Page 120 of The Wildcard

“What?” she asked softly and Angel sighed. Forced himself tostop thinkingas he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. Ray’s eyes widened and she went to slap his hand away but he’d seen it coming. Angel pulled his hand back and saw with a small smirk on his lips, her eyes flare in indignation.

“You asked me a question yesterday.” He said and Ray stilled before him. Angel fought a satisfied smile but she saw it in his eyes. Knew she did.

“I’ll give you your answer there.”

* *

“No.”

Well, that came out wrong.

Ray cleared her throat and took a step back. Solely for her safety. And Angel’s, she told herself.

“I can’t leave Ira alone.” She blabbered, looking anywhere but at him, “I need to be there with her and–”

A soft hum left Angel’s lips and she looked up to see that flash of amusement in his eyes. Took it as a sign of agreement. Suddenly relieved, Ray nodded her head and turned on her heels, forcing herself past the shiver that climbed up her spine.

She could still feel the warmth of his hands over her shoulders. Could still see the grin he bit back. The dimples he so desperately tried to hide. But her right mind had taken over when he’d asked– nodemandedthat she sit with him. Ray huffed out a breath, increasing her pace to avoid that coffee scent that followed her.

Angel whistled behind her, completely unbothered by the mess he’d left her in. Ray scoffed under her breath, her eyes only widening when she caught sight of short, dark hair standing out in the crowd.

Ira’s head turned at the exact instant Ray raised her hand in the air. This close, Ray could see the relieved smile on the younger girl’s lips as she waved back from Cameron’s side. They were already in line for the ride when Ray neared their huddle. Angel kept an unsafe distance behind, so close to her when she stopped that she could feel the warmth of his body seep into her back.

Ray breathed out and faced Cameron, who was busy eyeing both her and Angel warily when she waved a hand in front of his face. He clicked his tongue but turned to her,

“Where have you been?” he signed and she responded quickly, making sure that Neera caught the end of her conversation as well,

“We just got caught up back there.”

Neera hummed but spoke aloud as she signed, “Well, the boy behind you says you were lagging back on purpose.”

Ray’s brows furrowed in confusion, and she turned over her shoulder to see Angel shrugging innocently. Her gaze narrowed, but she turned back, “I wasn’t.” she said and signed.

“He says you were scared and wanted him to hold your hand for the ride.” Neera deadpanned.

Ray rolled her eyes and looked over her shoulder, her scalding glare doing nothing to stop that slow smile on his face from spreading. She was about to snap back when the line shuffled forward. Her eyes cut ahead, and she shoved her fists in the pockets of her overalls as Jack, Christina, and Luke moved ahead. Jack’s head turned over his shoulder, the green in his eyes twinkling as he grinned at Angel,

“Make sure she gets through it safe and happy–” his words cut off as Ray moved forward and jabbed him in the side. Jack’s body arched in pain, a groan leaving his tongue as Ray moved back in her spot calmly and saw Christina cackle.

“Deserved.”

Luke nodded solemnly from beside her, “Rightfully so.”

“Assholes.” Jack managed to breathe out as he glared up at her. Ray only grinned back, the same shit-eating grin he’d been holding as she winked back at him.

He rolled his eyes, but Ray huffed out an amused laugh as the line moved forward. Her eyes cut ahead to see that they were next in line. Jack noticed too, because instead of glaring at Ray, he was grabbing Christina and Luke to haul them in the next empty carriage.

Ray followed in tow, watching Cameron and Neera go into another one. The man was about to close the door to theirs when Ray felt Angel’s warmth sidle close to her back.

“Ohshit,”he said in a loud voice and both Ray and the man handling the carriage paused, “This isbad.Oh God, Ray you need to see this.”

A sudden sense of panic hit her when she saw him peer down at his phone. But then he lifted his wide amber eyes and looked at Ira,

“You go on kid,” he said in a rough voice, his eyes wide in horror, “I need to talk to Ray.”

Ira nodded briefly and got into Cameron’s carriage just as Neera made to shoot up from her seat, her eyes narrow, “Is everything–”

“Yep!” Angel said, and Ray blinked at the way his expressions changed. Watched with a mix of amusement andsurprise as he took two steps forward and shut the door in Neera’s face, “Just need to show Ray something.Superimportant.”

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