Coop shifts uncomfortably in his seat and shoots a hard look to Wes before closing his eyes a moment as if this were all too painful to hear.
Ellis shakes his head. “And what about now? Do you really think Demetri is spilling his guts and glory? I don’t think so. Chloe—Skylajust said there’s something brewing with Demetri. I’m not sure that dude ever tells the whole truth to anybody, not even to himself.”
I glance to Logan. “We don’t know what Demetri or Gage is thinking even when the tide is low. I don’t think there will ever be a time that we can put our guard down. Not today. Not after I reenter my body. Not after Celestra reclaims her rightful spot as the victor.” I take a breath as I look to Marshall. “And we will. I will seat you and your people back in the heavenlies as well.” I take in the faces of my closest friends, my comrades in arms, and soak in the moment. “I love you all. I’m so grateful for your support. I want you to know there will be no secrets between us. I will tell you what you need to hear, no matter how painful it is. And as soon as I’m returned to my body, I’ll let you know that as well.”
Laken shudders. “The sooner, the better. What can we do, Skyla? There must be something.”
“Yes, there is,” Wesley answers for me, and I startle for a moment as all eyes fall to him. “Cooper”—Wesley’s dimples invert—“whatever the hell you’re keeping from us, speak now or rue the day you decided you knew better and made the decision to hold out on us.”
Cooper looks momentarily stunned, but his expression quickly morphs into anger.
“What is it, Coop?” I ask. A part of me wondered if Wes was going to drag their never-ending grudge into the room, and he did not disappoint.
Logan shifts in his seat.
“Wes.” Coop takes a breath, and if I’m not wrong, I’d swear he just growled. “You are insane.”
Wesley’s chest bounces with a laugh. “No. Not by a long shot. I am completely within sanity’s bounds. It’s you, buddy, who’s lost it.” He glances to Laken. “Good old Coop here has a secret, Laken. If memory serves correct, you adore the hell out of those.” He raps his knuckles over the table before he stands. “Skyla”—he narrows his gaze over my eyes as if trying to seek me out in this strange flesh—“I’m here for you. I’m sure you’ll figure this out sooner than later. I’m going to head back and talk to Ezrina about creating a stable serum that can hide the markers effectively for the time span you determine. The last thing we want is something that fades too quickly. That could be just as dangerous.”
There’s a rustle at the entry, and we collectively turn our attention that way, only to find the devil himself among us.
Gage Oliver stands tall and stately, chest wide as that football field he used to worship.
“Hey.” He nods to the lot of us. “What’s this?” His left brow arches, along with his amusement. “A party I wasn’t invited to?”
Logan stands and so do Ellis and Brody.
“Relax,” Gage chides. “I’m not looking for a fistfight.”
Ellis chuckles under his breath. “Dude, we do not care what the hell you’re looking for. And you might just get that fistfight anyway. You’re a beast. An asshole of the highest order. The fact you stepped into Whitehorse shows you’ve got some imaginary big hairy balls.”
Gage cuts a glance my way. “I’m not here to see any of you. I have to speak with Ezrina.” He does his best to head in that direction, and Wes cuts him off at the pass.
“No can do, brother. I was about to pay her a visit. And seeing that I can’t stand your damn face, we’re not headed back there together. I win, you lose. Get used to the sound of that song. The chorus isn’t going to change.”
Gage takes a measured breath as he studies us all for a moment. “Fine. I’ll come back.” A wicked smile twitches on his lips. “I hope your little meet and greet went well for you.” He nods my way. “It’s good to see you trying.” He takes off the way he came, and a stilted silence clogs up the room.
Wes takes off. Ellis pulls me into a hard embrace and vows to help me get the hell back where I belong, and then Logan walks him to the stairs as they chat about something regarding the Christmas tree lot Logan owns and operates behind the bowling alley. Not too long ago he discovered he held onto much more acreage than he thought. He and Ellis even opened up a gym next door to the bowling alley.
Brody comes my way, his eyes wide and wet with moisture.
“Chloe?” he whispers as if he were speaking directly into his sister’s soul. “I’m proud of you.”
Gag me.Chloe is quick to contend the kind words.
“She says thank you”—I shrug—“in the only way she knows how.”
Brody belts out a quick laugh. “Don’t worry, Skyla. She can’t offend me. And believe me, she’s tried her best.” He gives me a pat on the arm while leaning in to look into my eyes. “Don’t screw this up, Chloe. You’re doing well. I’m going to help you any way I can. I will never forget about you. I will never let you down.” He brushes a soft kiss to my cheek before taking off.
You have a wonderful brother,I tell her.
Chloe remains silent, and I can feel her heart soar and break all at once.
Laken comes over while Coop stays behind looking at something on his phone, his lips twisting with worry.
“Skyla?” She shakes her head before hugging me once again. “I’m so very sorry.” She pulls back with tears in her eyes. “You have to know that I love you no matter whose body you’re in.” A tiny laugh bleats from her. “Words I thought I’d never say.”
“Yes, well, Gage has driven us all to places we never thought we’d go.”
