Dark red lines went from Connor’s jaw into his dress shirt. He didn’t have the same bruises, but it was obvious he had been roughed up.
“Those are from Songbird.” I raised an eyebrow. “You’d call it rough sex.” The air quotes didn’t make it less shocking. “I’m more concerned about the bruising to my?—”
“That’s enough sharing,” I said.
“Let the man talk about his bruised penis.” I swear, Janet stood in the hallway and waited for her moment for a dramatic entrance. “I hope it’s not broken. I need my wingman tonight.”
“You’re a horrible influence,” Orion said.
They joined us at the table, leaving one seat at the head for Arthur. Everybody quieted as they stuffed their faces with sugar for breakfast. I picked at a muffin as I watched them. Secret Identities Incorporated started with Arthur and quickly expanded as he hired three bumbling heroes. He had given us a chance, and as a company, we had become an essential tool for Vanguard City. More than that, we had become a team, a family with a unique set of extracurriculars.
I eyed Janet as she fought Wyatt for a forkful of cake. It was anything but traditional. We had an alien, a conspiracy theorist, and me, the secret brooder. Our family expanded, and now we had a sentient computer and a twin with more heart than she’d admit. There was only one person missing.
Arthur. Standing in the doorway with his arms crossed, he had a suspicious look on his face. It was the first time in months we weren’t arguing about lizard people or trying to explain to Connor the definition of oversharing. Our good behavior made him nervous. In truth, we deserved it.
“If it’s not the big boss,” Orion said.
“Mr. Boss!” Wyatt wore more cake than he had eaten.
“Good work out there,” I said. “How’d it feel being the ‘man in the chair?’”
“Can we not have a city-wide catastrophe for a… week? Five business days at least.”
“The probability of that is astronomically low.” Leave it to Connor to never mince words. “The villains aren’t going away.”
“More heroes,” Wyatt said. “We need more heroes.”
“Funny you should say that.” Arthur dropped into his chair. He took a quick swipe at the cake, coating his finger. Wyatt’s eyes narrowed as he watched Arthur lick it clean.
“Good job out there,” he said. “They’re still talking about your save on the news.”
“I heard they’re fast-tracking the Centurion launch.” Orion gave me the side-eye. “Friend or foe?”
I shrugged. “I guess we’ll have to see.”
“We’ll kick their asses,” Janet added.
“Anyway,” Arthur cut in. “I have news.”
Was he wearing a tailored suit? The dark gray jacket and pants were not his usual messy dress shirt. The shimmer of cufflinks should have been a sign that something had changed. I think for the first time since he hired us, he looked like the title he hated.
He stood, taking his time. I recognized a dramatic buildup. Whatever he was about to say, it’d be more than conceding to the war between him and the microwave.
“I’m moving to a new position.”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
“No!” Wyatt cried.
I never thought he’d abandon ship, not after everything we had accomplished. I had spent a year learning to navigate this workplace family. For the first time, I felt I had a handle on it, and just like that, the rug was pulled out from under my feet.
“Who bought you, Arthur?” asked Orion.
Arthur grinned. Henevergrinned. Rolling his eyes, yes, but a grin? Reaching into his breast pocket, he pulled out something made of wood and silver. He set it down, a placard for his desk. We all stared at the “Secret Identities” etched into the metal. Arthur slid his thumb further down, revealing?—
“Secret Identities International?” I asked. Wyatt leapt from his chair, throwing his arms around Arthur. He grunted as Wyatt gave him a light shaking. I don’t think any of us quite understood what it meant. Were we going abroad? Did he want to implement the HeroApp™ across the globe?
Orion’s eyes narrowed, and I shared his skepticism. It had taken a year to reach this point, and the thought of us splitting up or moving geography meant change. I wanted time to acclimate to everybody knowing my non-secret. I wanted time to be myself around my friends.
