I chuckle, the sound rough and forced.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m serious.”
I grab his hand, pulling him towards the crowd.
“Let’s dance. I don’t want to speak about him.”
I want one night where Ender Vale is not the topic of conversation. I lead Grayson into the swarm of bodies. I can tellhis mind is still hung up on the topic, so I place my hands on his shoulders and move his body.
“I don’t remember you being this stiff, Sullivan,” I tease.
Finally, he smiles.
“I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have fun without you,” he says. “I hated it when I had to leave my best friend behind.”
My eyes soften.
“I’m still here,” I say. “I’m always here for you.”
“Me too,” he says. “Sometimes during rotations, the men and I would sneak off to go to a bar. The soldiers would charm the ladies and rib me for not doing the same. But they don’t understand that once you’ve kissed Haven Warrick, no other woman compares.”
“No fair.” I pout. “You know how much I like being flattered.”
“Don’t I ever?” He chuckles.
I laugh and feel lighter than I have all week. At some point, Sora and Rei return, and I draw them into our circle.
Grayson keeps our cups full and keeps the Gifted from bullying us.
It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time, and I don’t want the night to end.
chapter
thirty-five
Ender
“Where are you off to?” I ask.
I’m outside the building, smoking a cigarette. I don’t smoke; if ever, it’s a bad habit that I look down upon. But I haven’t been able to sleep properly since that failed mission.
I’ve been on edge, expecting a call from my father any day now. Ansel is keeping a closer eye on me than usual. Ever since my grand speech telling him to leave Haven Warrick alone and the reminder that he is beneath me, he has been unbearable.
Knox is drawing on his jacket, an annoyed look on his face, as he marches across the grounds.
“To bust a party,” Knox replies. “Can’t believe a few years ago we were a part of it and now we’re forced to break them up.”
“I’ve blocked out every memory of my time here,” I say.
He snorts. “Why? You had half the girls going feral for you. Rumor had it that your name was carved into the restroom walls. Hearts included.”
I don’t dignify that with a response, but I do join him to clear my head. We walk in companionable silence.
“You smoke now?”
“No,” I say. “It was a one-time thing.”
