by C. C. Ekeke
“Yeah,” Spencer answered, glaring daggers into her sister.
The room temperature felt like an oven as she saw Dr. Michelman still gawking.
“Spencer, where are your manners?” He fixed his expression into a polite smile. “Introduce us.”
Spencer was beside herself over her father’s weird reaction to Hugo. Regardless, she introduced everyone.
Rowan got all smitten and giggly when Hugo greeted her. Spencer glared until she calmed that shit down.
Dr. Michelman was genuinely polite, having to look up at Hugo, who stood a head taller.
Behind Daddy’s decorum, Spencer could see the probing intellect analyzing Hugo’s every move. She liked that even less. No part of Spencer wanted him to learn the truth about Hugo.
But something familiar to Hugo and her father’s interaction tickled Spencer’s brain like déjà vu. But she couldn’t figure out what.
“Anyway,” Hugo stated after a few minutes of small talk. He moved to Spencer’s side, kissing her cheek. “I should get back home.”
Thank God. “Okay.” Spencer stood on her tiptoes to peck his mouth. “I’ll walk you to the door—”
“Nonsense,” Dr. Michelman declared with a hand chop. “Join us for breakfast.”
Spencer gulped down hard. Rowan clapped in agreement.
Hugo glanced from Dr. Michelman to a panicking Spencer. “Uh…I don’t want to interrupt.”
Rowan’s smile grew more obnoxious. “You won’t,” she refuted. “And it will annoy Spence.”
Spencer itched to slap Rowan’s face off. “Not as much as you are right now,” she seethed.
“Girls,” Dr. Michelman warned, then refocused on Hugo. “We haven’t met many of Spencer’s school friends besides her…” Disgust smoldered across his face. “Sensational Six Squad.”
Another subtle dig. The nickname had been meant to honor her father. Spencer averted her eyes. “You don’t have to,” she pleaded.
But Hugo’s jaw set as if he’d made his choice.
“Yeah.” He draped a protective arm around Spencer. “I’ll come.”
Her father offered a taut smile. “Then it’s settled.” He spread his hands wide. “I know just the place.” Dr. Michelman pulled out his phone to make a call.
Spencer wanted to crawl into a corner and hide forever. Why did Hugo have to be so decent?
His questioning stare seemed to ask: You okay?
Spencer ignored him and pulled out of his grasp. “I’ll throw something on,” she announced and stomped out of the kitchen. The sooner this happened, the better.
“I’ll join you!” Rowan said, bouncing on her heels.
“That Hugo kid’s built like a superhero,” Rowan gushed once in the safety of Spencer’s bedroom on the second floor. “You sure he’s only sixteen?”
Spencer savored a smirk. Her sister was annoying but correct. “I like my boytoys looking like men,” she bragged and headed to one of her walk-in closets.
After a text exchange with friend Natalie Rodriquez over what clothing combos to wear, Spencer dressed quickly. She’d rather not leave Daddy and Hugo downstairs discussing her for long.
She paired tight white jeans to flatter her curvy hips and a mustard-yellow crop top covered in white polka dots with low, frilly shoulders. Rowan did her makeup, which her sister was shockingly good at. Spencer finished the look by pulling her hair into a tight, glossy low ponytail parted down the middle.
Rowan gave the thumbs-up. “You’re so pretty, sissy.”
The drive in the Mercedes G-Wagon to the restaurant stressed Spencer into heart attack territory.
Her family rarely let outsiders in. And not just because of their massive wealth.
Hugo sat beside Spencer, his hand in hers a lifeline as he spoke to Daddy and Rowan.
And Daddy kept probing about his background like one of his lab experiments. Spencer was losing her appetite, and her patience.
“You’re a…street dancer?” Dr. Michelman asked with an incredulous stare.
“Yep,” Hugo replied with pride. “My dance crew’s the Fab Phenoms.” He seemed relaxed and totally oblivious to her father’s relentless interrogation from across the passenger cabin as their driver weaved them through morning traffic.
That worried Spencer nonstop until Hugo turned and winked.
Spencer blushed and watched Hugo charm Rowan with his know-how of local touristy spots. Apparently, he loved the Harmony Headlands by Cayucos, one of Rowan’s favorite SLO County beaches.
