“Of course my Riri would take your balls,” Wyatt snickers. He looked twitchy, almost unhinged, until I fully explained everything.
I thought one of my best friends was going to kill me over some girl he hasn’t even known for a full month. I’d say his obsession is growing out of control, but I think that ship has long sailed. I know he thinks no one has noticed he’s been watching her more closely, but we’ve all seen it. It’s a waste though, it’s not like he can choose her. That’s been drilled into our heads for years. Another reason to hate this stupid process.
“She didn’t just take his balls she tenderized them,” Owen adds, heat alight in his brown eyes, visibly shivering at the thought of the pain.
“I’m glad I can be such a source of entertainment for you pricks,” I reply, willingly taking their jibes. I gave Wes hell, now it’s my turn.
“At least our pricks weren’t used as a punching bag,” Wes’s comment makes them all break out into hysterical laughter. The sound of voices traveling in our direction captures our attention, silencing us.
“Boys, are you in here?” Mr. Grant bellows, as he and my father step into our meeting room.
“Ah, here they are Alex,” my father states, tipping his head in our direction, as if Mr. Grant doesn’t see us at the same time he does, before continuing, “Boys we have some news.”
My father and I don’t have the worst relationship, but definitely not the same after what happened. However, if you compared ours to Wes’s with his father, he would be the father of the year.
“What’s up dad?” I probe, hoping they will say what’s needed and leave before the aforementioned Mr. Edgewood appears.
He grimaces in my direction, hurt evident. I know he wants the relationship we had before my attempted abduction, but I can’t let go of the role he played in it.
Clearing his throat, he imparts, “The Senator has been spotted on some of your software, we need you all to assemble and see if you can finally catch him revealing anything about the unknown organization.”
Shit.I pull my phone from the pocket of my PRPS jeans. With all our bantering I missed the notification. I’m not in trouble, I just wish I would have been the one to go to them instead of it being the other way around.
Apologizing, I say, “Sorry about that dad. I didn’t hear the notification ding on my phone.”
He and Wyatt’s dad wave me off. “No need to apologize, save that for moments when it’s warranted. Just go get us some useful information.” My father’s directive is clear, his hand pats my back, as he and Mr. Grant begin to leave the room.
Jumping up from my seat on the couch, my voice raises, urging everyone into action. “You heard them, let’s go.”
20
WES
Last night didn’t produce anything new. The damn Senator is elusive. We can never seem to get the right amount of intel.
“We should consider trying to find an in with someone in his office,” Wyatt suggests.
Owen’s eyes gleam, almost twinkling when he speaks, “We’re working on that. As a matter of fact, I have someone to kiss my blades after school.”
I would say I feel bad for whoever the unlucky bastard is, but that’d be a lie.
A mixture of laughter and voices signal the arrival of the girls, halting our conversation. Samantha and Summer strut over and take their seats, the remainder of the girls not too far behind them.God, take me now.
Pasting on a smile, Sam’s gaze fixes on me. Her voice seems demure when she asks, “Wes, why haven’t I heard from you or your team about being chosen? Time is almost up.”
I don’t acknowledge her and refocus on what Lev is saying. “You ready for the game this weekend? We’re supposed to be playing Dixon, and I hear they have a new QB that has a lethal arm and can run it in.”
“Wes.” Sam tries to gain my attention again.
I’m unsure how many ways I can get her to understand. No one questions me or tries to force my hand, ever. If she were going to be picked, she wouldn’t find out until the actual selection announcements anyway. So, why she’s even engaging me on this topic makes little to no sense.
The next time I refocus on the table, Wyatt and the guys discuss Ariah. Why they would be discussing that piece of trash is beyond me, but it only serves to add water to the proverbial grease fire.
A shrill tone suffocates the atmosphere, killing whatever good vibes we had.
“Wes!” Sam hisses out my name, making Summer’s shoulders recoil. She already knows this isn’t going to end well. Deafening silence thrums through the cafeteria. The rabid crowd smells blood in the water, and all traces of conversations have ended. They’re all waiting to see the spat one of their kings and self-dubbed queen are about to have.
Rising from her perch, angling herself in front of me, Sam demands, “Wes, do you not hear me speaking to you? Why the fuck have I not been chosen yet?”
