Page 24 of Under the Radar

I grinned. “Me too.”

“I think she’d be lucky to have you.”

I laid my hand on my heart. Coming from Charly, that meant more than I could express. She was my sister, pseudo-mother, and friend, all rolled into a smart-mouthed redhead I adored.

“Thanks.”

She winked, but I saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes. She pretended to be tough, but we all knew she had a heart of gold under the swagger.

She waved her hand. “Be off with you. Make me money.”

“Okay, boss.”

* * *

The garage was swamped, and the rest of the week flew by. Hannah was there when I got home, and we spent a little time together at night. Conversation was easy between us. She would share bits of her day. I would tell her about amusing incidents in the garage. We sat at the kitchen table, leaning on our elbows, chatting. The living room and hall were now shrouded in plastic, the furniture and floors covered, the holes filled in and primed. Waiting for the weekend. Hannah had the paint mixed, and all the supplies were ready. Friday night, we ordered a pizza, and I laughed when I opened the fridge to grab us a beer.

“Enough food in there?” I asked. “When do you plan on using all of that?”

“Tomorrow. Stuff for sandwiches, burgers, and sausage to barbecue. Condiments and fruit. Mom will make some macaroni salad, and I got cupcakes.”

I began to laugh. “Okay, Cinnamon.”

“Your nickname makes no sense. I’m not a redhead like Charly.”

I tapped the bridge of my nose. “It’s the sexy little dots of cinnamon on your skin. Not your hair.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You find my freckles sexy? They’re annoying.”

“Nope. Totally sexy.”

Color fused her face. “You’re just being sweet.”

“Never. Telling the truth. I find them fascinating.”

She picked up her plate and carried it to the sink. “Then you need to find a better hobby.”

But she was smiling as she left the room.

And there were no nightmares that night.

The next day, I worked in the garage, grateful when we were done ahead of schedule and I could go home. The place was bustling when I got there. Gabby and Charly were working in the living room, waving as I went by. I was shocked when I went to my room, finding my furniture already in the middle of it and my walls ready to be painted. I turned and found Hannah leaning on the door, grinning. “We got it ready.”

“I don’t want you to hurt yourself moving furniture.”

She laughed. “I’m stronger than I look, Chase. I’m fine.” She winked, teasing me. “Don’t worry, I didn’t riffle through your drawers and find the hidden porn stash. I tried, but you must hide it well.”

I gaped, and her eyes widened. “I was kidding, Chase. I’m sorry…”

I started to laugh. She joined me. “You brat.”

I had to sling my arm over her shoulder and pull her in for a hug. “I use the internet now for porn, Cinnamon. I don’t buy magazines.”

Now it was her turn to gape. Then we both laughed, enjoying a moment of levity together.

“Seriously, thank you. I’m shocked how much you have done already.”

“Get into your painting clothes and grab some food. Everyone will eat, and then we’ll split off to divide and conquer.”