Real y.”
“No one is that loaded, Nick, that they’d just throw forty-eight thousand dol ars a year at a kid for running errands. Think about it.”
A day ago, he’d have been right there with her. But after today … for some reason he believed in Kyrian and his intentions. “Yeah, he is. Trust me. I saw the house and you ain’t never seen nothing like it. So you can quit dancing. I’l be making enough working part time that you won’t have to do anything but stay home.” Just like they’d always dreamed of.
His mom hesitated. “I don’t know.”
“Please, Mom. Trust me.”
Her features softened as she cupped his cheek in her hand.
“Tel you what. You work for him for a couple of weeks and after you get your first paycheck then we’l see, okay?” Nick curled his lip as he realized her tactic. She was shutting him down and not real y listening to a word he said.
“Why don’t you believe me?”
“I think you misunderstood him.”
“I didn’t.”
She brushed his hair back from his face. “We’l see, Nick.
We’l see.”
God, he hated that tone she used. It was so condescending and what she was actual y saying is that he didn’t know what he was talking about. He wasn’t stupid.
Whatever. He was too disgusted to keep arguing when it was obviously futile.
She went to go dress. “I left you some eggs and cheese on the stove in case you’re hungry.”
Nick cringed at her words. He should have thought to bring her some of Rosa’s gumbo. She wouldn’t have forgotten about him.
Next time …
“I’m ful if you want some more. Kyrian’s housekeeper fed me about an hour ago.”
“Was it good?” she cal ed from her room.
“Yeah.”
She poked her head out of the door. “Better than my cooking?”
He started to say yes, which was the truth, but self-preservation kicked in. He’d made the mistake of saying Menyara made better biscuits once and his mom hadn’t taken it wel . “No. No one’s gumbo can touch yours.” She winked at him before she closed the door.
Nick let out a relieved breath that he’d sailed past that land mine without getting his butt kicked over it. It wasn’t often he passed those tests. I’m getting better at dealing with women.
Today his mom. Tomorrow an actual girlfriend. …
Like Kody.
Maybe I should call her? Since he hadn’t seen her at school, he stil had her Nintendo in his pocket.
You know you don’t have her number.
Oh yeah. That was a problem. One he’d fix first thing tomorrow when he went to school. And this time, he wouldn’t wuss out. He’d actual y ask her to go have beignets with him.
Nick headed to the counter and picked up his worn-out copy of Hammer’s Slammers, then headed to his room to read. He was just skipping ahead to where he left off last night when his mom pushed back the blanket.
“I’m heading out. You need anything before I go?”
“I’m good.”
“Okay. Mennie said she’d come by later and check on you.
I’l be home a little after dawn.”
Nick set his book down as he thought about her taking the streetcars to and from work while more zombies could be out on the street. His mom would barely be a snack for them.
“Would you mind if I went in to work with you tonight?”
“You need to rest.”
“Yeah, but with al this weird sh—” He caught himself before he said something she’d ground him over. “—stuff going on, I’d feel better if you weren’t by yourself.” A slow smile spread across her beautiful face. “You going to be my protector?”
“That’s my job, isn’t it?”
“Al right. Grab a jacket and I’l tel Mennie.” Nick did as she ordered. She didn’t often let him go to the club on school nights, but he’d meant what he said. He didn’t like his mom out by herself. New Orleans could be dangerous on its best nights and since she was al he had …
He’d guard her with every breath in his body.
By the time he had his jacket on over his bad arm and had reached the porch, Mennie was outside with her.
“Why don’t you borrow my car, chère?” His mom hesitated. “You know I don’t like being responsible for other people’s property. Besides, it’s hard and expensive to park it in the Quarter. Bourbon Street’s already blocked off.”
“Then park it on Royal. Please, Cherise. I’d feel better if you two weren’t roaming the streets in the wee hours of the night by yourselves. Think of poor Nicky.”
His mom looked at him before she nodded.
Menyara handed her the keys, then kissed Nick on the cheek. “You watch over your mom.”
“Always.”
His mom smiled at her. “I’l leave the keys on the counter so that you can get them in the morning.”
“Sounds good.”