Free (Mis)fortune by Melissa Haag Page A

him and turned slightly to look at Nana’s window, fully listening.  He tilted head, watching me.
    Nana rattled off four characters, paused, and said four more.  “Just pick?” she questioned the person at the other end.
    “Pick the first one,” I said over the pain.  Emmitt’s eyes widened slightly at my volume.  I could barely hear myself over the thumping in my head.  The information spilled from my mouth.  “Ride for a one point six increase then drop it.”
    The pain abruptly disappeared, and I sighed before I could catch myself.  Emmitt still watched me, his expression carefully blank.  His striking, dark blue eyes saw too much.  My pulse picked up as I noticed details my headache had obscured.  His damp hair.  How close he stood.  The concern still in his eyes.
    In the background, I heard Nana repeat my recommendation and wanted to cringe.  Instead, I forced my face to relax, keeping it bland.  How could I have been so stupid?  So obvious?
    Emmitt’s calm gaze gave nothing away.  “We were still thinking of going to the lake after breakfast.  Nana went for groceries this morning.  Will you come with?”
    I nodded slowly, waiting for what would come next.  Questions I couldn’t...wouldn’t...answer.  But he didn’t say anything about my headache or spontaneous yelling.
    Instead, he nodded at my clothes.  “You might want to change.”
    I looked down at myself and winced.  I still wore lounge pants and a baggy t-shirt.  Fuzz coated my teeth.  A blushed crept into my cheeks as I looked up at him again.  Amusement twinkled in his eyes.
    *    *    *    *
    Driving to the lake posed a bit of a problem.  My truck, technically, fit three; Nana’s cute car fit four; Jim apparently didn’t own a vehicle; and Emmitt had his bike.  Clearly, I didn’t want to drive, which meant tagging along with someone else.  Jim suggested we leave the truck because it drank gas and go with the motorcycle and car.  Everyone looked at me, and I didn’t immediately understand why.
    Nana spoke up.  “It would be safest if the kids rode in the car.  That leaves the front seat open for someone while the other two follow on the motorcycle.”
    Oh.  I looked at Emmitt and Jim.  Well, I couldn’t see them riding together.  Jim had a smirk on his face as he watched me have my epiphany.  It would serve him right if I insisted on driving with the kids.  I shifted my attention to Emmitt’s ever-watchful gaze.  He hadn’t questioned me when I acted weird before.  I owed him.  The thought of being so close set my stomach twisting and jumping.
    “Do I need to go change, again?”  I wore shorts over my swim bottoms and a t-shirt over the top.  Sandals covered my feet.
    “No,” he assured me.  “You’ll be completely safe.”
    I didn’t contradict him but knew differently.  Not about the bike but about the stupidity of going to the lake or anywhere public now that my headache was gone.  However, after agreeing to it and my weird behavior this morning, I didn’t think there was a way to back out quietly.
    Mentally sighing, I smiled slightly at my brothers who excitedly spoke to Jim.  If our freedom was limited, I couldn’t rob them of today’s adventure.  The problem of Blake would still be there after the lake.
    I helped the boys buckle in and told them I would follow them.  They didn’t seem to care as they began to pepper Nana and Jim, who had already claimed his spot in the front seat, with questions about sand castles, swimming, and picnics.  This whole experience would be new to them.
    Emmitt waited for me by the bike.  He sat first and held it steady while he pointed out where I should place my foot to swing my leg over.  He didn’t say anything about where to put my hands once I was on, though, and my palms started to sweat.  I mounted quickly without touching him and landed with a thump that bounced the bike slightly.  I mumbled an apology and reached behind me to