You got this indeed, Spencer marveled.
She’d never felt this secure or good enough with J-Tom.
That was J-Tom’s fault for being this pure, good, and brilliant angel—and Spencer definitely wasn’t.
Being around J-Tom, soaking in her positivity was Spencer’s favorite drug.
It was why she had to keep scheming and toying with her girlfriend’s emotions. Without those defenses, Spencer knew how this story ended. J-Tom would see what a heartless bitch she was and leave her.
Why things with Hugo, also too good for her, were so different bewildered Spencer. It was like something inside her heart unlocked being in this weird and secret romance. Or were his secrets the main draw for Spencer?
Now if only he’d trust me with them, Spencer fretted while listening to Rowan and Hugo chatter away.
Twenty-plus minutes later, they arrived at Carmelo’s, Spencer’s go-to spot whenever she craved Michelin-star Italian food. Being out in downtown Paso during school hours was so weird.
Spencer felt none of the sunlit warmth pouring down from the heavens when she stepped out of the car. Her mind was on surviving this meal and getting Hugo away from Daddy.
But she never let go of Hugo’s hand. In return, he gave a gentle squeeze for reassurance.
Being in Carmelo’s main dining room felt so odd this early. Every table was empty, with morning sunlight needling through the window blinds instead of late evening dusk. Still, the room held a Renaissance vibe thanks to its paintings and photos of Italian sites decorating the cream-colored walls.
Hugo scanned their surroundings in awe. “I didn’t know Carmelo’s served breakfast,” he stated, pulling out Spencer’s seat before sitting beside her.
“They don’t,” Spencer answered.
“We’re regulars,” Dr. Michelman explained further. “So they make exceptions.”
Hugo’s eyes widened. “Got it.” He sounded amused by this. “Rich people problems.”
Spencer giggled. Rowan laughed outright. Even Daddy smiled. Was this progress?
After a slim female server glided to the table and took their orders, Dr. Michelman leaned back in his seat and continued his interrogation. “How long have you been sleeping with my daughter?”
Rowan’s jaw dropped.
Hugo looked like he’d swallowed a block of salt.
Spencer’s appetite was officially gone. “Daddy!” she bristled.
Dr. Michelman became annoyed and made a fist. “When is small talk not allowed?”
Of all the invasive things he could’ve asked. Spencer reached for Hugo’s hand under the table and mouthed to him, “Don’t answer that.”
But Hugo was solid like a rock—her rock. “It’s okay, babe,” he replied blithely. “We dated for like a month late last year. Then we reconnected yesterday after the…” He winced. “Ya know…the bombing.”
“Were you hurt?” Rowan asked, leaning in eagerly.
“Naw.” Hugo shook his buzzcut head of hair. “Just had my bell rung.”
“Hugo was inside Paso High’s library when it exploded,” Spencer chimed in. Better to reveal this before Daddy found out on his own. “He rescued Brie from the wreckage.”
Hugo shifted awkwardly in his seat after this.
Rowan’s eyes bulged while Dr. Michelman’s narrowed. “Really?” His tone shifted by a hairsbreadth, indicating serious interest.
Hugo looked down at his lap. “Brie pulled me back at the last second from t
he worst of the blast. I got lucky.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Two other kids didn’t.”
Spencer hated seeing him upset, slipping her hand around his waist to caress his back.
“I’m sorry, son.” Spencer’s father sounded sympathetic. “None of your friends, right?”
“My friends are safe, sir.” Hugo’s faint smile never reached his eyes. “But the other kids deserve justice.”
“Of course,” Dr. Michelman agreed. “Thank God the rest of your class survived.”
Hugo gave a listless shrug. “Yea…”
Spencer frowned. Hugo’s whole class had been in that library. How they had all gotten out so quickly remained unanswered.
“We heard your friend Briseis is doing better,” Dr. Michelman went on. “We’re visiting her after breakfast.”
Bother washed over Hugo’s face, but he hid it quickly. “Briseis is not my friend.”
The way he spat out Brie’s name made Spencer snort-laugh. She knew all about the HuBris saga, including how it wasn’t as one-sided as Brie had let on. But Spencer had no interest in rehashing to her family.
