Chapter 13 #2
The bell chimes above the door, and I set my notebook aside to watch the customer with interest. If Ledger isn’t fucking with me, then everyone in this town is either something ‘other,’ or knows about it.
Either way works for me, but it wouldn’t hurt to have someone to commiserate with.
Or fact check what Ledger says… if I stick around after tonight, that is.
The guy’s completely focused on something in his hands, tinkering with it and not looking up as he approaches the counter. “Hey Ledger, sorry to bother you, but the damn thing is stuck and I need you to rip this piece off real quick.”
Auburn hair a tangled mess and silver rimmed glasses frame a face frowning in concentration.
A faded band t-shirt clings to his lithe frame, jeans sporting a few grease stains where he clearly wiped his hands on his thighs.
One shoe’s untied, and honestly, it’s a miracle he doesn’t trip on his way over with those purple bags he’s sporting under his eyes.
“Ledger’s on a supply run, but I could give it a whirl if you’d like.”
His head jerks up at the sound of my voice, fumbling the device, and I dive forward to save it a split-second before it crashes onto the counter.
The base of the cube is about the size of my palm, the sides constructed in a steampunk style of exposed gears and bronze embellishments.
On top though, a metal circle that’s supposed to lie flush against the surface is jammed a few centimeters from closing, the faint whir of groaning gears stealing my attention.
“What is it?”
Adjusting his glasses, he averts his gaze and stammers, “Oh, um, it’s not that interesting, really. Just something I’ve been working on.”
I whip out my phone, using the flashlight to peek inside. “It looks like a modified version of a seismograph.” Grabbing a paperclip, I bend it and slide it inside of the jammed circle, getting a feel of the internal mechanism.
His face lights up, bright green eyes sparking with excitement.
“Yes! So many security systems rely on cameras, which only catch the intruder after you’ve been robbed or murdered, and alarm sensors only trip when a door or window is opened.
That might scare off some, but for the smart criminals, they’ll already have researched police response times and be in and out before being caught.
I’m trying to develop an earlier alert system that doesn’t also alert the intruder, giving the homeowner the advantage.
I’m just having trouble calibrating the sensitivity and something came loose, jammed it. ”
From the corner of my eye, I watch a red flush spread from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. “Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble on about it, I know this stuff is boring and you were just being polite by asking. I’m working on dialing it back, I promise.”
If I hadn’t already assumed this was Ledger’s infamous roommate, that apology would have sealed the deal.
I wonder if he’s human too, or one of the supernaturals -mystics- that came here for protection.
I could see it after Ledger’s story of him getting dropped off on his doorstep; there’s just something about the guy that makes you want to wrap him up in a blanket and shield him from all the assholes in the world.
It’d be rude to come straight out and ask though, right?
Or worse, Ledger is fucking with me and I’ll make a complete idiot of myself in front of a cute guy.
“Are you kidding me? This is badass.” I feel the obstruction, carefully shifting it so it doesn’t wedge itself tighter or knock anything else out of alignment.
“And I’m the same way when it comes to talking about my projects.
Anyone that doesn’t understand what it means to be excited and passionate enough about something you could talk about it for hours, I feel bad for. Their lives must be incredibly dull.”
There’s a small snick as the mechanism is freed, falling shut as I remove the paperclip. Satisfied, I set it on the counter. “There you go, all fixed.”
Mouth parted, he simply stares at me, not making a move to take it back. “Thanks. So, you’re an inventor too, then?”
“Not to the same degree as you, I’m afraid. This is genius.” I check it over once more before reluctantly sliding it his way before I’m tempted to take it apart to see how it works. Resting my arms on the counter, I lean closer. “Promise it’ll be our secret?”
His gaze flicks to my lips and his blush deepens, Adam’s apple bobbing as he tugs on the collar of his shirt. “Yeah, of course. If you aren’t comfortable telling me that’s okay too, I get it. Inventions are pretty personal, and depending on patents, you don’t want anyone stealing your ideas, and-”
An amused chuckle slips out before I can stop it, and I rest my cheek on my fist. I like seeing him flustered. After everyone gawking at the new girl in town, it’s surprisingly refreshing that here’s Myles, living right next door to me and completely oblivious.
“Already patented, don’t worry. I’m just not ready to scream it from the rooftops until it’s officially ready to launch in beta.
I’m finishing up a universal game console that’s compatible with all of the main heavy hitters in the industry.
The biggest trick surprisingly was the legal mumbo jumbo, getting competing companies to see that this wouldn’t tank their own sales, but actually increase them exponentially.
After all, they may sell less consoles, but more than make up for it in game sales, tapping into a market that was previously out of their reach since so many have brand loyalty or can only afford one console and stick with them despite wanting to play certain popular games exclusive to another system, but can’t afford to invest in an entire set up for one game, so pass on it. ”
Sucking down a deep breath, I admit, “I’m stuck on the controller issue, though.
I can’t decide between converting all the commands to one universal controller, which would piss off some people because if they played the game on an original system, the controls would be slightly different.
Or making a port adapter so you can use the original controllers per system, but you’d need to swap it out for games that were originally on a different system, and have six controllers on hand, which sort of defies the point of a universal system, you know?
So many die hard gamers will die on their preferred hill that I’m just not sure which way to go. ”
The breath whooshes out of his lungs. “Marry me.”
Immediately, he smacks a hand over his face and starts apologizing profusely, but I can’t help but grin.
He’s cute. Really cute. And I doubt the man could lie to save his soul.
All the tension I’d still been holding onto since yesterday has faded away throughout our conversation, he’s that easy to talk to.
The bell above the door chimes, Ledger’s arms loaded up with bags. He glances my way as soon as he’s through the doorway, shoulders relaxing a fraction as he chuckles. “Can’t leave you alone for a second without someone swooping in, can I?”
I roll my eyes. “Myles was looking for you, actually.”
When Myles cants his head, I realize my slip up and grimace. “Shit, I’m an asshole. Ledger talks about you so much, I forgot you have now idea who I am.” I reach a hand across the counter. “I'm Ever.”
Staring at my hand like it’s going to bite him, Myles finally clasps my hand in his. He sucks in a sharp breath when his skin touches mine, fingers tightening around my hand and eyes widening. “Ever,” he repeats under his breath, almost reverently.
It’s a serious self-esteem booster.
Ledger pointedly clears his throat with an amused twist to his lips, and Myles shakes his head to clear it, clasping my hand tighter. “Myles. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ever.”
“Right back at ya.” I wink, a little thrill running through me as he audibly swallows and tries to discreetly shift his stance behind the counter. Taking mercy on the poor guy, I turn my attention to Ledger. “You've got to see what he made, it's impressive as hell.”
Ledger doesn’t even try to hide his wolfish grin, glancing between the two of us. “Of course it is. Myles is far too humble to admit it, but he’s a certified genius, especially when it comes to engineering.”
I take a second look at the cube as I start mulling over an idea out loud.
“I know you meant it for home defense, but this sort of technology could also be insanely useful for special ops. Depending on how finely tuned you can have it calibrate vibrations, soldiers would be able to tell how many criminals were inside a building so they wouldn't be going in blind. Could be used when thermal imaging isn’t an option, or when clearing areas that potentially have safe rooms or hidden passageways so they aren’t blindsided. ”
Myles blinks owlishly, his piercing green eyes wide. “I never considered alternative applications. That's genius.”
He glances down at himself, somehow manages to turn even redder, and blurts, “I have to go.” Snatching the device off the counter, he rushes out without a backward glance, leaving Ledger doubled over laughing, and me with the daunting realization that if I have to walk away tonight?
It’s already going to hurt.