Page 36 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

Dammit that’s a pretty good reason. “I still don’t know why you need me.”

“Please?” He clasps his hands like he’s in prayer. “She’ll give me the guilt trip from hell, but she can’t guilt the messenger. And if she does, you can point out she had me dressing as Spiderman, who’s maybe not technically an Avenger, or at least the newest Avenger and not really that important.”

An idea starts to form the moment he says Spiderman. He and Carter are similar in height, and if I tell Ally I have a solution for the extra costume before she has time to freak out about it, maybe she’ll freak out less that Carter is the one filling the vacant spot. Plus, if Blake is out of town, I have a legit reason not to stay at home that night.

“I’ll do it on one condition.” I point my finger at Blake, pretending that he hasn’t just given me a gift of sorts.

“Anything.”

“Let me crash at your place while you’re gone. Finn and Ally haven’t had a night alone in ages, and we’ll all benefit if I wasn’t sharing a roof with them after the race.”

“Done.” Blake gives me a relieved grin and pulls me in for a hug.

***

After work I swing by the ski team training center and check in with the receptionist. I do this periodically, just so they know I’m still interested, although it being June means it’s a little early to be thinking about staffing for the next season. As predicted, there’s no news, but I’m choosing to believe my persistence will eventually pay off.

Back at home the house is quiet. It’s too early for either Finn or Ally to be off work, but I can’t really enjoy the solitude since I have a night shift at Murphy’s. Grabbing a frozen pizza—dinner of champions—I scarf it down while checking my bank account to see how much closer I am to affording my own place.

It’s not that I hate living with my sister and her husband. Our schedules are so opposite I barely see them except in passing, and theydon’t make me feel unwanted. But living with them isn’t the same as having my own space.

I had some money saved up before moving here, and working two jobs while paying only a few hundred bucks a month toward utilities and groceries means my balance is growing steadily. I could probably make the leap and get my own place now, but it’d make more sense to stay patient and keep saving so I have enough wiggle room to quit Murphy’s.

That’s a bittersweet thought. I actually love working there—Lennon and his staff are like one big family—and I like being part of that. It’s the hours that start to wear on you after a while. And having to work during some of the best events the town has to offer.

The bike race is only the first one of the season. There’s the Summer Solstice, Fourth of July parade, the art show, the bike show, and a ton of summer concerts. I don’t miss those things by choice, and I’d rather not miss as many of them as I have in the past. Naturally, the idea of missing things brings my thoughts back to Carter.

He has fond memories of this place as a kid, but most of that time was spent in training. There’s so much more that he’s never experienced, and if he’s going to make his living here, he should. Though I’m a little nervous about bringing him into the fold since it could expose what’s happening with us, I can’t deny I’m excited to have him see all the great things this town has to offer.

“Why don’t you get dinner at Murphy’s?” Ally sets her purse on the kitchen table, snapping me out of my daydreams. “Their menu is better than frozen pizza.”

“If I eat it every day it might lose its appeal.” I talk around a bite. “And I don’t want it to become a place I’m tired of eating at.”

“They all become that. It’s unavoidable when there’s only a total of twenty restaurants in town.”

“I don’t want it to happen too soon then.” I take a gulp of water to wash down the last of my pizza.

“Speaking of work.” Ally takes a seat on the barstool next to me.Here it comes. “You got the day off, right?”

“I got the afternoon off. Best I could do considering it’s one of the biggest restaurant days of the year.”

“What are we supposed to do all morning without the full cast?” She puffs out her bottom lip in a pout that probably works wonders on Finn but does nothing for me.

“The cast is so big I’m sure any missing members will go unnoticed for a few laps. And let’s be real, Deacon and Dex will be late cause they’ll both be closing the bar the night before.”

“Dex won’t be late. We’re meeting at his bar for the final costume check.”

My sister and playing dress up. I try not to snort, knowing how important this is to her.

Katah Vista is a difficult town for a fashionista to live in, and she’s managing it pretty well all things considered. She runs a cute little boutique on Main Street that’s a big tourist draw, so she gets some of her fashion fix there, although half of what she sells would be considered out-of-place in this town, which is more prone to wearing ski pants or bike shorts than fancy dresses. Thank goodness for tourists and costume events that can be her outlet. Speaking of…time to drop that bombshell.

“You have Blake going as Spiderman, right?” I hold my breath and wait for my question to register. It only takes a few seconds.

“That coward. He sent you in here to let me down easy, didn’t he? Well, he can’t. He’s committed. I already have the costume and everything.” She hops up and paces wildly back and forth.

“I have a solution, if you’ll calm down enough to hear it.”

“I’m calm.” She spins on her heel and walks the other direction.

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