Dr. Michelman’s eyes widened briefly. “My mistake.”
“I hope the cops catch whoever’s behind this,” Rowan added.
Hugo’s face hardened. “They will be,” he swore from deep in his throat. “And that animal will pay.” His promise smoldered with hatred.
Spencer instinctively withdrew her arm.
Awkward tension hung over the gathering. The sounds of the restaurant staff in the kitchen grew louder.
For a heartbeat, Spencer was afraid of Hugo.
Then the boy shook off the vitriol and reclined in his seat. He seemed worn out.
Spencer remembered to breathe again and pushed the dark thoughts away. She resumed rubbing Hugo’s lower back, hoping that would comfort him.
A glance across the table revealed Rowan and Daddy exchanging bewildered glances.
“Let’s talk about something else,” Spencer declared, not asking.
Unfortunately, the discussion returned to Hugo and Spencer’s relationship.
“Is he your boyfriend, Spence?” Rowan teased.
Hugo gave Spencer a smug onceover. “Almost.”
She snorted and arched an eyebrow. “Nice try.”
Hugo recoiled with melodramatic dismay.
Rowan burst out laughing.
“I see the attraction,” Dr. Michelman said dryly, sipping on a glass of sparkling water. “Were you two friends first?”
Hugo glanced uneasily at Spencer. “Not exactly—”
“We despised each other,” she blurted out.
Rowan’s surprised stare danced from Hugo to Spencer. Daddy arched an eyebrow.
Hugo shot daggers at her. “Wow.”
Spencer rolled her eyes. “It’s true.” Still, she no longer considered him lower than an amoeba.
“But,” Hugo interjected, raising a finger to emphasis. “We got to know each other after Halloween last year, and things just...ya know...clicked.” The glowing look he gave Spencer left her grinning like a smitten idiot. Because she was smitten.
Ugh, who are you? And all this began with a drunken argument at some Halloween party.
Hugo grinned back and continued. “Your daughter will kill me for saying this. But she has a good heart.”
Spencer was a snowman under a burning sun. “Oh, stop,” she begged.
Rowan was getting overly emotional, both hands over her heart. What a romantic sap.
Daddy held her gaze, no longer the analytic scientist. “Glad to meet the boy who makes Spencer so happy,” he declared with the broad smile of an approving parent.
Spencer didn’t see that coming. But again, she refused to make his reaction mean anything.
Then Rowan had to ruin the moment. “I thought you and J-Tom were together,” she announced. “You guys did that road trip last summer to LA—OWW!”
Spencer kicked her stupid sister under the table. Today was stressful enough without feeling guilty over that. “J-Tom and I aren’t exclusive,” she snapped. “Just like with Hugo.”
The kitchen door swung open. Hugo glanced over his shoulder. “Food’s coming,” he announced.
“Thank God!” Spencer declared.
Once their food arrived, the conversation became harmless, with Hugo and Spencer guessing when Paso High might reopen. Whenever Hugo asked Rowan about prep school, she kept her answers super vague.
Spencer respected her flawless poker face when lying. Daddy had trained her well.
Two hours and five delicious courses of breakfast later, Spencer had stuffed herself stupid. She still had a bone to pick with her father’s questioning, but that could wait until they returned home.
The driver dropped Hugo off one street over from his house, and for good reason. A few news vans were parked on his street. Poor kid.
When Spencer exited the car with him, they stood on the sidewalk in front of some mediocre houses. She had to crane her head back to look up at him. “Call me later?”
Hugo nodded. “Sure you’ll be okay?” He was caressing her cheek with feather-light fingers.
She shivered happily and stepped back. “I’ll manage,” she replied in a small voice. “Dr. Michelman will have his fill of playing dad and leave soon.” She cringed at how bitter that sounded.
Hugo had on his concerned face again and took her hands in his own. “I’d say come over. But there’s the shit with my uncle,” he said with a snarl.
“Sione,” Spencer scowled, remembering what Hugo had revealed about his freeloading loser of an uncle. It was getting weird how Hugo’s problems were now bothering her. “What are you gonna do?”
