Page 107 of The Wildcard

“Christ,” Luke hissed as Verana’s brows furrowed, “Will you shut thefuckup, you moron.”

Jack hummed again, crossing his hands as he leaned back his seat and tumbled back in his thoughts, “Maybe I didn’t.”

“What–” Verana started but they all paused as a loud voice yelled from outside the dining room.

“Just do IT!”

Ray’s voice, Angel recognized as he saw Kyle’s wary eyes snap to the doorway. Ira took a seat next to Angel, completely calm as she said in a soft voice,

“She’s been yelling on the phone all morning.” Angel almost jumped at Ira’s voice, surprised that she was talking to him. But he still regarded her with a small grin,

“Maybe she–”

“Oh fuck off.”Ray’s snarl cut him off again, and he turned over his shoulder to see Kyle sigh and walk to the doorway. His brows furrowed as he saw the boy lean forward and haul Ray in by her hand. Ray was looking all insane, her hair a wild mess and her honey eyes raging as she pressed her phone closer to her ear. Angel took in her outfit, almost grinning at the denim overalls she was wearing over a white shirt. Almost laughing as those eyes widened even more,

“Why don’t yougo–”

Kyle ripped the phone from her hand, “What’s this about?”

Angel crossed his arms in anticipation as he regarded both of them. Ray was glaring up at the phone in Kyle’s hand as the other boy spoke in soft tones. His other hand was still on Ray’s wrist, and she did absolutely nothing to push him away. It feltdifferent,seeing them like that, so close yet nottooclose. Something annoying twinged in his chest, and his frown deepened, his lips turning downward as he saw Kyle nod and hang up the phone.

The boy turned to Ray immediately, his green eyes tired as he regarded her.

“Maybe don’t swear at them and they’ll hear you out?”

Ray scoffed, “They don’t listen to me either way. To them I’m just a new recruit,”

Kyle’s eyes darkened and he pulled her hand upwards and waved it vigorously, “Socorrectthem.”

“I will.” Ray’s response was dark as she ripped her hand from his and turned to look at the rest of them. She blinked when her gaze settled on Angel’s, her honey eyes going wide by a fraction. He almost grinned at the faint flush that rose in her cheeks as those memories resurfaced in both their minds.

But Ray cleared her throat and averted her gaze, “Today’s my off day. I’m not supposedto be working anyway.”

Kyle shrugged at the venom in her tone, “You picked up the call.”

“Fuck you.” She spat and walked away from him, her steps quick and racing towards the kitchen on the other end of the dining area.

“Now that I think about it,” Jack said soft enough for only Angel and the others beside him to hear, “Last night–”

“Shut. Up!”

Everyone yelled together and Jack jerked back in surprise, cursing under his breath.

“Jesus,fine. Calm down.”

Christina sighed, “Thank you.” She said, exasperated.

“Whatever,” Jack mumbled just as Kyle turned to look in the direction Ray had disappeared. Angel kept his eyes on the blonde, turning in his seat to drawl out carefully,

“How’s business?”

Kyle’s sigh was so loud, it reverberated through the entire room.

“Not great then,” Christina mumbled and Angel turned back in his seat.

Kyle moved from his spot, the exhaustion showing on his face as he crossed the room and sat next to Mia. Angel quirked a brow as he saw the other boy sigh again and put his face in his hands.

Angel noticed from the corner of his eyes Ray’s returning figure with two filled plates in his hand and let loose a breath as she took a seat in between him and Ira, her attention fixed on the latter. He pushed down the flash of amusement that rushed in his chest and looked at the younger girl scarf down her food. Ray had settled beside him, but he could still see those tense shoulders as he shifted but an inch closer.

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