Page 24 of Spike's Perdition
“Nothing,” I bark.
At least, nothing that I know of.
“Maybe she had to be somewhere,” Skye suggests.
“Maybe.” The thought hadn’t crossed my mind, honestly. But it does make me feel a little better about being left. “Doesn’t matter. I got what I needed from her.”
“From who?” Glitter asks as she strolls toward us.
Goddammit! How many people are gonna see their way right into this conversation?
“Some chick he slept with last night,” Rogue offers.
Glitter visibly stiffens, but she quickly forces her shoulders to relax and smiles. “Sucks to be you. Maybe you should stick to us bunnies? None of us would leave you hangin’.”
“She didn’t leave me hanging,” I bite out. “Not in the way you mean, anyway.”
“But she left,” Glitter states. “That’s just as bad, isn’t it?”
Normally, no. But for some reason, with Ivory, it bothers the ever-loving piss outta me. I turn away from Glitter, effectively cutting her out of the conversation.
“Asshole,” she mutters loud enough for me to care.
“Get lost,” Rogue barks at her, and the clickity-clack of her heels as she exits the common room follows.
“I’m gonna go shower,” I announce.
“Wait a second,” Skye demands. “Are you really that upset that Ivory left this morning?”
I hesitate and think about how to answer her question without triggering a million more. “More annoyed than anything.”
“Right,” Rogue taunts. “And it’s annoyance that has you looking like you swallowed a fucking lemon. You’re pissed, bro. Just admit it.”
“I’m not pissed,” I insist. “I’m…”
“Hurt,” Skye suggests quietly.
Scoffing, I shake my head. “Definitely not.”
“C’mon, babe,” Rogue begins. “Spike’s a certified bachelor. He’s not gonna get butt-hurt because some chick doesn’t stay for breakfast.”
“I’m out,” I state and quickly move away from the two of them before I get caught in between an argument. There’s no denying that they love each other, but Rogue doesn’t always think before he speaks.
“Hey, where ya been?” Soul asks when I pass him in the hall.
I groan. “Jesus, can’t a guy stay out all night without needing permission?”
Prez holds his hands up. “Whoa, chill.”
I thrust my hand through my hair. “Sorry.”
“You okay, man?”
“Fine. Just hungover.”
That’s not a total lie. I did drink a lot last night and have the headache to prove it.
“Well, go shower off the grunge and meet me in the meeting room. I wanna go over the route you planned.”
