“He’s a friend of mine.” Macy held her hand out for his smaller one and hauled him out of the water, wrapping the towel around him as if she’d done it a million times.
Wasn’t expecting the arrow, but I deserved its pinpoint accuracy. “I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by.”
Michael hooked his arm around her neck. He was a perfect mix of Macy and Gideon, but damn if he didn’t have our mom’s eyes. The intelligent icy blue that Macy shared, as well. “I’m Michael.”
Not Mike like most kids would be. Nope, not for my sister—the full Michael.
“Pretty sure I heard the full name as I was coming around the house.”
The kid leaned on his mom with a sigh. “I’m named after a movie. I’m not allowed to watch it yet though. Do you know Michael Myers?”
I tucked my hands in my pockets. “I know it very well. Your mom and I used to watch it all the time.”
“Really?” He glanced over at Macy.
Macy nodded and pushed the wet hair out of his eyes. “Yeah, when I was a kid.”
“So, when do I get to watch it?”
“Talk to me when you’re at double digits, my guy.”
He groaned. “You always say that. It’s gonna be forever.”
She set him down. “Go inside with your sister. Get dressed. You’re going to Grumps’ place.”
“Yes! He’s teaching me checkers.” He wrapped his towel tight under his chin, staring straight into my soul. “Do you know how to play checkers?”
I cleared my throat. “Triple king master.”
“So, cool! I’ve only been kinged once. Grumps doesn’t believe in letting kids win.”
I glanced at Macy. “Grumps?”
“Gideon’s dad.”
“Ahh. Got it.”
Michael tipped his head quizzically. “What happened to your face?”
“Michael Gideon!” Macy’s eyes bulged.
“What? Just curious. Looks like a lightning bolt on your cheek. How far does it go down?”
Macy dragged him back to her and covered his mouth. “Excuse my rude kid.”
Michael craned his neck to look up at her, mumbling something. When Macy finally pulled her hand away, he gave her a frown. “What? It’s cool.”
Cool was not a word I’d ever heard about my scars. Either people stared or specifically made sure to ignore them. There was usually no in-between.
She urged him back toward the house. “Go. Don’t forget your book.”
“Oh, right. I won’t! Grumps is gonna read the next chapter to me. We’re reading Percy Jackson!”
I wasn’t sure what to say so I just rocked back on my heels. “Very cool.”
“Say goodbye to Mr—Nolan.”
Michael waved. “Bye, Mr. Nolan!” He ran off, his wet feet slapping along the slate tiles before he thundered up the stairs.
Macy folded her arms over her chest. “Uncool with the sneak attack, No.”
“So, they don’t know about me at all, huh?”
“Kind of hard to explain they have an uncle who has never made an attempt to meet them.”
“Yeah. Got it. You’re right.” I raked my fingers through my hair before letting it fall forward again to soften the stark difference between my right and my left half of my face.
Macy stepped forward and pushed my hair back. “We going to talk about that?”
I resisted the urge to flinch away. “What do you want to know?”
She let my hair fall back into place, hiding a chunk of my left side. “What happened?”
“Thought you needed to get back to work.”
“Handily, I own my own place. I do what I want.” She folded her arms. “Spill it.”
“I’m impressed you didn’t Google it after our conversation the other night.”
