“For your sister’s sake, I’m letting you off the hook about my truck. I won’t be so generous a second time.”
The boy’s eyes were so hot with emotion it was a wonder Mac’s skin didn’t blister. But then he turned and stamped off in the wake of his obnoxious pal.
Dodson gave a heavy sigh. “Do you go looking for trouble, Cordero, or does it just follow you around?”
“Let’s just say I deal with it when I find it.”
“You’re starting to worry me, Cordero. I don’t think you fit in around here.”
Mac chose not to comment.
The officer shook his head, his expression morose again. “I’m hungry. I’m going to eat. Stay away from the kids, okay? I can’t let you get away with something like that a second time.”
“There shouldn’t be a second time. Enjoy your dinner, Officer.” Mac turned and headed back toward his truck. He was no longer hungry.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“YOU HAVEN’T TOUCHED your dinner, Brad. Aren’t you hungry?”
Brad looked up from playing with his food. Something in his eyes made Sharon’s throat tighten. He looked so troubled. “Brad? Honey, is something wrong? You’ve been so quiet all evening. Aren’t you feeling well?”
He shrugged. “I feel okay.”
“Didn’t you and Jimbo have a good time at the arcade?”
“Jimbo can be a real jerk sometimes,” he muttered.
So that was the problem. Brad had quarreled with his friend. She relaxed a little. That wasn’t so bad. Teenagers squabbled all the time. And she’d been wanting him to spend less time with Jimbo, anyway. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Are you sure? I can be a good listener.”
“I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”
“Fine. There’s no need to snap.”
Brad muttered something incomprehensible and went back to toying with his dinner.
“I talked to Emily Davenport this afternoon,” she said, trying again to make conversation. “She said Clay is really glad you’re coming to his house tomorrow. He likes you, you know.”
“He’s a kid.”
“He’s a nice kid.”
“He’s okay.”
Sharon considered telling Brad that Mac would be attending the cookout too. She rejected the idea because he was already in such a bad mood. He was likely to refuse to go altogether if he knew Mac would be there. She had to trust that he wouldn’t be terribly rude in front of their friends. And that spending more time with Mac would help her brother accept him better.
Brad shoved his plate away. “I’m really not very hungry. I think I’ll go read or something.”
She started to remind him about the dishes, but decided she would just as soon do them herself tonight. It seemed easier in the long run than dealing with Brad in this disposition. “All right. Let me know if you need anything.”
Rubbing her aching temples, she started cleaning up when he left. She was so tired. She looked forward to being alone in her bedroom where she could think about the events of the day and prepare herself for tomorrow.
The telephone rang just as she finished cleaning the kitchen. She sensed who was calling even before she answered. Her hunch was confirmed when Mac spoke. “How’s it going?” he asked.
“It’s a little strained around here this evening,” she answered candidly. “Brad’s in one of his moods.”