Page 58 of Cosplay & Consequences

“I’m grossed out and going to sit in the car,” Faye declared, heading to Danny’s BMW.

Danny rolled his eyes and ignored our teasing. Kneeling down, he plugged the device into a port under the dashboard. I didn’t even know it was there.

“How long has your check engine light been on?” he asked, turning the ignition.

I pressed my lips together. “I refuse to divulge that information as I feel that will lead to mockery. What are you doing?”

“Checking the error codes on your car,” Paige explained. “You can plead the fifth if you want, but all your car sins are about to be revealed.”

I opened my mouth to ask how they knew so much about cars when I remembered the pictures of Danny and the bearded man working on cars in his dressing room.

Danny chuckled, playing around with the device for a moment or two before standing up straight. I couldn’t tell from his expression what his doohickey had discovered.

“Is it bad?” I asked.

“It’s not horrible. Nothing that can’t be fixed quickly.” He pulled out his phone.

“Robby?” Paige asked.

“Robby,” Danny said with a nod as he placed a call. He reached into his pocket and with his free hand tossed a set of car keys to Paige.

“Who’s Robby?” I asked.

“Family friend,” Paige replied as she caught the keys before turning to Danny. “You don’t want us to stick around?”

Danny shook his head as “Robby” had answered his call. “Robby! It’s Danny. I know it’s late, but would you be able to get to the studio and get us a tow back to the garage? I don’t want to ruin any plans you might have with the kids. You’re too good. I don’t suppose we’d have a solenoid for a 2009 Honda Civic in stock? Outstanding. See you soon.”

“So, we’re waiting for Robby?” I asked, mostly because it seemed like saying “Robby” was now a thing and rolled with it.

“He’ll be about twenty minutes,” Danny said with a nod.

The BMW roared to life and pulled out of the parking space at high speed. It quickly turned ninety degrees before screeching to a halt. Danny did not seem to approve as he gave Paige a scowl as she rolled down the window. Faye paid no heed to the driving, as she had her eyes trained on the anthology I gave her.

“See you back at the hotel!” Paige shouted.

“Could you please treat my car like you’re not about to go on a drag race?” Danny pleaded.

“Who? Me?” Paige asked with big innocent eyes. She even batted her eyelashes. Then she revved the engine.

“You’re baiting her,” Faye said without looking up from the book.

Paige gave us her most devilish of grins. She gunned the engine hard multiple times before peeling out. Within seconds she had zoomed out of the parking lot.

I tried not to laugh as I turned back to Danny whose lips were pursed.

“I love your sister. Unabashedly love her,” I gushed, partially to needle him.

“Is that because you think she’s awesome or because it amuses you when she annoys me?”

“Yes,” I replied simply and watched as Danny’s annoyance slipped into amusement.

Now that I wasn’t stressed out about my car, I took in his appearance… hair slicked back and still damp from a recent shower. An old ratty t-shirt from an elementary school fundraiser stretched tight against his chest with the sleeves struggling to contain his biceps. A pair of sweatpants with stripes running down the side and a simple pair of sneakers completed his look. It was the most casual I had ever seen him.

“I feel like I’m being judged for my fashion choices,” he said, observing me, objectifying him.

My cheeks grew hot. “Well, this is the most relaxed I’ve ever seen you. Maybe a little too relaxed.”

He chuckled and leaned back against my car. “Well, I’ve either been in a suit, jeans, or a scratchy tunic and leather pants these last couple days. After tonight, I thought I deserved some comfort.”