Page 226 of Brainwashed

“Felix Darcey!” a smooth yet raspy voice chirps excitedly in my ear. The call quality isn’t fantastic, but still the voice is definitely familiar… “How the heck are you, buddy?”

My lashes flutter and I peer up at Joy. “Who…Dash??”

He laughs, and then it all comes bounding back to me.

His voice through the shared concrete wall of our cells in solitary. Hours of conversation meant to distract us from the grumbling of our stomachs…

Him singingBohemian Rhapsodyto me in Russian.

“Yea, baby! I’m so happy to be talking to you again!”

My face lights up. “Oh my God! Where are you??”

Joy’s eyes widen, and she shakes her head. I peek at the other guys and they’re all shaking their heads.

“Okay, forget that question.” I gasp, and he laughs again. “But how are you?? I can’t even believe I’m talking to you…”

“I know, man.” He sighs. “I’ve been talking to Joy and the guys for a few weeks now, and last week Luthor said that he saw you in the cafeteria and I was like, ‘Oh my God! I need to get Joy to put him on the phone, too!’ Seriously, Felix… I just want to say thank you. I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for you.”

My chest warms from his words. “Don’t even worry about it. I’m happy to help.”

“Well, you did. You helped me get to Kemper,” he says wistfully. “So as far as I’m concerned, you’re a superstar and I’m gonna have to name something after you.”

I giggle. It’s a little embarrassing, but I don’t even care. I forgot how much his voice makes me swoon. Plus, he’s just the sweetest.

But then I pause. “Wait… did you say Kemper?? As in the guard who used to work here?”

“Yea! He’s my man,” Dash says pridefully. It’s fucking adorable.

Wait, so Dash is gay?! Damn… If I knew, I would’ve tried to make a move through that wall.

I grin at my thoughts. Good thing I didn’t. We’re better as friends, with our respective hot-ass dudes.

I have a million questions about how he was able to escape and then locate a guard who used to work here, but I know better than to ask. I’m sure it’s an epic story, but not something we can get into now.

“Tell Kemper I said hi,” I murmur timidly, and bite my lip. “He was always so nice to me. And like… drop-dead beautiful, delicious-smelling, you know. The whole shebang.”

Dash laughs. “He is, though, isn’t he?? We’re getting married.”

“Wow, congrats.”

“I mean, who knows when. But yea… I’m so happy, it’s disgusting.” I can hear the smile in his voice, and it makes me beam with joy for my friend. “How about you? Are you doing alright with the lockdown?”

“Yea… actually, I’m doing great.” I fidget in my seat. “Remember that doctor they were sending to study me?”

“Of course,” he says. “I never met him, but I remember you telling me about it.”

“Well… we’re dating.” I bite the psychotic grin off my lips. “Actually, we’re in love. Like, Ireallylove him.”

“Holy what?!” Dash gasps. “That’s crazy! What’s his name?”

“Dr. Lemuel Love.” My stomach fills with butterflies from even sayings name. “PhD.”

Dash laughs, then cheers. “Get it, girl.” I can’t help but cackle out loud while he does those rumbly chuckles in my ear. “I’m so freaking happy for you! So it makes total sense that you stayed, then.”

“It really does.” I nod. “I mean, I thought about what it would’ve been like to go with you… But I think everything worked out exactly how it was supposed to.”

“It really did,” Dash sighs.