sigh. “It’s my fault, I should’ve set an alarm.”

Her eyes flick between mine before she visibly softens and walks into my arms. I wrap them around her, breathing her in and closing my eyes.

We’ve been together for a couple of years now, but I don’t think I’m actually any closer to her than I was back when we first started dating. I know she’s the kind of woman who likes to hold her cards close to her chest, but she doesn’t just hold them, she clutches them like they’re her lifeline.

About twelve months ago, I told her I wanted a break, that things were getting on top of me, stressing me out. I’ve always found it hard to trust people—especially women—but she shot me down. What I expected her to say was definitely not what came from her mouth.

“No one else will ever want you, Evan. Look at you, you’re a geek who basically lives in one room. You want to take a break? I won’t be here when you decide that I’m the best woman you’ll ever be able to find.”

I cringe as her words echo in my head. The sad fact is, she’s right. No one would ever want me.

I’m a broken nerd. Much preferring to live in the code that I write and through the devices or surveillance equipment that I make. I know that no one else would put up with me and all of my quirks. So I stay, knowing that without Geena, I’d be just another single geek.

At least this way I have someone.

“Are we going out?” she asks, although I know by the tone of the question that she’s telling me we’re going out, not asking me.

“Yeah,” I reply, pulling back and pressing the fob on my keys to unlock my car. “Where would you like to go?”

“Hmmm…” I pull the passenger door open for her.

“What about Barney’s?” I suggest.

Her face screws up, her mouth flattening into a grim line. “I hate that place.”

I take a breath, trying my hardest to sound gentle. “It’s the only place that will still be open.”

“Ugh!” She practically stomps her foot. “Fine.”

I watch her get in the car before closing the door behind her and walking around to climb into the driver’s side.

“I don’t know why you didn’t use my car, I hate yours.” She pouts as she turns to face me. “You know how the leather seats make me sweat.”

I swallow and nod, not wanting to say anything to set her off.

I love my car; the burnt orange paint job is custom and so are the black rims that are on my tires. I saved up since I was thirteen years old, working jobs outside of school and then selling code and also working as a game tester in my spare time. All of the hard work that went into buying this car and making it into what I wanted. The seats are custom made, an E for Evan and an L for Lockwood intertwined and sewn into the black leather with red thread.

I pull out of the precinct and make the five-minute drive in silence, not daring to put the radio on and disturb her as she relaxes after her six-hour shift.

“Park at the back,” she commands, her eyes closed, but I ignore her. There’s no way in hell that I’m parking my car at the back of the lot. It doesn’t matter how much extra security I’ve built into this car, making it practically impossible to break into, I’m still not risking it.

I pull into the first space that I see closest to the door.

She opens her eyes, sitting forward before she warns, “Evan.”

I take a deep breath, turning to face her. “I’m not parking it at the back. It’s my car and I can park where I like.”