Page 64 of Gates of Tartarus

I stare at them. What is this, the great British Kiss-Off? And this week’s star kisser is… On second thought, not a bad idea. I could get into this. I look at them solemnly. “You’re each special in your own unique way. But you all could use some practice.Lotsof practice.”

Kavi winces, shaking his head. “Ouch! Can you believe the mouth on this one?” he asks the others. Jorge gives me a smoldering look, and I lick my lips, trying to control my sudden excitement. Emlyn quirks an eyebrow: “If I must. For Queen and country. Wouldn’t want to let the side down.”

I feel flustered and more than a little out of my depth, so I take refuge in primness. “Good. Now that we’ve got that settled, I’m thirsty. Who’s going to make some tea?” I bat my eyelashes, trying to look winsome while they confer. The decision is three to one: I’m sent down to the kitchen.

Gnomeo and Juliet

Friday, 16 November – Kailani

As it turns out, running that far and that hard on a strained ankle with a newly dislocated shoulder was a terrible fucking idea. Who knew? As soon as my Motrin wore off that evening, pain came rushing back in like a train, twisting my stomach into tight knots, and I had to call off WednesdayandThursday due to my complete and total stupidity. When I called in Wednesday morning to let Maddox know, his voice was heavy with guilt and apology.

“Goddamnit. I’m sorry,” he’d said, voice gruff. “Mistake on my part.”

“No mistake, Madds,” I replied firmly. “I needed that. Didn’t even know I needed it, but Hideo would have done exactly the same thing. Watched me get in my head and forced me out. Honestly. It was the better choice. I just pushed it too far.”

There was a long pause, then Madds said, an odd tone to his voice, “Tanaka would have had you run?”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “For sure. Probably on the treadmill for like two miles, but…”

“Alright, Kai. When are we seeing you?”

“I think tomorrow?” I’d answered, hesitantly flexing my foot.

“Friday,” he replied brusquely.

“I think…”

“Friday.”

“Sir, yes sir!” I answered back sarkily, and he laughed a little.

“You’re a brat, Kai,” he said, almost affectionately. “Would you just do what I tell you to do for once in your life, you troublesome creature?”

“Is that your professional opinion? Brat and troublesome creature? All this sweet talk and someone might think you actually like me…” I replied jokingly, but something about my answer shut him down, and he dropped our joking tone.

“Friday, Reed. We’ll catch you up on anything you miss.”

To be honest, it had been too long since I’d had enough time off, so I just lay low for two days, reading and recharging. I didn’t even watch TV, just slept and ate and read on repeat. I spent most of Wednesday curled up at Lachy’s, who was still hovering over me anxiously, albeit from a distance. He all but took my head off when I moaned about how long it would take to get my bike fixed, and Thursday morning a tiny, shiny, cobalt-blue Mini Cooper convertible was parked outside my cabin. It had white racing stripes and was freaking adorable, but…

“Lachy?” I called suspiciously, and he came around from the side of the cabin carrying a huge stack of wood, looking jointly guilty and unrepentant.

“What’s up, Suge? Gemma asked me to drop off some more wood when I had the time…”

“What isthat?” I asked, pointing accusingly at the small car.

A look of complete surprise on his face, he answered,almostbelievably, “That? Oh, I figured since your bike is in evidence for the foreseeable future, and then will need to be taken to the shop, I thought I’d lend you my car.”

“You don’thavea car, Lach. You have a truck.”

The faux-shocked look on his face, he replied unconvincingly, “No! I mean, yes, I do have a truck. It’s my main vehicle. But I also have this secondary car. For... when I need it. You, uh, you didn’t know that?”

“Lachy,” I asked patiently, “Do you evenfitin that?”

He nodded, and I narrowed my eyes. “Okay. Show me.”

“Show you how I… get in...thatcar?”

“MmmmHmmmm.”