“Okay, tell us you’re alright,” Dallas said. “We’ll talk sex with eleven men later. Reba said your mom was frantic when she called back.”
I winced. “I’m going to be as honest as I can, but… there are other things I have never told you. And I’m not really at liberty to tell you. Especially not when I’m nowhere near close enough to keep you safe.” Yep, they both looked at me with wide eyes. Now that those words were out, I couldn’t take them back. I chewed the inside of my cheek as I debated how to explain without actually telling them anything.
“So, I’m not from… America.” That was technically true. “My family, both parents and my few, found family, are… well, for an easily understood analogy, we’re hunted.”
“Why?” Dallas asked, moving closer.
I pressed my lips together while I tried to find a reasonably true explanation. Because of what we are? It made me think of the holocaust. Jews were exterminated simply for being born who they were. These types of genocides are throughout history. That word seemed the most appropriate, I supposed, even though it barely scratched the surface.
“Genocide,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. I didn’t want it to sound like a question.
Both of their jaws dropped as they stared at me.
“So, we went camping. Family vacation and all. The first one of all twelve of us together. While we were there, the government entity who is trying to destroy my people sent a bunch after us on the mountain.”
“The same mountain in Hawaii that suddenly died?” Reba asked carefully. “The one stripped bare from an unknown occurrence?”
I swallowed. No sense in lying now. “Yes. That mountain.”
Neither answered for a minute as they watched me. I wasn’t sure if they were waiting for me to elaborate or if they were working out questions in their minds. Eventually, Reba said, “I’m glad you’re all okay.”
Letting out a breath, I closed my eyes for a minute. “The truth is, we weren’t okay. Two of my men nearly died. Another two were injured pretty badly.” I paused as the lump in my throat prevented me from talking. “In the aftermath, I simply forgot about my phone in lieu of what was happening. So, when I say it’s not because you’re not important, I didn’t mean—”
“Stop,” Reba said, cutting off my words. “We get it. Thank you for telling us more than you’re probably allowed to. I appreciate your candor and honesty. You’re all okay now? Healing well?”
I glanced beyond the screen to the men sitting on the couch opposite me. They were no longer looking at their phone or book, but watching me. A smile touched both of their mouths.
“Yeah,” I said, my gaze on Taranis. “Everyone is healing well.”
“But you’re scared, yeah?” Dallas asked. “Scared that they’ll come back? It doesn’t stop, does it?”
I shook my head. “No, their hunting of us doesn’t stop. And yes, we’re worried about them coming back. They’ve already tried, but we have a security system that has prevented them from getting close.”
“I’m so relieved you work from home,” Dallas muttered, closing her eyes as I looked back at the screen.
“Anyway,” I said, “I just wanted you to know that it was actually very serious—the reason why I didn’t answer. And not because…” my voice trailed off for a minute.
“Because of Simms?” Reba asked, her voice clipped.
I gave her a smile I didn’t feel. “Yes.”
“She’s been vague about her conversation with you, but it’s been very clear that she has an issue,” Reba said. “What happened?”
I shook my head. “She doesn’t agree with my choice in lifestyle.” Shrugging, I tried not to show how much it bothered me.
“What did she say?” Reba asked, eyes narrowed.
“Doesn’t matter,” I said. “As you said. Circumstances make it obvious what’s important in your life. And who is important. I’m not going to hide my life because she doesn’t agree with it. So, if she doesn’t want to support me, then I don’t need to associate with her. That being said, please don’t let what’s happening between us come between your friendship with her.”
Although we were on screens, I could tell that they shared a look. Neither said anything in response to my request. Reba pursed her lips as Dallas narrowed her eyes.
“So, what’s new with you?” I asked. “Work? Boyfriends? Hookups?”
I could tell that they didn’t want to move on yet, but eventually, Dallas started telling me about the guy she was getting together with. ‘Just someone to scratch the itch, you know?’
For the next hour, I listened to them talk, and we laughed as we always did. As easy and comfortable as it was, and while our friendship didn’t feel any different, Simms’s absence was there. A constant void when I was sure I wasn’t the only one who knew exactly what Simms would say during certain discussions. We even waited a beat to hear the words that never came, though her voice said them in my mind.
Notus, Taranis, and my phones pinged at the same time. I waited for one of them to look before giving me the nod that we were getting ready to head out.
