Page 64 of Beta Team-The Saviors: Part One

“Oh. Well.” Kira blows a breath out and flops back on her bed. I lay beside her, and we both stare at the ceiling. “Can this be girl talk?”

I laugh and hold my pinkie up. She links hers with mine in a pinkie swear. “Whatever you say in here, stays in here.”

“I find Keon irresistible,” Kira giggles. “But I’m scared to put myself out there.”

“Because of what he said out there about me?”

“No! Not at all. I find that very hot. I know he’s bisexual, and that’s not a problem. The problem is all me. What if we get to a certain point, and he can’t stand seeing the scars?”

“Keon isn’t like that at all,” I assure her. “I know you’re aware of who they are. They’re all scarred in their own ways. No way would he ever judge you for that or lie to you and say they didn’t bother him when they did.” I turn my head to look at her. “You shouldn’t judge your scars either. They give you badass warrior vibes. They’re beautiful in their own way.”

“Thank you,” she says softly. “I’ve talked myself up about taking Keon up on his advances and then chicken out. I know he isn’t going to make the first move until he knows that I’m sure.”

“Maybe you need to make the first move. It’ll take all the second-guessing out of it.”

Kira hooks her arm through mine and lays her head on my shoulder. “I’m really glad you came tonight.”

“Me too.”

I get the feeling Kira doesn’t have many people she can be open with, and I’ll gladly be that person for her. I think back to what Tyler said about us getting together in what he called a freaky six-some, and I can’t help but think about Ari. He didn’t agree or disagree when Tyler mentioned Kira joining in. I search my feelings and am not entirely opposed to him hooking up withher. If he’s willing to give me something I want, I can do the same thing if he wants her.

Who am I kidding? I’d give Ari anything he wanted anyway.

21

KEON

As soon as the door shuts behind Jason and Kira, I reach up and take the liquor bottle off the table.

“What the hell was that?” I ask Tyler.

“What?”

“You throwing her into a conversation about a fucking orgy.”

“First of all,” Tyler slurs. “That’s such a dirty word. Second, I didn’t hear any of you assholes disagreeing.”

“When did we have a chance?” Ari asks. “We were talking about Jason. You brought Kira into it.”

“Are you saying you don’t find her attractive?” Tyler throws back.

“I didn’t say that. Don’t put words in my mouth. All Keon is saying is that you made her uncomfortable throwing that in her face.”

“Whatever,” Tyler says, laying his head in Gavin’s lap. “I didn’t say anything that you guys weren’t thinking.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about seeing Ari and Jason?” Gavin comments. I can tell by the pinched look on his face that he’s jealous, and I laugh.

“You getting pissed off, Gav?” I joke.

Gavin’s brows furrow, and I watch his drunk brain trying to catch up. “No. I was just wondering.”

“That’s what you’re stuck on?” Ari asks. “Tyler just invited you to an all-out fuck fest, and you’re stuck on the fact that he saw me fucking my boyfriend?”

“Princess is jealous,” Tyler teases, and Gavin shoves him off the couch. Tyler hits the floor with a groan. “That was fucked up.”

“I’m not fucking jealous. I just asked a question.”

“I didn’t tell you because I forgot,” Tyler argues, pulling himself back onto the couch. Tyler snaps his fingers and turns to Ari. “Oh! The professor I’m having Nolan look into? He’s new, suddenly became her advisor, and wanted weekly meetings. Kira said he asked a lot of questions. She thought it was Kane that set it up, but it wasn’t. I figured it wouldn’t hurt.”