Kaye levels me with a look that screams criticism. “So you’re launching yourself onto a floating trauma lab because you can’t stop falling for people who never pick you back.”
My ego takes another hit. But I bark out a laugh. “Better than watching Damon and Sterling loot you and Elle like legendary drops while I act like I’m not a glitchy NPC in the background.”
She doesn’t deny it. She just sips her drink. Then she says, “I get it. More than you think.”
“Because I talk too much during head?”
“No!” She flicks my forehead. “Because sarcasm’s my hazmat suit too. Because I’ve fucked the wrong people to forget I wanted the right one.Andbecause I know what it’s like to be left behind and pretend you’re fine while the ship sinks.”
“That’s too many metaphors, even for you, Kaye.” I pout, rubbing my forehead. “Also,ow!”
She sighs and says, “Before I hashed things out with them,my parentswere the ones sinking that metaphoric ship that was my entire life, up until I met Dae.”
I give her a look. One that says same boat. Or ship. Whatever. Kaye and I have shared our bodies with each other. Now, trauma too, I guess. “Fuck, Kaye. I didn’t know you could get any hotter.”
She groans. “Ugh, stop it with that shit, and listen, would ya?”
I smirk. “Didn’t know you being dominant was on the table today. You’re lucky I’m wearing pants.”
She groans again. “What I’m trying to say is…”
She stops to take a deep breath. Her eyes close with it, but they open up with a look I’ve never seen on Kaye before. She’s usually making jokes with me, but right now, all I see is a friend who’s seriously concerned.
“You won’t sink, Stan,” she says with a small smile. “Go on your little science kink cruise. Just make sure you’ve got your back covered. You’re still my favorite regret, you know.”
I scoff, still pouting. “Bet you say that toallyour one-night stands.”
“Only the ones with stamina.” She pats my chest. Her hand lingers there, like she’s trying to see if this battered heart of mine still beats. “We do care. Even if we suck at saying it.”
I’m almost afraid to ask, but I do anyway. “Who’swe?”
“Me. Dae. Elle. Even Sterling.”
I blink, a little thrown. So I do what I do best—deflect. “If you kiss me right now, I’ll be your good boy and stay.”
She arches her brow. “Stan, baby, you wouldn’t survive another round with me. You’d have a better chance of surviving that Kys cruise.”
I bark a laugh.
She turns to leave. “Poor Em has no idea what she’s in for,” I hear her mutter.
“Same here,” I murmur, watching her go back to Damon, who points his icy gaze at me.
This time, I don’t go back to my seat. I walk away from the celebration, where the white sand meets the blue sea. And start picturing it red.
***
A few more hours pass, the moon’s out, and the party’s nearly dead. The people aren’t though, but the mood’s winding down with thelast drunk uncle belting his heart out at a karaoke machine. Woulda been me, but the dude hogged it all evening.
Besides, I’m far into the beach, and I’ve ditched my shoes somewhere. The sand’s cool under my toes.
I don’t even turn when I hear light footsteps behind me. Instead, I dig my toes into the sand.
“Hey,” Elle whispers once she’s close.
“Thought I was about to be sneaked on and stabbed at,” I tell her.
She giggles. I stare at her and see she’s barefoot too. Breeze flowing her dress. Burn scars slightly pink on her legs under the moonlight. Heels in one hand. Long brown hair loose. And that look, so concerned over something.Fuck, is it me? Kaye must’ve talked to her.Great.
