Something inside him crumbled.
He became consumed by the desire to gather him into his arms, to keep him by his side, to shield him from the world, to…
Was Zeke the glue for his cracked heart that he hadn’t even known he wanted?
But it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t get to find out.
He had one very important job to do: lead Squad E.
And that didn’t involve him catching feelings for his newest recruit.
Did it?
twelve
Zeke
Zekecouldscarcelybelieveit when the two-month mark came hurtling into view. The others were overjoyed—partly because their field assignments would begin again, partly because nobody had forgotten Noah’s promise of a night in the city. Zeke tried to wrangle free of it one night at dinner—the prospect of an evening alone with his books made him want to cry with joy—but Vitt laughed and threatened to drag him there in handcuffs.
Then he realised that this could be possibly his only opportunity to see Zaya. The night before the visit, he rang his sister from his bed. He’d spoken to her a few times already, keeping the conversation light and brief—fully aware that every call connected via his wristband was likely to have silent listeners lurking in the background.
“Hey Zee,” said Zaya, answering almost immediately. Noises of angry shouting in the background burst out from the speaker.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, just more riots. They’re still protesting the rationing bill that’s going to the vote next week. How are you?”
“I’m okay. We’re heading to the city tomorrow night to go to some nightclub the others like. There’s no way I’ll be allowed to leave my squad, but if you come meet us, I could slip away for a bit.”
“You’re allowed to come into the city?” Happiness entwined with shock coloured her voice.
“Just for the evening. We have a rest day the following day. It’s my last day of training tomorrow.”
“And then they’ll send you out to fight types? Fuck. Do you feel ready?”
The sound of Zaya’s voice, calm yet laced with worry, gently peeled back the armour he’d built around himself. “You should see me, Zaya, I’m utterly useless still.”
“Are you still a scrawny short-ass?”
“I have at least five percent more muscle mass, but yes. Don’t worry, I think you’ll recognise me.”
“I’m so excited to see you! Oh, Becca finally replied to me.”
“She did?”
Ever since Zaya sent him Becca’s details weeks ago, he’d tried several times to contact her. But despite his best efforts, she hadn’t replied to any messages or picked up his calls.
“Yep. She said she’d beenbusy.” What was Zaya trying to say? “I can ask if she’ll join us tomorrow?”
“Yes, that sounds—”
At that moment, the door flew open, and Splat and Luo entered. Their angry tones suggested they were arguing once again.
“I’ve got to go. I’ll ring later with the details of where we’ll be.”
Turning off the device, he turned his attention to Splat and Luo.
“Oh! Sorry Zeke. We thought you were fireside,” said Splat, sitting down next to him and slapping his leg. “You did great today! You crushed that last drill!”
