Page 30 of Kicks

“What’s the plan?” Tyler asked.

They were heading to one of the meeting rooms off reception for a briefing.

“No idea,” Eddie replied. “James wouldn’t tell us.”

“Which means it’s horrific,” Scott said. “It’s bad enough that we’re going to a university open day.”

Eddie was getting sick of these two already.

“I don’t want to do this either,” Eddie replied. “I need to show James I can rise to a challenge. Can’t I count on you?”

Tyler squeezed his shoulder. “You can. You know that.”

“But you have to earn it,” Scott added.

“You’re all heart,” Tyler replied.

They were at the door now.

“Don’t embarrass me, guys,” Eddie said. “Not in front of Brad.”

Scott patted him on the cheek. “Only I get to needle at you, Edward. And occasionally Tyler. No one else. We’ve got you.”

Eddie smiled. “Thanks.”

“Whatever it takes.”

They went through the doors. Charlotte seemed very engrossed in her monitor. That wasn’t a good sign.

Inside the meeting room, they found James and Kat. Eddie stared at her. She hadn’t breathed a word that she had a part in this.

This is a fucking ambush.

“Hello, boss,” Eddie said.

“Eddie. Scott. Tyler. Three very handsome men. Perfect.”

Scott fanned himself. “Mr Bennett. I didn’t know you cared.”

“Want to know what’s in store?” James asked, ignoring Scott.

“Shouldn’t we wait for Brad and his two?” Eddie asked.

James shook his head. “They’ve already gone to the site. I know there’s a bit of rivalry between the two of you so it seemed like the best idea.”

He’d created the bloody competition. Eddie worried that he had found himself in James’ version ofThe Hunger Gamesto entertain himself before retirement.

“And what about you, Judas?” Eddie said to Kat. “What’s your involvement?”

Kat appeared to be thoroughly enjoying herself. “We came up with the vibe together. It’ll look great on our socials.”

“Are you going to put us out of our misery?” Tyler asked. “I had to cancel a meeting for this.”

“Sorry, Tyler,” James said. “You’re right. Okay, the vibe is superheroes. You’re out to save the day with contraception. We want to give out as many free samples as possible.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Scott said.

Kat held up a piece of material. “This is your leotard, Scott. We gave you purple. Eddie, you’re pink and Tyler is blue.”