“Are you sure about this? I really should work on your apartments instead,” Talia says from behind them.
It’s only then that I notice Aiden tense up, his mouth clamping shut as he stares straight ahead before looking down at the paper he’s supposed to sign.
“You deserve a break too,” Max tells her. “And what better way to do that than by helping other businesses in town while drumming up more business for yours after you’re done with my flats?”
Talia shrugs. “Yeah right. Like anyone else is going to hire me. You’re the only one who took a chance on me, and it’s because you’re an out-of-towner. There’s no way these people will look past my family drama and give me a fresh start.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, but I’m grateful when Max responds. “Good work always speaks for itself. Once people see the quality of what you’ve done, they’d be idiots not to hire you.”
She looks like she’s about to tear up, but then Aiden turns slightly toward her.
“Aiden Pearson, what are you doing here?” she asks. The way he’s standing, she must not’ve seen his face before now.
I find it an odd question. Everyone in town is here, getting ready to test the go-karts.
He gives her what looks like a painfully forced smile. “I just came to say hi to Max and see how things were going down here in Penrose Beach. Sounds like you’re killing it in the building department. I’ve seen some of your work. Congratulations.”
It’s the weirdest conversation starter ever, but I’m still trying to figure Aiden out. Why would he tense up when he heard Talia talking? There must be a connection. Is there an old grudge between them? Or do they know each other from somewhere else?
Max said he’s never been to this town before, and yet Talia and Aiden know each other. Is this one of those chance meetings in a random part of the world?
“Well, I’m just surprised to see you here,” Talia responds. “You haven’t been here in years. Did you get a new phone number or something? Because I never heard from you after the last summer you stayed here. What was that, five or six years ago?”
My eyes go wide. Were they exes?
Max looks at me with the same expression, and it feels like we’re privy to a conversation that could go south and quickly, or like it could be on the Drama channel. Where’s the popcorn when you need it?
Aiden’s cheeks flare bright red. “Well, with my business, someone leaked my phone number, and I got so many spam calls. There were a few people from high school who kept bugging me for loans with no solid business plan. I had to get a new one. I lost the old phone too, so I didn’t have everyone’s numbers saved.”
“Aiden, you would’ve told me about that,” Max says.
“It’s true, man. I had to get your number from Jackson.”
“So you can remember Jackson’s number, but not mine?”
My head is on a swivel as I try to follow the conversation. Since I’m mostly an outsider, I can relax into this kind of entertainment.
“Who is Jackson?” I whisper. Talia shrugs but the guys are glaring at one another. I thought she might have some idea.
“Unlike some people,” Aiden says with an exaggerated look at Max, “Jackson shares his personal phone number with the world on just about every website. It was a breeze to find his.”
Jackson=close friend, willing to share his phone number with the world and apparently not worried about scammers.
Max still looks skeptical. I’m trying to catch up.
“Okay, we need all of you to step over here for the safety briefing,” Brenda says, waving us over.
We leave the small tent area and head toward a guy already dressed in a helmet and ready for racing.
There are three bigger tracks, along with a few smaller ones for younger kids. One of the bigger tracks requires wearing a bright jacket as well as a helmet. The other two don’t, which means those are the two I’ll test. I’m good with keeping the danger factors low.
After a ten-minute speech about being safe and not bumping into each other, we finally get into the line leading to the track with the least amount of people.
Lila and Ashley stand in front of me, chatting excitedly about racing and some cute boy they spotted from school farther down the line. I laugh and turn to listen to the awkward conversation between Aiden and Talia while Max stands close beside me.
The conversation is painfully stilted.
“Are they okay?” I whisper to Max.
