Kooky lifted a hand in greeting, calling out to someone out of my field of vision.
Feeling eyes on me, I pretended otherwise. He’d dumped me. I had to keep reminding myself of the fact.
“Oh! Rosa and her bunch are here!” Dorothy shot up. “I’m going to go call them over!”
Odix’s deep rumble, followed by Gopher’s soft reply to Kooky had my head shooting up, gaze snapping in their direction. My eyes widened as I watched Kooky wave them over.
Leaning in, I yanked at his arm. “What are you doing?” I hissed. “They’re going to think I planned this!”
“Why that matter?” Kooky scowled at the panicked look in my paling face.
“You don’t understand,” I whispered softly, but it was too late.
Odix and Gopher made their way closer. We scooted to make room for them, Odix opting to sit behind me as Gopher squished in next to me.
Boxed in by the three of them, I was both irrationally freaking out and pleased simultaneously.
Add to that those wild green eyes boring a hole into the side of my head, it was the trifecta of head fucks.
Kooky glanced between Odix and Gopher and grunted something at them that had them pausing and looking to each other in silent communication.
Gopher offered a response in return first, followed by Odix’s low rumbling answer.
Kooky let out a short huff of a chuff, glanced away, then brought his gaze right back to meet mine. “Want Jo be happy.”
There was a wealth of meaning beyond that simple statement.
“I am happy,” I blurted.
Kooky said nothing of that but Odix and Gopher let out soft, unhappy grumbles that told me they’d caught the lie.
I jumped a little where I was seated, sitting cross legged on a blanket as we picnicked, as Odix suddenly rumbled something very close to my ear in his language, drawing Kooky’s attention.
Kooky turned to look at him for a long moment before replying. I thought I heard Rek’s name and Bum-bum’s grumbling Lo denaii name come up but that didn’t make any sense.
Why would they be talking about them?
Their conversation seemed to draw interest. I knew Kooky wasn’t a crazy big talker. Maybe that was the draw?
Mal was good at figuring this stuff out, the body language expert of our besties trio, but she’d opted for a more private send off for Khri.
Whatever was being said, I figured Rosa’s mates would tell her, then Rosa would pepper me about it.
I got the feeling the conversation was Joanie-centric but I didn’t want to assume.
Something smacked me in the side of the head, pinging off my temple to drop to my lap. Dougie’s snickering pricked my ears but I was distracted.
“Ow,” I muttered, cupping the side of my head. That shit stung. Pulling my hand back, I froze, my gaze stuck on the deep red staining my fingers. Oh my god. “Am I bleeding?!”
My gaze shot up, finding Doogie’s, a bit of an Et tu Brute? thing going on as I gaped at him. Doogie’s snicker fell at the look on my face.
“Did you hit me with your stupid slingshot? Was that a rock?! Dougie!! You dick!” I burst out, wiping at my head hurriedly.
All traces of humor left his furry mug. “No! Not hurt! Look-”
I felt frantic, more panicked than the situation warranted, but that red was smeared all over my hands- It was everywhere!
“Oh my god, what happened?” I heard Dorothy faintly exclaim, but there was an ocean in my ears, my heart was thundering so loud.