Page 55 of Attraction

“You think that too Zak? Do you really think Digby’s okay, or are you not convinced? I don’t think you’re so sure our lady medic is good for him.”

“I … I don’t know, not for sure. Yeah, I’ll admit, I’ve got some reservations. You’re right, she is screwin’ with his head. But it’s new, it’ll pass—it always does. It’s just a phase, an infatuation, and he’ll come ‘round.”

“I hope you’re right, because if there’s something more to this, something that’s gonna fuck with this team, then I don’t want her here. So, if you’ve got any concerns, then you know what you need to do.”

“Yeah, right. It’s Team first—don’t worry. Digby’s best interests are my best interests—always. Look, just ‘cos some piece of ass is turnin’ his head, it don’t mean she’s turned mine. I’ve got my eyes wide open, but I still think Oz is right, she’s done enough to prove herself.”

“Fine. Well, let’s see if she can get to the finish line then.” Darius smiles, with a heaviness to his tone he heads away from them. “Bud… Get this dinner cleared away, now!”

“What? Wait, you’re not gonna see if they make it back first? You know, Digby’s going to be starvin’ when he gets here.”

“And I said clear it up. What don’t you understand?”

Ozzie sighs, looking at Bud as he double checks the order again. “You know Digby will tear your head off if he gets back and there’s no food—and to be honest I wouldn’t blame him.”

Darius groans and then reluctantly he nods. “Alright, keeponedinner back. They can decide between them who needs it the most.”

“Oh, c’mon man, they’ve gotta eat. Darius… Darius man, you can’t be serious?” Bud sighs, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I said… Clear itup!That’s an order.”

The others all groan—out of earshot, they hope.

“Wow. Man, he’s seriously got it in for her,” Oz says.

“He sure has. Her being on this team, I don’t know who’s head she’s screwin’ with more—Digby or him?” Zak agrees.

“Alright, so let’s do as the man says and get this chow cleared away, pronto!”

* * *

“Kat c’mon get up we gotta go.”

“Yeah … just give me a minute.” She leans back on the ground, still rested on her elbows, watching as Digby plays with the fast-cooling sand. Making heaped shapes and patterns—he’s bored. “So, if I do this,” she swallows apprehensively, “that’s it, I’ve made the team. I mean, there aren’t any more surprises?”

“Uh, yeah… Yeah, pretty much.” Digby frowns, avoiding her gaze, still letting the sand sift through his fingers.

“What does that mean?” She sighs, “Digby, what did you mean,pretty much?Is that yes or no? Don’t tell me I go through all this bullshit and I still might not make it?”

“No, it’s nothin’ to worry about. We still have to vote but it’s just a formality. The team always gets the final say.” He smiles, looking up. “But you have nothing to worry about.”

“A vote? On my joining the team. Oh… great!”

“Hey c’mon, you pass Darius’s test, and then the team votes—it’s more like a tradition.”

She lays her head back, the sand sticking to her sweating brow. “Well then I’m out. You know, you should’ve told me that earlier. You know Darius is never going to vote for me to be on that team. Shit… so this was all for nothing.”

“Hey, hey no! No, not for nothin’. Look, Darius doesn’t get a vote, it’s just the rest of the guys—it has to be a unanimous vote, but it’ll be fine. The guys all like you. All you have to do is get me across that piece of ground and the rest is in the bag.”

“In the bag?Are you sure about that? I mean, are you sure everyone wants me on the team?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“What even Zak? You sure he wants me? I mean, he’s been pretty cold since I arrived and I’m not so sure if he thinks I’m right.”

“Zak’ll be fine, I promise, he’ll do what I want. You don’t need to worry about that, just concentrate on getting me there.”

“He’lldo what you want? And what about what Darius wants, I mean maybe Zak’ll vote with him, not you?”

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