Drafted (Para-Military Recruiter Book 1) by Renée Jaggér & Michael Anderle

Author:Renée Jaggér & Michael Anderle [Jaggér, Renée]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2022-11-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

It was past nine when Julie brought Genevieve to a halt in the garage, stifling a yawn. She picked up Hat and planted him on her head.

“Easy!” Hat barked.

“Shhh. You’ll wake Lillie, my landlady. She’s always asleep by this time.” Julie pulled out her backpack and closed the car door, traipsing across the garage.

“Landlady? Don’t you even own this ramshackle place?”

“That’s my home you’re talking about, and no, I don’t own it. This is New York City. Do I look like a trillionaire to you?”

“That’s got to be an exaggeration,” Hat muttered.

When she reached the top of the stairs, Julie flicked on the lights. “Home sweet home.”

Hat paused, and she sensed Hat staring at her apartment. He seemed at a loss for words and retreated to her mind. You live here?

Julie took off Hat and set it down on the kitchen table, then rummaged in a cabinet for bread. Yes, I do live here, and I happen to like it.

It’s...not much, Hat tried diplomatically.

It was a relief to have someone to talk to as she started assembling a ham sandwich. It’s all I want. My own space, you know?

Hat turned on the table. I do like the bookshelves. Pity about the view. And the kitchen. And the space. And—

I get it, I get it. Like I said, I just needed my own space, Julie told him. She added some lettuce. She’d probably die if she didn’t eat something green at some point.

Your own space? Why? Hat asked.

Well, you know. I needed to move out. Spread my wings. Julie snorted as she cut her sandwich in half. Get away from my mom.

Your mother treats you poorly? An edge crept into Hat’s voice.

No, nothing like that. She’s just... Julie flapped a hand. She drives me crazy sometimes. I wanted to see if there was more to life than the ‘burbs.

Hat hopped to face her as she sat at the table. Was there more to life?

Julie’s cheeks warmed. Not until recently, to be honest. I did more reading than anything else, not unlike in high school.

I did notice your excellent grades. I wondered why you didn’t try to pursue higher education with your 4.0 GPA.

Hey! Have you been snooping in my records? Julie raised an eyebrow.

Hat’s brim curled like he was shrugging. It’s what I do. So, why didn’t you?

I don’t know. I guess there wasn’t anything I was invested in studying. My mom said she wouldn’t let me go into student debt just to learn things for the sake of learning. Julie grinned. Even though that’s one of my favorite things.

I noticed in the greenhouse. Hat cocked to one side. I detect a message from someone named Sam on your mobile device.

Julie had almost forgotten about Stingy Sam. Ugh. Don’t even ask. One of my few and unsuccessful forays into dating. I should’ve stayed home reading. I love learning, and making friends with people is hard.

Really? Hat quipped. That’s not what the data shows.

What data? Julie bit into her sandwich.

Well, you do have an Aether prince.

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