Page 43 of Almost Rotten

With a snort, I shake my head. I don’t even have to ask to know I don’t want to try the concoction he’s come up with.

“I’ve got three words to tempt you with, my friend. Savory milkshake.”

I press my lips together, resisting the urge to tell him that’s only two words.

Before I have to turn him down a second time, Kai appears, giving me a pointed look.

“Donotdrink whatever he’s offering.” They turn that same look on Arjun. “Does Cam know you’re out here wasting ingredients on disgusting experiments?”

“They aren’t disgusting,” Arjun says, his expression one of hurt. “And how would you know? You haven’t even tried it yet.”

As if she could hear her name from her office, Cam strolls out. In her sternest supervisor voice, she says, “Arjun, what is that, and who paid for it?”

“I—uh,” he stutters. “I thought it might be a cool game day special. It’s honestly pretty good. I started with the milkshake base, then added popcorn butter to give it that salty, savory edge.” He pulls his shoulders back, his confidence returning. “It was still thicker than I wanted, so I added a little hot dog water—”

“Stop.” Cam throws out a hand.

Kai makes a gagging sound.

“Throw that away,” Cam commands. “Get back to work. And if you swear on your life to never use the hot dog water in any capacity ever again, I won’t make you pay for that monstrosity.”

Arjun guffaws, though his expression sobers quickly, as if he’s really considering the deal. “You got it, boss.” With that, he turns and strides away.

“Afternoon, ladies and Kai,” Bryant greets.

He saunters in and makes a beeline for Cam, like a moth drawn to a flame. For weeks, Cam has brushed off my questions about the connection between her and Bryant, but given the way he’s looking at her right now, I may need to ask again.

“Are you out here using your serious dommy voice on Arjun, pretty girl?”

With a huff, Cam crosses her arms. “Don’t think for one second I won’t write you up for sexual harassment,” she quips. “You can’t just call me “dommy” in public, Bry.”

He licks his lips and gives her a slow appraisal. “What about in private?”

Cam snaps back in a hushed whisper, clearly trying to get Bryant to shut up.

I nudge Kai. “What’s a dommy?”

They snort. “I’m pretty sure he’s combining domme and mommy?”

Amusement rolls through me, making me feel lighter than I have in days.

By the time Cam and Bryant wrap up their exchange, she’s got her nose in the air, and he looks suspiciously pleased with himself.

Yeah. I definitely need to ask for an update on that situation.

“Okay, family meeting,” Cam declares, turning to us. “Get in here, Arjun.”

“This is a family?” Bryant jibes.

Kai huffs a sardonic laugh. “I prefer you all to my absentee father and the uncle who still uses my deadname when he asks me to pass the gravy at holiday meals.”

I put my arm around Kai’s shoulders and squeeze. “Maybe this year for Thanksgiving you could have Arjun make a special recipe just for your uncle.”

Smirking, they rest their head on my arm.

Cam’s scowl softens as she makes room for Arjun, and once we’re all circled up, she holds up her trusty clipboard.

“Here’s the deal, fam. I need to know who’s traveling to which away games this month so we can coordinate schedules.”