Chapter 33

Brian kissed Cindy’s cheek. “Thanks for understanding. You’re hip.”

“I’ll keep what you said a secret.”

Brian hunched. “Doesn’t matter. I said it in front of too many others. It’ll get around.”

* * * *

A little while later, Jim and Brian walked home.

“Jim, what do I tell my dad?”

“Tell him you’re from another planet.”

They laughed, then Brian draped an arm around Jim’s shoulder. “I was so scared. I thought Lou was gonna kick my ass.” He pulled Jim a little closer. “What did you say to Lou?”

Jim’s face lit with a wise-assed grin. “I said I’d been with dozens of girls and some move faster than others, and pushing it would have the opposite effect. I told him that if a guy apologizes it makes the girl think you’re manly to say you’re sorry.”

Brian bumped him sideways. “Dozens of girls, huh?” He laughed as he sucked in Jim’s sexy cologne. “We made a good crime-fighting duo, huh?”

Jim nodded, said nothing, and blushed.