The Boyfriend Thief

CHAPTER 20





Mr. Throckmorton eyed me with his disapproving look. Today apparently had been a very stressful day for him, judging from the way one side of his shirt tail hung outside of his pants and his hair stuck all out at crazy angles around his head.

“James,” he barked, making me jump guiltily. “I don’t see a customer at the counter. Who are you making that for?”

I pressed a lid over the top of the large double chocolate milkshake with extra whipped cream. “I’m expecting a customer at any second. This is a call ahead order for him.”

I gave Mr. Throckmorton what I hoped was my best innocent smile that didn’t make him think I was up to something. Of course, Mr. Throckmorton always thought I was up to something.

“Your friends don’t get free shakes,” he told me, his hands planted firmly on his hips. “Remember that. Either they pay or you do.”

“It’s already paid for,” I told him cheerily.

Mr. Throckmorton eyed me for a moment longer, before he finally disappeared into the kitchen with a curt nod.

I let out a sigh. I had to get out of this place. My sanity couldn’t endure working at Diggity Dog House for much longer.

“You called?” said a voice behind me.

Ian leaned against the counter, resting his camera on the sparkling clean surface I had wiped down moments ago.

“What do you want?” he asked in a bored voice.

“Is that any way to greet your sister who loves and adores you and…” I produced the freshly made shake, opening the lid to show him the contents. “…who made you this free milkshake?”

Ian gave me a suspicious look, but he took the drink I offered him. “Thanks.” He took a long sip through the straw and then said, “Again, what do you want?”

I motioned for Ian to follow me to the end of the counter farthest from the kitchen. I couldn’t leave my station since I was on register duty, but I could try to keep a certain person in the kitchen from overhearing my conversation.

“See this girl?” I asked, showing him the picture he had taken of Hannah.

Ian studied the picture. “Not really. It’s pretty blurry.”

I sighed. “Exactly. I need you to get a better picture. And if you get one of this girl kissing that guy I’ll give you two free shakes.”

“I can’t even tell what she looks like.” Ian turned the picture all around as if holding it upside down would give him a better view. “How will I know when I see her around town?”

“Go into my room and look for last year’s yearbook,” I said. “It’s on the top shelf of my bookcase. In the sophomore class, look for Hannah Cohen.”

Ian sucked down more milkshake before asking, “Why are you so interested in who she’s making out with?”

Little brothers could be so annoying. Why couldn’t he do what I told him without asking questions?

“None of your business. If you want the free shakes, do what I’ve asked.”

“Fine,” Ian said. “I don’t know if I’ll ever run into her around town again anyway. It wasn’t like I was looking specifically for her.”

“You found her once, you can find her again,” I said. “I’ll try to figure out where she might be going after school.” Molly would be perfect in that department.

The kitchen door opened and Elliott sauntered out, swinging the broom back and forth in one hand as he whistled. He caught sight of Ian and me and grinned.

“Aw, how cute. A family reunion?”

“Go annoy someone else,” I told him.

Elliott walked around the counter and slung his arm over Ian’s shoulders. “I’m only saying hey to my favorite little neighbor.”

The look in Ian’s eyes when he gazed up at Elliott made me want to pour his chocolate shake over the top of his head. Ian needed a lesson in how to pick better role models to admire. What was with this kid thinking every idiot he crossed paths with was his newest hero?

I reached across the counter and pulled my brother from the snake’s clutches. “Don’t you have work to do?”

Elliott twirled his broom. “I do have a date with some food crumbs.”

“Bye, Elliott,” Ian called as he walked away.

I made a face at him. “Please don’t tell me you’ve fallen for his charms too.”

The tips of Ian’s ears turned pink. “He seems like a pretty cool guy.”

“He’s the biggest jerk in town. Stay away from him.” I reached for a washcloth to wipe down the counter again, but paused when an idea hit me.

“Or better yet,” I said slowly, leaning over the counter and lowering my voice, “follow him too. Find out what he does when no one’s watching.”

“Why would you care what he does if you hate him?” Ian asked, sucking on his milkshake.

“Peace of mind.”

“If I do it, you have to up the payment to four free milkshakes.”

“Three.”

“Deal.”

“Get some good pictures. No more blurry ones.”

If everything worked out, I could take care of two problems at once.