Page 224 of Fragments

Felix is showing Dr. Love an eager grin, eyes all sparkly as he walks his fingers up the man’s chest, subtly playing with one of his dreads. And Dr. Love’s mouth is pleasantly curved, a possessive hand resting on Felix’s waist.

They’re lost in their own little bubble as Dr. Love whispers something to Felix that has him blushing and biting his lip. It’s mesmerizing to witness, and I can’t help wondering if this is how Ren and I look to outsiders who see us together.

The molecules dissolve, however, when Dr. Love looks up to see Trevel standing there with his arms folded over his chest. You’d expect some kind of visible reaction from the doctor, but no. The dude just stares, robotically blinking a few times at his former patient.

Jeez, he’s more of a rock than Joy.

“Hello, Doctor,” Trevel says quietly, his entire mood shifting to a palpable blaze of carefully compact disdain.

“Trevel,” Dr. Love rumbles,zeroemotion in his tone.

And then they both go silent, just staring.

These two used to have conversations?? I can’t picture it.

“Babe, this is Luthor and Ren,” Felix chirps, tugging on Dr. Love’s shirt. Either not picking up on the tension or just ignoring it as he motions to us. He leans into his side. “They’re my friends.”

Dr. Love peeks down at Felix for a moment, the fondness in his amber gaze returning, but only for the bespectacled little psychopath.

“Hi.” I offer him a kind, if not strained, smile.

“So good to meet you, Dr.Love,” Ren croons, fluttering his lashes while my eyes narrow at him. “That’s a great suit. The color really brings out your eyes.”

“Alright, take it easy,” I mutter, and Ren winks at me.

Dr. Love’s mouth twitches ever-so slightly. Blink and you’d miss it. “I’ve heard a lot about both of you.”

Ren fawns while I smile at fondly Felix, who’s practically bouncing, toying with Dr. Love’s fingers as he whispers, “I have friends. No big deal.”

“What are you doing here?” Trevel hisses, glaring at the doctor, who seems completely unfazed by his attitude.

“What areyoudoing here??” Ren snaps at Trevel. “I’d rather have him around than you.” He aims another flirty grin at Dr. Love, nodding toward the court. “You play?”

“Actually, I do,” Dr. Love replies stoically.

“Cool! We could play two on two,” I gasp. “I call Dr. Love’s team!”

“No way! It was my idea,” Ren gripes.

I scowl at him. “No, it wasmyidea. And you’re already good, you don’t need him.”

“If that’s the rule, then we should just play couples,” Ren huffs.

“I don’t like sports…” Felix mumbles.

“Maybe another time,” Dr. Love says, amusement etching his eyes. “I was actually here for…”

His voice trails as Joy and Kang wander over, sweaty and panting.

“What’s up?” Joy addresses Dr. Love, more casually than I’d expect.

“We need to talk,” he says, eyes shifting to Trevel once more. “Rook and Velle are on their way.”

Right on cue, the clomping of combat boots alerts us to the arrival of two more large dudes, and in strolls Velle with Rook right behind him.

“Wow, gang’s all here,” Velle grumbles. But when his eyes land on Trevel, he frowns. “Where’d he come from?”

“This one invited him,” Joy sighs, jutting her thumb in Kang’s direction. “Don’t ask.”