Untouchable (Untouchables, #1)

by Sam Mariano

Keeping my eyes on the French fry I’m breaking apart, I ask Carter, “What do you think my weaknesses are?” “What?” I glance up at him, but he looks genuinely confused by my question. “My weaknesses. When you look at me, when you appraise me the way I’ve seen you do other people, you sum me up and slide my traits and tendencies into boxes. We all do it, it’s how we process people. In your opinion, what are my weaknesses?” This question makes him uncomfortable. I see it in the way he shifts his position and breaks my gaze. Uncomfortable because he wants to get into my pants and figures offending me isn’t the best way to get there, or uncomfortable because he’s using my weaknesses to his advantage, and doesn’t want to tip his hand? If it’s the latter, he’ll lie. Try to misdirect my attention to some weakness he doesn’t find useful, maybe something that isn’t even a weakness at all. “I don’t think you’re weak. I told you, I think you’re strong as hell.” “I know. I believe you. But every person, no matter how strong, has weaknesses. That’s part of being human. People are imperfect. What do you think mine are?” “You don’t like football.” I slant him a mildly unamused look. “I’m serious.” “You steal all the flat wings and leave me with the drumsticks,” he states. “That’s what you get for making me share. Come on, something real.” He ignores me, as is his way. “Why are they called drumsticks, anyway? Drumsticks are long and skinny, they don’t look a thing like chicken legs.” “I wi...