Page 104

Jaykob

Just because you saw them blow their load

doesn’t mean they have to be weird about it.

Rain batters the tarp we set up, but my clothes are already leaking water into my socks and every fucking body crevice I have. Jasper and Lucky just moved from Platform Two to mine, and they’re soaked worse than me.

I nod to them as they settle in, the circus rat shaking himself off like a dog before he leans against the mantlet. Jasper smiles back at me briefly, like we’re friends now, before he pulls down the night goggles to check on the Sinners again.

It’s weird.

It’s been weird since they broke in through my damn window two nights ago—but I know what they look like when they blow their loads now, so of course it’s fucking weird. A lifetime of premature Jasper jokes might make it worth it, though.

The movie night didn’t suck, either.

The guys having my back.

Eden.

I’ve had worse weeks, I guess, even with the shitfight tonight. The rain can fuck off, though.

“Dom’s on tomorrow morning?” Lucky asks, fighting a yawn.

Another fat drop drips off my hair and slides under my collar, and I scowl, pulling my goggles up so I can see them better. “I can’t believe I chose to sit out here and grow mold on my fucking junk instead of going to bed.”

That’ll teach me to do the gushy shit. Could have just shaken the fucker’s hand. Saved the grand gesture bullshit for a dry night.

“I bet Eden’s warm,” I mutter sourly. “Motherfucker got the good end of the deal.”

Jasper stiffens, and Lucky’s head lifts fast.

“Uhh . . . come again?” Lucky asks.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I don’t usually do that shit with a crowd. Don’t hold your breath for a repeat.”

The rat grins with full face pits, but Jasper’s still making the shrink-face at me.

“Dominic is with Eden?” Jasper asks carefully. “And you... are fine with that?”

Why do they always need to talk this shit to death?

It makes it weird.

I give him an irritated look, then yank my goggles down to stare out into the rain. No movement. It smells like wet earth and damp sweat up here, but it could be worse. The ground is thick and soggy out past the moat, the bodies there getting a final shower.

Shit. Who’s going to move those?

Jasper and Lucky exchange another look, and I scowl.

“Whatever. So we’re doing the stupid everyone-in thing with her. Just stop riding my ass about it—and no more breaking into my bed,” I mutter. “It’s fucking creepy.”

I remember the other thing.

“Also, the cap is the cap again starting tomorrow.”

“He’s what ?” Lucky exclaims. “How did you get him to do that? Does he want to? Do you want him to? Is he happy? Did you hug about it?”

I yank down my goggles and glare at them under the tarp, daring them to say another word, and Lucky laughs, running a hand over his hair.

Jasper gives me a long, piercing look.

He’s given me that look a lot over the years—the one where he picks over my insides with his fancy engraved fountain pen. But... I don’t know. It feels different now. Less like he’s checking to do damage control on all the fucked-up shit inside me, and more like... like he’s checking on me .

Like he cares if I’m okay, too.

Finally, he smiles at me and squeezes my arm briefly before he turns back to the watch.

Thank fuck.

The rat doesn’t let it go, of course.

“... more movie nights. Family dinners. I’m thinking Eden would have fun with a tea party, so let’s do that. How do you feel about golf?”

Jasper glances at him. “I enjoy?—”

But Lucky is already shaking his head. “Nope, scratch that. No one fun likes golf. Basketball? We could make a team. New plan—beat the Sinners, start a basketball league with RZ and Reapers. We’d wipe the floor with them. Collect prizes from everyone. Win glory.”

Snorting, I decide it’s not worth bruising my knuckles to shut him up. The ladder starts to creak behind us, and I look back to see Beau climb up onto the platform, looking wrecked.

He’s had a shitty night. Nearly got his head blown off getting rid of one of the bodies.

Beau nods in greeting, wiping a tired hand over his wet face. “Night, guys. I’m hitting the hay. Deanna has the wounded for now. Need anything before I drop off?”

Lucky laughs, low and wicked. “Oh, man. You have a good night, okay?”

Beau’s hand drops. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jasper turns around, amusement in his face. “You have a surprise waiting for you, I believe.”

It takes a long fucking time before realization dawns on his face.

The doc can be slow on the uptake.

“Eden went with Dom,” he says, looking between us. He steps further under the tarp, ducking his head. “Eden is with Dom?”

I roll my eyes again. “What do you need, confetti?”

Beau laughs, relief and joy crackling over him. “Yes!” He laughs. “Get the confetti. Hell, I’ll throw it.”

The lightning flashes like a firework, and I eye it testily.

Yeah, yeah. I get it. It’s a good thing. Whatever.

“He’s also resumed his command. Jaykob relinquished it back to him,” Jasper murmurs.

I didn’t say that, mostly because I didn’t want them to read more into it than there was. Dom is better there. I’m better here. No need to write to Hallmark, it’s not a big fucking deal.

“He.. . You ...” Beau’s gaze swings to me, wide and searching, and the idiot needs to wipe his face again. Those had better be raindrops.

Beau grabs me into a big, rough... is this a hug ?

Is Doctor Dickhead hugging me?

“Okay. Okay, fuck off. Stop it , asshole.” I shove him back, rolling my shoulders.

Fuck. Do all of them have to make it weird?

Beau blinks hard, laughing, and he rubs a hand over his mouth. When he looks at me, it’s skin-crawlingly soft.

“Thank you. Thank you , Jayk,” he says.

“Yeah, just say that .” I scowl, rubbing at my itchy skin. In a mutter, I add, “Hug me again, and I’ll push you off the platform.”

Lucky laughs, and Beau’s grin is too amused.

I’m not joking. I’ll do it.

“Well, on that fine note, I will turn in. Y’all have a good night. Jayk.” He tips his head, then disappears into the rain.

I hope he gets drenched.

But there’s a strange, warm ache in my chest that wasn’t there before. Like how I feel when I’m with Eden—only less hard-on inducing. It’s enough to battle the cold and the wet.

And it’s enough to make the idea of standing out here for hours with these two not feel like the worst way to spend the night.

As the rain falls around us, we look out over the battlefield and... it’s almost peaceful. Water leaking between my toes and all.

Into the pattering quiet, Lucky muses, “So... what are we calling ourselves? Pussy Posse? No? Clam Crew? Booty bros? What about...”

Jasper smiles at me, and I roll my eyes.

And Lucky doesn’t shut up for the rest of the night.