Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi Page A

been there to see that happen.
    “I think I broke it, actually. I’ve been training a ton, and I’m pretty strong.”
    Chris couldn’t believe his ears. His day couldn’t have gone better. “I can’t wait to see him in school tomorrow. He’s going to be so embarrassed! To be shown up by a girl! Lawlz!” He caught himself too late. “Um, not that there’s anything inferior about girls.”
    For the first time, Peyton laughed. He’d made her laugh! “Yeah, don’t worry. I know what you mean,” she said. “And thanks. For listening and stuff. And for shooting hoops with me. Basketball always makes me feel better.”
    His heart was pounding again. “I’ll listen anytime,” he said. “And shooting hoops was fun. I’d love to try it again sometime.”
    “It’s a deal,” she said. When she held out her hand, he took it in his and shook, shocked by the tingle of electricity that passed between them. He wondered what it’d be like to hug her. To hold her. To feel her body against his. He’d probably go into cardiac arrest.
    She dropped her hand quickly, and he wondered if she’d felt the jolt, too. Her expression was unreadable.
    “Anyway,” she said. “Let’s go find my dad.”

Chapter Ten
     
    Peyton followed Chase down the aisles toward the Garden and Patio section. He pushed open a door and led her into a large, colorful greenhouse. The walls of the house were blocked off with metal, but the glass ceiling was still uncovered and let in the last of the evening light. Lush emerald vines loaded with plump ripe tomatoes and shiny yellow peppers climbed brightly painted trellises in the center of the room. Fresh herbs sprouted from small planters lining one wall. Carrot tops poked through the dirt in a trough.
    She twirled around, impressed, taking it all in. “This is amazing,” she remarked. “When you said you grew your own food, I figured maybe you had a few raspberry bushes or something.”
    “With all the mouths to feed we needed more than that,” Chase explained. “So Tank rigged this up a few years ago. Spud’s our resident gardener—when he’s not stuck in a cage and waiting to morph into a monster, that is.” He rolled his eyes.
    Peyton wandered over to a tomato plant, salivating. “Can I…?” she asked. “I haven’t had any fruits or vegetables that didn’t come from a can in four years.”
    “Be my guest.”
    She snapped a small tomato off the vine and bit into it. The juicy sweetness filled her mouth and she practically moaned with pleasure. “Oh, God. This is so good,” she said with her mouth full.
    Chase laughed again. “When you’re done with your orgasm, come outside and see what I really wanted to show you.” He walked to the far side of the greenhouse and unlocked a metal door. Curious, she followed, still munching on the tomato.
    Outside, she found they were in a small section walled off with cinder blocks but open to the night air. Chase pointed. “Basketball,” he said. “Just like old times.”
    “Wow,” Peyton marveled. It was a portable pole and hoop that he’d clearly relocated from the Gaming section inside. She took the last good bite of her tomato. “I haven’t seen one of these in four years. Virtual or real.”
    He grabbed a grungy ball off the ground and tossed it to her. She caught it and dribbled a few times. The synthetic leather slapping against her palm brought back memories of days outside her house. She remembered Chase joining her that first time, right after Drew broke her heart. She hadn’t had any true feelings for him then; he’d just been a boy with a crush. But afterward…
    It was best not to think of such things.
    “No? Well, then that gives me the advantage,” Chase boasted, and he lunged at her. She dodged quickly and dribbled around him toward the hoop. Raised the ball over her head and laid it up.
    “Damn,” she swore, as the ball bounced harmlessly off the rim and into Chase’s awaiting hands. “There was a day