Page 114 of The Wildcard

“Well.” Ray said from beside him, “Let’s go have fun?”

Angel smiled, seeing her skin flush with the sunlight as Ira followed her tow, “Sure, Storm,” he said and watched as she stopped short at those words. Fought a grin as she shot him a glare,

“Let’s go have some fun.”

* *

Ray should have been exhausted. After the long days she’d left behind her, she should have been back at the beach, sound asleep in the sand with a bottle of beer at her side.That’swhat she’d wanted to do.Instead,here she was. In a place where a million people seemed to have the same idea. Surrounded by people who were doing theirvery bestto attract–

“ROLLARCOASTER!”

Attention.

Ray groaned out loud, faltering back a step as Jack whooped and jumped in the air, encouraged by the yells of everyone else.

She would’ve bailed if it weren’t for Ira, who had stuck by Jack ever since he’d gotten here.

Apparently, Ray was a class A loser and Jack was far more excited about it than she was. As evidence, the younger girl’s small chuckle filled the air beside Jack and Christina.

She couldn’t really feel bad for herself, not when Ira was opening up to the rest of them. She’d been especially interested in Neera, who had stared at Ira until she’d been forced to look away. Still, Ray could see the soft glances she shot Neera, and the way Neera seemed to step farther away from her in reaction. She wasalsoaware of how Angel lingered at her side despite his entire friend group being here. And how his amber eyes seemed to burn through the side of her head as they wove through the crowd.

“You’re staring.” Ray deadpanned without looking at him. She tucked her hands in the pocket of her overalls as Angel’s chuckle filled the air beside her.

“Want me to stop?”

No.

“Yes.”

Angel clicked his tongue but continued staring. Ray groaned low, deep in her throat as she ripped her gaze away from Ira, “What?” she snapped.

He shrugged, looking awfully calm as he turned away from her. Ray grit her teeth, her mind flashing with the images from last night.Especiallywith the way his cut-throat jaw flexed as he thought of a response. Ray gulped, some of her irritation fading.

“Let’s go!”

Both, hers and Angel’s gaze snapped ahead. Luke called out to them again, but Ray shook her head when she saw what they were pointing at, taking a step back as well.

“No,” she said, shaking her head as she pressed her lips together, “There’s no way I’m getting on that death trap.”

Angel’s brows shot up from beside her, but she only frowned when Neera signed Ray’s words and Cameron’s shoulders shook in muted laughter.

“Afraid Walker?” Angel asked slyly beside her, signing the words as he said them out loud for Cameron. Ray shot him a glare, taking another step away from the group when she saw Jack advance in her direction,

“I’m not going.” She snapped, and Jack’s lips broke into a shit-eating grin,

“Youarescared.”

Ray scoffed but made sure to sign her words as she continued, “Of course I’m fucking scared. Ihateroller coasters. Sono,I’m not getting on.”

“Bad memories?” Luke added from beside Jack, his arms crossed as he grinned down at her as well. She bristled in annoyance but chose to shoot him a sweet smile,

“Yes,” she said, “Want me to make some for you?”

“How bad are we talking here?” Jack cackled, their entire conversation being signed by Neera, who’s expression remained dead serious, “Because I would like in.”

Ray rolled her eyes and turned to Cameron who was laughing silently at their words, “Firstly,gross.”Jack gasped dramatically, stumbling back as Christina cackled beside him and Ira smiled a rueful smile, “Secondly, I’m. Not. Going.”

“Fine,bethat way.” Jack said, moving to stand beside Ira, “You’ll go kid?” he asked her, and Ira’s eyes turned to Ray in question. She shrugged in response. This place was pretty tight, with no one who’d bother them because everyone knew who they were. Especially with that blue band on Ira’s wrist.

---