Chapter 9

The man in the doorway had shoulder-length blond hair and looked worried.

Jealousy raged through me. Who was that? Why was he in Amantha's apartment? Was this who texted her yesterday?

I forgot all about being cold.

“Aunt Amantha! Are you okay?” the man burst out.

She raised her head from my chest and looked at the guy. “I'm fine. Zion thinks I'll melt.”

The man grinned. “You're not sweet enough for that.”

She smiled. “That's what I said!”

I looked at the man again. He was younger than I initially thought, maybe 15. He clearly hadn't filled out yet, still having that high school leanness.

Something was going on that I didn't know about.

My jealousy faded.

“Oh, sorry,” he said. “Bring her in.” The young man stepped aside.

I carried Amantha inside to a living room. A TV was mounted to the wall near the door with a coffee table pushed underneath it, a bay window set on the outside wall, and a couch stretched against the wall across from us. A bookshelf stuffed to the brim with books stood between the window and couch. A bar counter sprawled through the last wall, connecting the living room and the kitchen, with two kitchen stools sitting underneath the ledge. The door to a hallway stood beside that.

I sat Amantha gently on the couch. The muted TV played some reality show.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You're welcome.”

The young man closed the door.

Amantha said, “This is my nephew, Neo. Neo, this is Zion, the co-worker I told you about.”

Neo nodded. “The thrill seeker.”

I grinned, very pleased by this development. “You've been talking about me.”

Amantha rolled her eyes. “Don't let it go to your head.”

I chuckled. “My truck's still on. Let me grab your chair, and I'll get out of here. I'll be back bright and early tomorrow, though.”

“You don't have to come back tomorrow.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Try to stop me.”

Amantha shook her head. “Well, thank you.”

She looked unbelievably cute, her damp hair hanging around her shoulders and her hazel eyes bright.

I couldn't help myself. I kissed her cheek.

“Sweet dreams, Ms.—”

Neo started to help me. “Her last name is—”

“Ah-ah-ah. Do not tell him,” Amantha interrupted. “We have a bet. He has two weeks to guess my last name. And if you help him, I'll take your phone for a month.”

I stood and whispered behind my hand to Neo, “I'll buy you a new phone. Whatever you want, the newest model. Service paid for a year.”

Amantha added, “And I'll take your PlayStation. And the TV out of your room. For two months.”

I whispered, “You can live with me. I have a bachelor pad that has all of that. And I'll take you skydiving.”

Neo laughed. “You two are perfect for each other.”

My heart lunged in my chest.

No . Think of her as a sibling.

Amantha frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Aunt Amantha, I've lived with you long enough. I know. I guarantee, if you were trying to get your way, you'd do exactly what he is. You're exactly alike.” He gestured at the door and looked at me. “I can help you grab the wheelchair.”

“Great. Thanks, man.” I turned to Amantha. “Night, sugar tits.”

She laughed. “Night, salty balls.”

Neo sighed and shook his head. “I don't want to know.”

I laughed and walked outside. Neo followed me, leaving the door cracked behind him.

“Stay here under the roof,” I instructed Neo. “I'll grab the chair and bring it to you.”

“Okay.”

I darted out into the rain.

Holy shit, I forgot how cold the rain was.

I opened the back door of the truck and pulled out the wheelchair. Quickly, I shut the door and jogged it back to Neo.

“Thank you,” he said. He put his hands around the handles, which were close together from the chair being folded.

“You're welcome. Will I see you tomorrow? I'm picking Amantha up at 8:30.” I rubbed my hands over my arms and hunched my shoulders in an effort to stay warm.

Neo shook his head. “Nah, I leave for school before that.”

“Well, it was nice to meet you, Neo.” I held my hand out to shake his.

He shook my hand. “You too. I'm sure I'll see you again, though. Take me skydiving?”

I laughed. “Sure. Hit me up. I'll take you.”

“Sweet. Night, Z.”

I smiled. I liked that he was giving me a nickname. “Night, Neo.”

As Neo disappeared through the door with the wheelchair, I turned back to the rain. At least the truck's heat was still on.

I took off running through the rain, intent on my destination.