Free Outside the Lines by Lisa Desrochers

“No.”
    â€œGood,” he says, wrapping his arm around me again and tugging me close. He tips his forehead into mine and stares into my eyes, and I can see all the demons swimming just below the surface in his. Despite his black-as-night irises, he’s always been so easy to read. “How’s fourth grade treating you?”
    I rake his sweaty platinum hair off his forehead. “Good. That place hasn’t changed at all since we were there. It’s a little scary.”
    His eyes go vacant for a second before recovering their wicked gleam. “Not much around here ever changes.”
    â€œIncluding my car. Frank needs plugs and an oil change. You have time to help?”
    He lifts his free hand and runs a fingertip down my nose. “Nope, because there’s something my best friend’s not telling me. But after I’ve pried it out of her, I’m all Frank’s.”
    So, I guess I’m pretty easy to read too. I breathe deeply and shift in his arms. “You’ve told me some of the stuff that happened over there . . . when you were deployed, but I know there’s stuff you haven’t told me.”
    He sits up, dumping me on the couch and reaching for a T-shirt on the floor. “Let’s get Frank those plugs.”
    As close as we are, he’s refused to really open up to me about all the things that still haunt him. I think he thinks he’s protecting me, but I don’t want him to.
    â€œChuck,” I say, sitting up and tugging him back down to the couch by his hand. “Why won’t you talk to me?”
    He plunks down next to me and rolls his head onto the back of the couch. “Because what’s past is past and nothing is going to change it. I’m dealing, so let’s just forget it, okay?”
    I settle into his side and he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I just want to help you.”
    He heaves a weary breath, and the devil-may-care front he puts up slips a little. “Ade, there are just some things a guy has to figure out on his own. But the fact that you care means a ton, and the best thing you can do if you want to help is to keep caring and not give up on me, okay?”
    â€œOkay.” I burrow deeper into his side and swallow back my tears. “I love you.”
    He presses his forehead into mine. “I know, Ade. Thanks.” He stands and holds out his hand. “Now let’s get Frank those plugs.”
    I roll Frank into the garage and we get greasy.
    â€œDid you tell your dad about your new job yet?” I ask, picking the right plugs off the shelf near the workbench.
    â€œNaw,” he answers from under the car. “So far it’s only been one or two nights a week, so I’m keeping up with the work here. No need to panic him out of retirement just yet.”
    I duck under the hood and pull the plug covers. “I can’t believe you’re an actual bodyguard.”
    â€œA guy from my unit hooked me up,” he says, banging around under there. “They’re looking for guys with military training. It’s the right basic skill set.”
    I grin. “Maybe some famous singer will fall in love with you, like in that old movie.”
    â€œI’m sure as hell charming enough,” he says from under the car, and I hear the smile in his voice.
    I laugh.
    â€œCould happen,” he says, rolling the dolly out from under the car and shooting me an amused look.
    â€œHave you bodyguarded anyone I’ve heard of?”
    â€œYes.”
    I lift my head in surprise as he stands. I don’t know who I thought needed bodyguards, but I was really just joking. “Who?”
    â€œCan’t say,” he says with a smirk. “It’s in my employment contract. Discretion is a big deal, I guess. My boss, Elaine, says it’s why she’s got the clientele she does, and why they’re willing to pay the big bucks for our services.”
    I push