Page 37 of The Hardest Hit

“Stop going to lunch with Nika then. You know she likes to go to all the hipster places. I don’t know how Max stands it.”

“Pretty sure he puts his foot down and they go places that serve actual food. Last time I went out with them they went to some Italian place that made me want to dunk my face in a plate of noodles.”

Evan tried to picture someone putting their foot down with Nika. “I’m having trouble with this whole concept,” he said.

“I know. But I’ve seen him do it! It’s weird! Anyway, compote aside—which believe I did shove over because I don’t think there was supposed to be curry in it, let alone whatever else was fucking in there—while we were at lunch, I spotted this guy taking our picture.”

“Mm,” said Evan.

Jackson looked up at him from where he was arranging the silver to a more precise angle. “Oh, Nika’s right. That is annoying. I wonder how often Immat her?”

Evan laughed. “I don’t know, but I’ve heard yoummGrandma, so I’m assuming often enough.”

“OK, but if it was me mm-ing, I’d be thinking: should I mention that I also have seen a photographer stalking me?”

“Yes, I have,” said Evan with a sigh.

Jackson grunted and leaned back folding his arms over his chest. “This, I don’t like.”

“It’s one photographer,” said Evan. “They show up occasionally. Hardly the second coming of Absolex.”

“I already looked into the photographer,” said Jackson. “He works for some rag called theIntelligencer. I’m about to sic Aiden on them.”

“Good,” said Evan with a shrug.

“Evan…” said Jackson, sounding frustrated.

“What?”

“When I was talking about being more careful and not taking unnecessary risks, this was the kind of thing I was talking about. All of you are supposed to tell me when you see shit like some rando photographer.”

“I only saw him a couple of times and I haven’t been doing anything that would embarrass anyone, so… he can run whatever photo he wants.”

“I don’t want him to run any photos,” objected Jackson, aggressively rubbing his eyebrows and then pushing his hands through his hair. “I just want people to fucking leave my family alone.”

Evan nodded sympathetically.

“Also, you walked to lunch,” said Jackson, glaring at him. “You said you would drive places.”

“It’s just lunch,” said Evan.

Jackson sighed. “Well, maybe you should stop riding the train for a bit.”

“Go fuck yourself,” said Evan.

“I wish I could,” said Jackson thoughtfully. “Other people say it’s fun.”

Evan snorted. “You’re an idiot.”

“As long as I get the laugh,” said Jackson.

“I’m careful,” said Evan. “And I listen to you more than Aiden ever does.”

“Yes, he routinely complains that you’re making him look bad.”

Evan paused with a water glass halfway to his mouth. “What do you mean?” He had no idea what his cousin was talking about. He was the fucked up druggie cousin. “How can I possibly be making anyone look bad?”

“Oh, come on,” said Jackson, in exasperation. “You’re always way more put together than the rest of us. But I believe Aiden has general complaints about a childhood’s worth ofwhy can’t you be more like Evan?”