Free Primal Threat by Earl Emerson Page A

grass toward the house. “But it’s Seattle U.”

    Back inside the pool house, Zak met his father and asked, “How did you get this job?”
    “They called you and wanted some work done. Said they met you at your fire station and learned you did this kind of work off shift. You were mountain biking in Moab for eight days, and they were in a hurry, so I offered my services. I didn’t think you would mind. I told you about it. Why? Is something wrong?”
    “Not a thing.”
    Zak was in the sun again when the girl walked into the yard combing her hair, which hung past her shoulders. She had changed into a short denim skirt, a chartreuse blouse, and flip-flops. Unbeknownst to her, Kasey and the young man Zak remembered as her boyfriend were in the window behind her, the boyfriend making crude motions in front of his chest. Zak thought he was making fun of Nadine until his own well-endowed sister came into view.
    Nadine walked close and said, “What’s that on your arm?”
    “It’s a scar from a mountain biking accident in Moab.”
    “It doesn’t look too bad.”
    “Not now, it doesn’t. It’s five weeks old.”
    “Where’s Moab?”
    “Utah. It’s a destination spot for mountain bikers from all over the West. It’s got huge rock trails. They’re fun, but they’re like sandpaper when you crash on them.”
    Nadine paused before her next question. “You wouldn’t have time to play tennis with me tomorrow morning, would you? All of my friends are bugging out on me.”
    “I thought you were on the school team.”
    “I’m not healthy enough to play with them yet.”
    “Sorry. I’m busy tomorrow. Thanks for asking, though.”
    “I guess you don’t remember you promised to play me.”
    “I guess I did, didn’t I?”
    “You said when I got better. I’m better now.”
    “Tell you what. I’m working a twenty-four-hour shift tomorrow, and we don’t get off until Thursday morning at seven thirty. On Thursday morning I could be somewhere at eight.”
    “Perfect. My first class isn’t until one. How about the courts at Green Lake? Just north of Evans Pool?”
    “You have a deal.” Zak wasn’t sure why he was agreeing to this. He had a sixty-mile bike ride planned that afternoon.
    On the drive home, Zak looked over at his father in the passenger’s seat. “How long is that job going to take?”
    “Another couple of weeks. They keep giving me other things they want done.”
    “You should probably get out of there as soon as you can.”
    “The old man’s running things, not his son. And I admit, the son is pretty full of himself.”
    “I think he’s cute,” said Stacy, who was sitting in back with her feet propped up on a tub of spackle Zak had bought the night before and left in the van. “He’s taking me to a show at the Paramount in a couple of weeks.”
    “Jesus, Stace. He’s ten years younger than you are. Maybe twelve.”
    “Look who’s talking. I heard you setting up something with his sister.”
    “We’re only going to play tennis. Besides, she’s got a boyfriend, so it’s not a date. She just needs a tennis partner. I don’t want you to go out with him. He’s conceited and self-absorbed and…Haven’t you seen the way he orders Dad around?”
    “He’s been very nice to me.”
    “I don’t mind,” added Al.
    “Trust me on this. Don’t go out with him.”
    “Whether you want to admit it or not, I’m a big girl, Zak. Believe me, if he’s a jerk, I’ll know what to do. And I saw the way she was looking at you. It’s not just tennis she wants. She’s like…what…sixteen?”
    “She’s in college.”
    “Just don’t be such a hypocrite.”
    Because she was partially right, Zak found himself fuming over the tennis date. There were at least three good reasons he shouldn’t have agreed to it. One, Nadine Newcastle was rich, and Zak had a habit of antagonizing rich folks. Two, she had a boyfriend. Three, he was attracted to her. He liked her spirit, and he liked her