Chapter Twenty

 

If AJ’s nerves were ragged yesterday, today they were a train wreck, one synapse car disconnected from the last. His brain was definitely not wired to his ears–when Grandpa spoke to him this morning, it took a repeat or two before it registered with AJ what the old man actually said. Nothing important. Keep cool. Stay calm. We’ll figure it out. Just go to work and play along with Chaz so he doesn’t become suspicious. Like the annoying background noise of a television left on, Chaz only half-heard it as he moved through the house, half-drinking a cup of coffee, then walked toward the door.

Grandpa grabbed his keys. “I’ll drive you to work. In your state, you’re likely to walk into traffic without knowing it.”

His grandfather was right. His thoughts swarmed like thousands of bats crowded into a lidded container, all screeching and throwing themselves at the top, wanting to be first to get out. The most persistent thought screamed for him to make sure Cassiopeia was all right.

Grandpa parked the Caprice close to the door. As AJ reached for the door latch, his grandfather’s steady voice halted him. “Son.”

On autoresponse, AJ turned.

“Remember what I said. Keep your cool, boy.”

With a nod, he pushed himself away from the car. The sight of Chaz’s truck made his stomach churn, and his hands ball into fists. He walked, zombielike, into the building. Keep your cool. Keep your cool.

Unlike most other days, Chaz laid low, or worked elsewhere. AJ lingered at his locker, hoping to catch him. He scoured the Underwater Theater as he walked through. No Chaz. Where the hell was he? The one time AJ actually wanted to see him, he was nowhere to be found.

By rote, AJ went through his morning, reciting the Wilderness Cruise spiel as he steered the boat through the river a little too quickly. He docked it at lunch time and avoided the main pathway as he looked for Chaz. He bought a toasted fish sandwich and milk and ate as he walked, scouring the grounds for any sign of him.

For cover, AJ fell in step behind a group of people. He finally spotted Chaz, standing near the back of the banquet hall. He talked on his cell phone, gesturing, as if pleading. An overwhelming urge to choke him came over AJ.

Keep your cool. You’d land in jail, and he’d have her all to himself.

AJ ducked his head behind the tallest man. Still shorter than him by half a foot, the man’s girth more than made up for his lack of height, but their waddle was maddeningly slow. When Chaz flipped his cell shut, AJ slipped to the outside and rushed at Chaz. At the sight of AJ, Chaz’s face went blank with fear, and he glanced right to left as if gauging the best exit.

AJ caught his arm and drew him behind the building. “Chaz. So nice to see you. Somehow I missed you this morning.”

Chaz’s shoulder jerked. “I was late gettin’ in.”

AJ’s teeth clenched. “Why’s that?”

A helpless look came over him. “She’s a hazard, man.”

He tightened the grip on Chaz’s arm. “What did you do?”

Chaz twitched from his grasp. “I didn’t do nothin’. I went out to check on her, and she sent a wall of water over the side of the pool at me. I had to go back in and change. Stupid whale.”

AJ swallowed his giddy relief as he relaxed. She’d drenched him. He wished he could have been there to see Chaz, stunned and dripping wet like a stray mutt left out in the rain. But Chaz would only stand for so much of that.

“Keep your cool, man. She’s upset.” AJ tried to sound casual. “But you’re sure she’s OK?”

“She’s fine. Pissed, but fine.” Chaz grinned. “Oooh, is she pissed at you. I mentioned your name, she went ballistic all over again.”

AJ’s stomach tightened. “What do you mean?” Of course she hated him. She had every right.

Chaz laughed. “She flew around that pool like a water witch.”

AJ had to look away. A water witch. If only Chaz understood how stupid he really was.

Not stupid. Uneducated. He was dangerously smart, in all the wrong ways.

“I’m coming with you as soon as you leave.” AJ couldn’t make sure Chaz would sneak away without him, but at least now AJ knew where the trailer was.

But what if Chaz moved her? He could take her anywhere and AJ would never be able to find him. Oh, but he’d surface. You couldn’t hide a mermaid for long. Not when you wanted to make money from her.

Chaz’s face screwed up as if he’d eaten a sourball. “Nah, no need for that.”

AJ slipped into his cool demeanor. “We need to start training her, don’t we?”

“I don’t know. I guess.” Chaz pushed past him. “I gotta get back to work.”

AJ checked his watch. He’d have to sprint to the dock to be on time. “Me too. But remember, don’t leave here without me today.”

Watching Chaz strut away, AJ thought he could hate no one on earth more.