“Jake! Good morning, son!” Dad issues a greeting.
Great. What’s he doing here?
“Good morning, Mr. George.” He nods to me. “Sydney.”
“Morning.” I don’t hide my annoyance.
I made it three whole days without seeing him, and hoped Icould go the last four just the same. Guess that’s not in the cards. The roadshave finally been cleared, so Dad and I came to see about my rental. Icertainly didn’t expect to find Jake here.
“Saw the road was cleared so I figured I’d check if it wasstill here. Cleared off most of the snow.”
“Thanks.” Dad chuckles. “Saved me some trouble. Why don’tyou see if it’ll start, Syd?”
“Sure.”
I have to pass Jake to get to the door, and he’s standingway too closely. He won’t move either, and I can’t say anything without Dadhearing, so I brush against him. The jerk smirks.Ha!That’s a good one.It rhymes and everything.
“Make sure you turn off the heater, radio, and anything youmight have running.”
I give him the finger. “I grew up here and we have snow inNew York. I know what I’m doing.”
“Okay.” He backs away.
I turn the key, but nothing happens. After a few more tries,I give up, popping the hood. “Looks like we’ll have to jump it.”
“I’ll get the cable,” Dad says, disappearing to the back ofhis truck.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I turn tofind Jake watching me intently. Again.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he answers with a smile, walking away to help mydad.
Weird. First, he can’t stop scowling, now he’s being…pleasant. Huh. Maybe he got laid last night and that’s what’s improved hismood. I try to ignore the stab of jealousy, turning the key when Dad tells meto. The engine turns over on the second try.
“Let it run for a bit, punkin. I’ll see you back at home.”
“Aren’t you going to wait with me?” I jump out of thevehicle.
“Jake will wait with you.” He turns to Jake, giving him whatlooks like a conspiratorial smile. “Won’t you, Jake?”
“Sure. I got nowhere to be.”
“But, Dad—”
“See you two later.”
He jumps into his truck with a speed I haven’t seen inyears.Damn it, Dad. Why are my parents trying to push me and Jaketogether? Do they really think a few days are enough to undo what’s been doneover the course of ten years?
Jake hops into the passenger seat. As much as I want toavoid being locked in an enclosed space with him, it’s freezing. With a deepbreath, I join him.
“Nice wheels.”
“It’s a rental.”
“I figured.” He chuckles. “Still nice. Thought you’d wantsomething flashier.”
“Why?”
