“You left me behind, Olivia.”
“No. In the car, I realized you weren’t with us. I went to find you, and Lex told me to take off. We thought it was coming down right there. Lex said Ozrik would grab you, and I should get my car and people out of danger because his stupid modified vehicle could withstand anything. Fucking dick. Fucking Ozrik and his bullshit act of heroism. He did that on purpose. I hate him. Do you know how bad we’re going to look? CineVision is going to air that rescue drama. That’s why he did it.”
I stayed quiet as I collected my dinner and a fork, her words tumbling around my head. Had I been used as a pawn in this game? Was that the only reason Ozrik had pulled me from the field? Was that why the team had seemed reasonably nice? Was it for ratings and votes?
No. I couldn’t believe that. Running into the field was risky. Dangerous.
“You abandoned me.” It was worth repeating.
“Why were you so far away?”
“I… didn’t realize I was.”
“Gale, you can’t do that. You scared the shit out of me. I thought you were with us.”
I sat with my meal as she went on and on about the damageI’dcaused, about how bad they would look once the clips werecompiled and shown to viewers, and how this was a tick against the Wind Riders.
“You’re my brother. Do you know how bad that looks?”
But I couldn’t find it in myself to feel sorry for her.
She continued her rant. What had I been thinking? Why was I always so lost in my head? Couldn’t I see the funnel was descending? Was I paying attention at all? What the hell was I thinking?
Only when she ran out of steam did my well-being occur to her. Her tone softened. “Were they jerks?”
“No.”
“Gale.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine.”
“Are you coming over? We’re at Roe’s.”
I paused as the weight of her question landed.
When I didn’t respond, she added, “We’re supposed to do a wrap-up, remember? All of us together. Talk about the run. Beginning to end. Come on, Gale, you were in that meeting. You heard what Charles said.”
“I can’t come tonight.” I didn’t tell her I was already in my pajamas.
“Gale.”
“No, Olivia. My battery is drained. Please don’t make me.”
Would she push? If she did, I would cave. She knew it too. Was this show more important than my mental health? Hating the neediness growing inside me, I diverted the conversation as I poked at my green beans.
“I think Ozrik has a crush on you.”
“What?” She laughed—loud and hyena-like. I moved the phone from my ear, grateful her anger had abated, yet heart-sore at admitting the truth.
“I caught a vibe.”
“Well,” she said once she calmed, “if he thinks this stunt was supposed to charm me, he’s dumber than I thought. Besides, he’s so egotistical that it makes me want to vomit, and he’s a known player. Rumor has it the guy fucks around and never gets serious. No thank you. I won’t be a Devereaux statistic.”
“Oh.” I had many,manyquestions but didn’t know how to ask them without drawing attention to myself.
Olivia reverted to her original line of inquiry. “We can’t do this recap without you. Get over here. Please.”
“No.”
