Page 43 of Risking it All

“Adventurous.” I clocked out.

“Lev in class today?”

“How’d you guess?”

“Psychic,” he answered, but then added, “I saw him and Melanie as they left.”

Relic walked beside me as I emptied my locker, and then we made our way to my car. I loved the cadence in his voice as he told me how the frog ride broke down three times during his shift. I laughed because the frog ride was always broken, and it needed to die in a hole.

I had been nervous about returning to work, about being around so many people, how I would feel being out at night, especially in a car, but Relic’s constant and steady presence eased my fears just enough that I not only remained functional, I found myself enjoying my job again, too. He had given me a gift I had no idea how to repay.

“Want to swing by Game Space and get a bite before I drop you off?” Relic asked. “I can’t stay long as I need to get home so my older sister can head to work.”

I felt like Melanie with how I beamed. First thought: he asked me out on a date. Second thought: he was hungry, and we were only friends. Third thought: I didn’t care if the second thought was true because I wanted to spend more time with him. “Sure.”

Chapter nineteen

Relic

Macie and I entered the Game Place, and like I had hoped, Marsh stood behind the counter. Pure shock rippled over my best friend’s face as the two of us approached, and he almost didn’t recover as I held my hand out to him. “What’s happening?”

His eyes were stuck on Macie, but then he tore his gaze away, focused on me, and we gave each other a fast shake. “Nothing, brother. Hey, Macie.”

“Hi, Marsh,” Macie said in that upbeat way of hers, as though sunshine followed wherever she went. “How are you?”

“Eh, I’m working here, but I’m not the one hanging out with this idiot.” With a smirk, he motioned to me with his chin. “So, I gotta be better than you.”

Marsh and I hadn’t had a chance to talk since the other night, and I was bringing Macie here to show Marsh that I wasn’t giving up on her. Not yet. He needed to see that Macie and I were cool. No relationship. Just friends. Friends who kissed. He’d getit. He’d understand. Did I need his approval? No, but he was my best friend and not having him in my life on something like this tore me up. “Do you have time for a break?”

I wanted him to get to know her. Understand why I liked being around her. Marsh gave me a quick glance that said no, but because he cared for me, he said, “Yeah. Order and I’ll come out when I can.”

“You first,” I said to Macie, and she surveyed the menu.

“I’ll take a crispy chicken sandwich, extra mayonnaise, and a cup for water.”

She rummaged through her purse, and Marsh said, “Your money’s no good here.” He then looked at me, ignoring her perplexed reaction. “And you?”

“Whatever you got.”

“Got you.” Marsh turned to the kitchen. “Hey, Brayden. Crispy Chicken, extra mayo, and the regular for Relic.”

Brayden stuck his head out of the back. He gave me and Macie a spicy smile. “What’s up, Relic?”

“Nothing much,” I answered. “You?”

“Living the dream.” His eyes landed on Macie. “Are you two on a date? If so, Gianna’s going to find that interesting. I’m seeing her after work. I’ll tell her you both said, “Hi.”

Macie shifted uncomfortably, and choosing to ignore Brayden, I tilted my head toward the game area. “What do you want to play?”

She headed toward the game room, then I glared at Brayden. He chuckled, well aware he was an ass.

“I’ll get your food out soon,” Marsh said.

“Thanks.” I followed Macie. The Game Place served fast food, and people could eat while playing board games or lawn games like corn hole for free. Billiards cost money, but Macie sat at a checkerboard table, so that wasn’t a worry.

“Do your friends always feed you for free?” she asked in a whisper, as if scared someone would hear, but except for a family on the other side of the room we were alone.

I sat in the seat across from her and slid the red pieces in her direction. “Marsh and I take care of each other. It’s a constant give and take.”

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