Though, he could just be good at hiding it, keeping things friendly so I’d lower my guard while he watched, waiting for me to slip up. The thought made the back of my neck prickle.
But another part of me didn’t buy it.
I wasn’t sure why. It could’ve been the way Nico laughed too loudly at his own jokes, or how easily he offered people food. Or how he’d shoved an extra blanket at me my first night here, like he already knew I’d need it.
Somehow, it didn’t feel like an act.
And maybe I just wanted to believe that today.
Of all days, I didn’t want anything going wrong. I didn’t want tension or suspicion hanging over everything. I just wanted the day to pass quietly and smoothly.
I checked my watch for the umpteenth time today. Soon. It should be soon.
“Hey,” Nico said suddenly, glancing toward the driveway. “He’s back.”
A car rolled into the driveway, slipping into the empty garage spot that had been vacant ever since I’d arrived.
The driver’s door opened, and a tall, lean man climbed out. He wore a denim jacket over a faded T-shirt that looked like it had a picture of a cat on it, gray sweatpants loose and comfortable.
He moved around to the passenger side, lifting a backpack, a laptop bag, and a hard metal case about the size of a shoebox with a handle on top.
He noticed us watching from the porch and tipped his chin in greeting before heading over.
Up close, he dropped most of the bags at the foot of the table. The laptop bag and the metal case, though, he handled with care, placing them on the wicker loveseat near the front door.
“You must be Mason,” he said. “I’m Tony.”
“Oh, hey.” I pushed up from my chair, suddenly unsure if I should shake hands or just nod. “Nice to finally meet you.”
Nico leaned back in his chair. “Everything go okay?”
Tony shrugged. “Eh.”
Then his gaze drifted toward the yard. He froze, then slowly turned back to us.
“…Who mowed the lawn?”
I raised a hand slightly. “Uh… I did. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind?” Tony snorted, jerking a thumb toward Nico. “I’ve been telling this guy to handle it for months.”
Then he paused, his eyes narrowing into daggers as they fixed on Nico. “Did you make him do it?”
Nico shot upright so fast his chair creaked.
“Of course not!” he exclaimed, genuinely horrified. “What kind of person do you think I am?”
Tony shrugged, like it wasn’t completely unreasonable to ask.
“It was my choice,” I said quickly. “I just wanted to do something. Since, you know, you guys took me in and let me stay here.”
The words came out more genuine than I expected. And the weird part was that I knew I meant them.
Tony waved a hand dismissively. “It’s no big deal. But you don’t need to feel like you owe us anything.”
I nodded, even though part of me didn’t entirely believe that.
“Tell you what,” Tony continued, stretching his arms above his head. “Why don’t we go out or order something nice for dinner tonight? My treat. I’m too tired to cook anyway.”
