Page 68 of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly

“Sort of? Kind of not really?” As I did with Chris, I explain to Jett what the Castle people said about our tournament not being “on brand.”

“Well that’s ridiculous,” says Jett. “Of course it would be ‘on brand.’ They just don’t want to change anything. What does everybody else say about this?” He gestures to the others who are still training.

“I haven’t told them yet,” I admit in an oh-so-small voice. “I keep thinking I’m going to figure out something to make it all work, but if I tell them before I figure it out, then they’re going to be pissed and maybe stop training.”

“They’re going to be pissed that you’re lying to them.”

“I know,” I snap too loudly. Lizzy looks up from a particularly hard fall and waves. I wave back and then lower my voice so it won’t carry. “I know. But I can’t figure out what to do. I keep thinking if I don’t tell them, then we’ll be all ready and it’ll somehow all come together on Friday.”

Jett shakes his head and says in a soft voice, “That’s not fair to them or you. It’s too much for you to worry about and too much to expect from them. They’re your friends, Kit. Tell them.”

“Tell us what?” asks Layla as she leads her horse toward us. “Tell us you know the rest of the routines Chris started? Because we’ve got the first part of the show down, but after about twenty minutes, we’re just doing the same things over and over.”

“Yes, that’s it,” I say quickly. “We’ll go over the rest of the routine today and then talk about how we’re going to make it happen on Friday. Can you see if everyone can do one last training session on Thursday afternoon?”

Layla nods and rides off to ask the others.

I can feel Jett shooting daggers into my back behind me.

“What?” I spin around.

“You have to tell them.”

“I will. But we’ve got so much more to work on, there’s no sense in dashing their hopes yet. If I can’t figure out something by Thursday’s training session, I’ll tell them then. I promise.”

“Pinkie swear?” asks Jett with a hint of a smile playing across his face. He holds out his pinkie.

I loop mine through his. “Pinkie swear.” My heart races a bit as our hands linger together.

“Kit! C’mon!” yells Alex. “Get over here and teach me how to knock you out with this mace.” They hold a kid’s Skip-It that’s been attached to a toilet plunger. It’s hardly a medieval weapon, but it’s better than a pool noodle.

“See you,” I say to Jett as I extricate my pinkie from his and join the other Knights.

By the time we’re done training, it’s after six, but we’ve got the better part of a full routine down. Everyone promises to stop by after school on Thursday for one more run-through of the routine and then a check-in about how we’ll get costumes. Penny tells us that she, Austin, and Chris have been working with the other Knights to make it happen, but they’ll have everything finalized by Thursday.

“See you all at the Castle for Wednesday’s shift,” I call out as we head back to our cars.

“Sure you can’t join us?” Layla says. She’s headed for tacos with Mags, Lizzy, and Alex. “We miss you, Kit.” She slings an arm across my shoulder.

“Silly thing,” I say. “I’ve just been busy with Chris getting hurt and the interview. I’d love to join you, but I’ve really, really got to catch up on homework tonight. I’m going in early to make up that calc test.”

Layla gives me a hug. “See you at school tomorrow!” Then, she and the others pile into her Jeep.

Jett walks me to Chris’s car. “The test is easy, you’ll do fine. But can I do anything to help with the other stuff?”

“I mean, if you can figure out a brilliant way for me to tell everyone the truth and also actually make this tournament happen?”

Jett gives me a rueful smile. “I have complete confidence in you. But call me if you need to brainstorm.”

“You’re my favorite,” I say with a smile as we say goodbye.

“You’re my favorite too,” he says back.

We linger there for a moment outside Chris’s car. So close. But I’m not brave enough to lunge across the invisible barrier between us—which is made up of the words of our Unbreakable Rules—and kiss him.

32

TUESDAY IS A BLUR OF SCHOOLWORK. BY WEDNESDAY—TWO days before we’re supposed to ride out and fight—I’m still no closer to figuring out a solution to actually hosting this tournament. But Chris and Austin have talked to the other Knights, and all of them except for Dalton have agreed to let us take their places for the 7:30 show.