Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 53529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Geez. Thanks. “Sure. Why not?” All of two people will probably see the image, but whatever. I raise the sleeve of my checkered shirt and flex.
“Did you bring your cape?” he asks.
“No.” I only wore it once for River.
“Oh.” He walks away.
Great. What’s a guy got to do around here to get some major buzz?
I suddenly think of Luna, the reporter.
I dig my phone from my pocket and give her a call.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite hero-in-denial.”
“I’m actually in LA, not Egypt,” I joke, trying to be charming.
“Umm…”
That was a flop. I have no choice but to shoot straight. “Hey, I need your help.”
“Anything for you.”
“I need to know where I can be seen—you know, out having fun.”
“The entire city’s in lockdown. Haven’t you been paying attention to the news?”
“I’ve been a little busy.” Having lots of sex, getting nabbed by a chemist, and jerking off at my parents’ house.
“Well, no one is having fun right now. Though, I am crashing a super-secret end-of-LA party tonight. I’m bringing a news crew and reporting on it.”
That sounds perfect. “Can I tag along?”
“Maybe. What do I get in return?” she asks coyly.
“What if I told you that the mad chemist didn’t poison LA or anywhere else?”
She gasps. “You’ve been talking to him?”
“Maybe.”
“Do you have proof of what he’s saying?” she asks.
“No one is going to die tomorrow because of his drug. That’s proof, right?”
“Not really. The city’ll be up in flames before then. But why would officials lie about it?” she asks.
“It’s a long story, but what if I can get the chemist himself to give an interview and explain everything?”
“Ohmygod. Can you?” Luna sounds like she’s on the verge of a squeal.
Morris gave me a number where I can reach him. “I can try.”
“And all you want is an invite to this party?”
“I need you to be my date tonight,” I add.
“Date?”
“Yeah. And I need the world to see you and me together.”
“Together how?”
“Kissing,” I explain.
“Tongue or no tongue?”
Uhhh… “I guess tongue? It has to look convincing.”
“I’ll do it if you tell me why. And I want details.”
I give it some thought. Just in case things go sideways on me, it might be good that someone else knows the full truth about what’s going on. The race to make more Huffs.
“Where do we meet?” I ask.
“The club is called the Randy Unicorn. Be there at seven. I’ll text you the address. Oh, and you’ll need a suit, but don’t worry. I know a guy downtown who can hook you up.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Hands down, that was the strangest tailor shop I’ve ever been in. The tailor had this little white dog that kept staring like it wanted to eat me, and there was this huge moth that kept following me around, trying to get in my pants.
Anyway, I have my suit—black, sleek, fits like a glove—shiny black leather shoes, and a bright red tie with white and blue stars. Very patriotic. I feel like a million bucks, except for the fact that River is being held prisoner.
It’s what I’ve always feared: River being used as leverage to get to me. I just never expected my own brother to do the using.
I hope my plan to become a very public superhero works. Kyle needs to see that if he wants me, he’ll have to come for me. No more hostage situations. No more playing this game their way in the shadows. I’m making the rules.
I show up to the building downtown and wait out front for Morris. I told him I need to see him right away.
As I’m waiting, people wearing really formal duds or outrageous outfits—togas, a beehive hat, a vampire costume—are filing inside, giving me side looks like they recognize me but can’t recall from where.
“Hey. What’s so urgent? I’m in the middle of centrifuging your cum.”
I turn, and Morris is standing there in a white lab coat with little beige splatters all over it. Kind of reminds me of pancake batter.
“What happened to you?” I ask.
“Little accident with your cup, but I was able to scrape off what I needed.”
“That’s my…?” Gross.
Morris looks me over. “Nice suit.”
“Thanks. It’s for this party.” I jerk my head toward the entrance.
“Well, it was nice of you to invite me, but as you can see, I’m in the middle of something.”
He thinks I want to party with him? “Well, too bad you can’t join me, but since you’re here, I need you to go public and tell everyone you didn’t poison the city’s water, that it was all a lie.”
“Why do you want me to do that?”
“Because Kyle took River, and I need you to give an exclusive interview to a friend of mine.”
“I’m not connecting the dots, but I don’t have time for this, Huff.” He points to a clump of man-goop on his lapel. “I have hours of chemical analysis to complete.”