“If it makes you feel any better, it’s only bits and pieces like their legs and exoskeletons.”
“That, in fact, does not make me feel better. Thanks.” I give a tight-lipped, sarcastic grin.
The vibrations from the engine of Ryder’s car lulled me to sleep on the drive home. Ryder carried me in, head cradled to his warm chest, and tucked me into bed. Since I don’t have a room here and Jessie sleeps like an alligator fighting for its life, I’ve been sleeping in Ryder’s room. He has taken up the couch, despite me telling him he can sleep in his own bed and I’d take the couch.
I cuddle up under the black silken sheets and doze off, praying I don’t have another nightmare about Lilith’s hell hole.
21
KELSEY
Iguess you could say I’ve become quite acquainted with Teegan over these last two months. Ryder gave him the weighted task of training me in extreme combat and self-defense. From hand to hand to using knives and firearms, I’ve become a human weapon. Teegan is wildly skilled in just about every aspect you can imagine. I understand why Ryder hired him and trusts him with his life andmine.
“I’d say you’re ready to graduate,” Teegan pants.
“Bout time. I’ve been kicking your ass all week.”
He chuckles, tossing his head back while his hands remain braced on his knees, “Don’t get ahead of yourself, kid. I’m just getting old.”
“I knew that,” I sass whimsically. “How old are you anyway?”
“I’d lie and tell you thirty, but this gray beard only comes with age and stress. I’m fifty-three.”
“No, shit,” I say in disbelief. “You honestly don’t look a day over forty.”
He jostles the top of my head with his hand, roughening up my hair. After our training sessions, he meets with Ryder to tell him how it’s gone. Today, he will be thrilled to learn I’ve officially graduated from Teegan’s ass-kicking program. I don’t know what it’s actually called, but that’s what I’m sticking to. I don’t know what I’ll do with all this free time, now that I’m no longer training or in therapy. Ansley was hesitant to end the sessions; she doesn’t believe I’m actually “mentally sound”, but Ryder reassured her that between his sister and Hayden, all three could manage me on their own now. I’ve been off the crazy meds for three weeks, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel. I’ve had my moments with losing my temper, but I’ve always been short fused anyway.
I went to two more races, of course, RAGE won, but I was shocked at how fast Japan replaced their leader. I suppose to them it’s just a job and was a mishap that was easily fixed, unlike losing family or a close friend.
In the past two months, I’ve learned I’m not so much a party girl as I thought I would be. Jessie, however, is an absolute carouser. Partying is how Jessie survives, I have no doubt. She can’t go a single day without socializing before she goes batshit crazy. Funny how we are best friends yet we’re polar opposites. I typically spend my time in the garage with Hayden learning about cars or with Ryder learning how to race them. Both of which Jessie doesn’t care to partake in, another thing I find funny,considering her brother started this whole operation from the ground up, revolving around cars and racing.
Hayden and Ryder seem to be on better terms with one another, thank God. I was losing my mind, stressing about those two. Since I underwent the combat training with T, it’s allowed Ryder to relax enough to forgive Hayden.
“…She’s done great, man. She’s ready for anything that comes her way.” I stop in the doorway of the basement when I overhear Teegan talking to Ryder.
“You have no idea what this means to me, T. Thank you, and I’ll have that bonus deposited to your name by this afternoon.”
“Sure thing, but I’d be careful pissing that one off. She’s a real machine. She kicked my…”
I emerge from the doorway, faking clearing my throat, “Yeah, don’t piss me off, Ry,” I tease, brushing past Ryder at the kitchen counter, making sure to bump my shoulder against his bicep.
“You were saying, old man?” I full-on grin at Teegan, who’s standing with his hands against the bar’s edge, his head drops below his shoulders.
When his head lifts, his cheeks are a shade redder than they were after our session, and a grin splays across his face, “That one’s fiery,” He says, pointing in my direction, but his eyes are on Ryder.
Ryder looks down at me with a smirk, “Tell me something I don’t know.” He chuckles when I shove his arm hard enough that he takes a step sideways.
“I’m stepping out for a smoke, wanna join?”
“Nah, I gotta go shower, I’ll join you next session.” He says, wrapping his muscular arm around my shoulders and pulling me into a side hug.
“Alright, your loss.” I get a whiff of his pits and wrinkle my nose, “But you really do need a shower.” I flap my hand in front of my nose, desperately trying to wave in untainted air, drawing a smoky chortle from Ryder.
Kicking back on the front porch like I normally do for my smoke seshes, I set the rolling tray on my lap and grind the little nugget between my fingers into the rolling papers, then carefully roll the sweetness between my fingers, sealing it, then light it up and inhale deeply. The smoke chokes me up, I cough, hacking up a lung, and wave the smoke from my face. A soft laugh bubbles up my raw throat, damn, this shit is strong.
“We should really stop starting our days like this.”
Hayden saunters around the edge of the house from the garage, his white T-shirt splotched and smeared with black grease, his navy pants and boots not much better.
