“Never been called an obstruction before.”
Kai runs his fingers along my nose. “Should be your road name, because you often forget to get out of your own way.”
I try to laugh, but my ribs hurt.
There’s the sound of bikes approaching. And Kai presses his fingers to his mouth, kisses them, and then presses his fingertips to my lips. “I love you, Bear. And watching you spin was terrifying.”
“Put your hand in mine,” I say, and he does as I ask. I squeeze his hand gently, until the vibrations beneath my skull get too annoying to ignore.
First off the bike is Grudge, who drops to one knee next to me. “Talk to me, Jackal.”
“A truck raced up behind us and clipped the bike,” Kai says. “Flipped me the bird, then U-turned out of here.”
“You think he clipped you on purpose?” Grudge asks.
Kai runs a hand through his hair. “Whatever he meant or didn’t mean, he fled the fucking scene before Shade had finished marking up the road.”
Atom comes up behind Grudge. “You get a plate?”
“I didn’t,” Kai says. “But I’ll know the sound of that engine in my sleep.”
Catfish arrives, pulling up near me without getting off his bike. “Bit dramatic, Shade.”
“Don’t make me…laugh. Ribs…feel like they’re falling apart.”
There’re more logistics. Description of the truck and the balaclava’ed driver. Kai tells Grudge about the windows being smashed at home. I hear bikes leave and Greer’s mobile clinic arrive.
Before I can process much more, there’s a board being placed beneath me, and straps being tightened around my body for transit. But in my mind, I’m already out seeking the people who want to hurt me.
14
ISLA
“Well, aren’t you the goodest boy,” I say, booping the nose of a mixed-breed pupster who wags his tail every time he sees me.
“He clearly loves you,” Noah says as he joins me. He stands close, perhaps too close, and it makes me feel a little ill.
“I love every pet that comes in,” I say, but edge my way to the doorway back to reception. I was only back here because a poor little kitten had an accident when I was moving her into their recovery pen. Thankfully, I’d brought in a spare change of clothes last week, so I was able to get cleaned up and change into my jeans and a simple sweatshirt.
Unfortunately, Noah follows me. “Do you feel like grabbing a movie tonight?” he blurts.
I shake my head. “No, thank you. I’m done for the night,” I say, shutting down the appointments system.
“Wait,” he says. “We could go over the schedule for tomorrow.”
Suddenly realizing I’m here with him alone, I glance up at the clock on the wall that says I should have left eight minutes ago.“It’s my day off tomorrow. And, I have to go because I’m meeting a friend for dinner.”
His eyes go wide. “A friend?”
“Yes. A friend.” I grab my bag from the drawer behind the reception desk and pull out my keys.
“I could join you, maybe.” There’s a hint of desperation in his voice. “If it’s a social thing and not a date.”
For a second, I consider justifying my lie. Expanding on it. But I can’t decide which would be safer. Declaring it is and having him jealous, or declaring it isn’t and encouraging further requests to join.
“No. That wouldn’t work.” I keep the statement to the point, without expansion.
“I’m trying to get to know you better,” he says, but gone is the pleasant tone that veered a little into desperate. His voice is sharp, angry, even. There are frown lines in his forehead.