Hugo gave a frustrated shrug. “Kick his ass, maybe.”
“If you want to drive him away without laying a finger on him,” Spencer offered, “just text me.”
That won a big smile out of Hugo. “I’ll keep that in mind, schemer.”
“Don’t you forget it,” Spencer sassed. She would rather spend the whole day with Hugo if she could.
Hugo leaned down and drew her into a slow, sensual kiss, grabbing a palmful of her bottom.
Spencer melted into him while her family watched from the car. But she didn’t care who saw.
Once they came up for air, she pushed Hugo away and grinned. Her need for him made her head spin. “Bye, Bogie.”
“Bye, marshmallow,” Hugo murmured. His eyes were definitely lust-glazed.
Spencer walked away clutching Hugo’s hand until growing distance forced her to let go.
She hopped into her car and closed the door.
As soon as Hugo began slinking between two houses to reach his home on the next street over, Daddy signaled the driver to pull away.
Spencer was already missing Hugo as the neighborhood shrank in the rearview window.
She whirled to face her father.
Dr. Michelman raised a silencing finger. “Hugo’s a good boy,” he remarked stiffly. “Right, Rowan?”
“Yeah,” her sister agreed, toying with her longish hair. “Don’t ditch this one too soon.”
Spencer stared at her family and their odd behavior. “I don’t plan to.”
Once they reached the 22 freeway back to downtown, her father lowered his finger. “Go ahead.”
“What the hell was that interrogation?” Spencer yelled, not caring if she came off rude.
Rowan spoke first. “Hugo lives in the same neighborhood as Zelda and Aunt Betty.”
Spencer narrowed her eyes. Of course she’d noticed but chalked it up to coincidence. “So?”
“Do they know him?” her father asked.
Spencer threw up her hands. “I asked and they said no. What does that matter?”
“Hugo’s a good liar.” Dr. Michelman pinned Spencer to her seat with dagger-like eyes. “And a super.”
Spencer almost swallowed her tongue. Given her father’s profession, she shouldn’t have been shocked that he’d figured it out. “I’m not sur
e,” she lied.
Rowan guffawed.
Dr. Michelman’s glare turned contemptuous. “Don’t lie to me, Spencer Giselle Michelman.”
Seeing no other avenues, Spencer sighed and confessed. “Yes.”
“What can he do?”
She had no intention of revealing Hugo’s psychic abilities. Daddy would take drastic action if he found out. That frightened Spencer down to her soul. “Enhanced durability. Superstrength for sure.” She hadn’t discovered those until yesterday.
Dr. Michelman coolly scratched his clean-shaven jawline. “Explain.”
Spencer steeled herself before getting started. “When Hugo rescued Brie during the library, she was bruised and cut up and got a concussion.” She eyed both Rowan and her father closely for their reactions. “Hugo didn’t have a scratch on him or anything.”
“Maybe he’s got a healing factor too,” Rowan suggested, staring out her window.
Spencer decided to be more truthful. “I’ve known about him since the start of school last year,” she admitted. “I got close to Hugo to find out what his powers were. The problem…” She paused and glanced away. Everything had gotten all hot and fuzzy. “I started liking him for real.”
Dr. Michelman watched Spencer but was staring right through her. “Hugo might have enhanced senses as well. Smell, sight, hearing.” He put heavy emphasis on the last word.
Spencer went cold all over. No wonder her father had waited until they were a few miles away before speaking. “How would you know?” she asked.
“Call it a hunch,” Dr. Michelman replied impatiently and leaned forward. “Did you tell him about us?”
Spencer gasped. The accusation was insulting. “No!” she squawked. “I know the rules.”
Dr. Michelman was unmoved by her outrage. “Do any of your friends know about him? Or Aunt Riva?”
Spencer’s nostrils flared. “I’ve told no one about Hugo,” she shouted.
Dr. Michelman watched her for several seconds. “Keep it that way,” he eventually stated and reclined.
The chill in Spencer’s body deepened, having nothing to do with the air-conditioning. Her father suspected something about Hugo that he wasn’t sharing. “What’s going on, Daddy?”
“You think he might become like a supervillain?” Rowan asked.
