Page 86 of In This Iron Ground
“Yeah, there was another bio class, advanced, that was really cool,” Gonzalo agreed. “It’s gonna be hard to balance partying with studying when things get harder, though.”
“Okay, Animal House. Tone down the frat-bro-ness,” Koko snarked.
“Oh, yeah, ’cause that was such an unusual statement for a college student. Just because you’ve become a hundred-year-old woman and taken up knitting—”
“First of all, it’s crocheting, and I don’t know what that has to do with my age or my wild party days so shut your mouth before I stick crochet hooks through it.”
“Wait. You’ve taken up crocheting?” Olive asked.
“So? I’m a woman of many talents.”
“But…how?”
“It’s relaxing!” Koko growled.
Olive snorted. “I want pictures of everything you create, because they are bound to be priceless.”
“Oh, ye of little faith. I already made a hat so, there!”
“Pics or it didn’t happen,” Olive said. Koko took out her phone.
“See?”
“That…is not a hat. That is a blob.”
“All of you can fuck off. You’re just jealous, because you all have puny little fingers and I’d be able to best you in a thumb war, three seconds flat.”
“I’ll take that challenge,” Olive said. I hid my laugh. She had no idea what she was in for. There was no way Koko wasn’t going to take advantage of her werewolf abilities when she was that riled up.
The evening quickly devolved into an outraged Olive accusing Koko of cheating at thumb wars, which only started another argument about whether it was possible to cheat at that game and if so, what that would entail.
By the time they’d gotten another round of hot drinks, Olive had relaxed considerably. Damien didn’t blame her. Theyhadbeen avoiding the subject awkwardly due to fears that it would hurt her.
“Okay. You’ve all had one semester in college. Hook-up stories please,” Olive smirked, knowing all three of them were sexually active but not in relationships.
Damien panicked instantly, wondering if Koko would be able to tell that he was holding something back. As if to fulfil a prophecy, Koko turned to look at him, frown on her face. They stared at each other. Damien tried to compose his face, but it was too late. They knew each other too well. It was one of those moments when history, friendship, and poorly kept secrets collided to unearth truths without having to speak them.
“No way,” Koko breathed.
“Koko—”
“You’re sleeping withHakan?” she said. Damien cursed her internally for being the most unsubtle person on earth.
Gonzalo and Olive turned to look at him, surprised but not shocked.
“I…I mean…” Damien started, but the only way out of this one was straight through. “Yes.”
“Holy crap. Didn’t think it’d happen,” Gonzalo said.
“Yeah, I thought your crush was over,” Olive said.
“How did this get past me?” Koko whispered to herself mournfully.
“It’s nothing! Jeez. It’s casual.”
“Casual? My brother? Casual? Withyou?”
“Okay, I know I’m not exactly a catch, but—”
