“Okay, so you’re going to Outergen?”
“Yeah.”
“And then what?”
“What…?”
“You’re going to Outergen, and then what?” Brandon repeated softly, doing his best to disguise his frustration. “I don’t want to be rude. I really don’t. But that is by far the most absurd thing you’ve ever said. Going to Outergen, if you can even get to Outergen, with no plan? What are you going to do once you get there?”
“I don’t know,” Jioni went pale. “But I’ll figure it out.”
Brandon swept back his bangs to lightly massage his forehead. He turned away. “Okay, I get that the last few days have been crazy. But you don’t have to think crazy. Is this about the brochure? I said I’d help you find it.”
“Forget the brochure. Together, we can figure something out,” Jioni grabbed his hands without a second thought and immediately regretted it. His fingers were cold and stiff. “We can go to Outergen together if that’s why you’re upset.”
He let go. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re serious? You’re not thinking. Listen to yourself.”
Jioni didn’t reply.
“One bad idea after the next, and I can’t get a break stressing about you. When you start talking like that. When you start making that face, there’s no changing your mind. And reason goes out the door. How often do you have to get hurt before realizing risky behavior isn’t rewarding?”
