Page 120 of Level Up
Come to think of it, I’d like to see your backside right now. As you leave. (Dismiss)
Cartwright
You’re making it very difficult for me not to simply run off with you and let some other poor sap take on this fucking sorcerer.
You
We can run off on other adventures once we’ve won.
We can run off and elope once we’ve won.
You’re the best poor sap for the job.
If you run, I will hunt you. (Attack)
Cartwright
Can’t argue with that.
— Conversation with Cartwright inThe Stones of Ayor 4
thirty-two
a kick in the nutsack
Even though Ithink I know what to expect when I answer the door, part of me is still surprised to see Damien standing there. He must have been let in through my grandma’s house, but I’m mostly shocked that he’s here at all.
“Um, hi,” I say to him, blinking rapidly.
His hands are shoved in his coat pockets, as usual. “Can I come in for a minute?” he asks. I think he’s nervous. “I don’t have to stay, I just…I need to apologize.”
I nod and step aside to let him in, but when I close the door behind him, he stays standing in the entryway, not making a move to take off his shoes or anything. “You can actually come in,” I tell him.
What I don’t do is tackle him in a bear hug because I’m so happy to see him—he’d been kind of a jerk and I probably should hear his apology first, even though I’m already way past that. I don’t even care. He’shere.
I walk towards the living room to sit on the couch, and he follows shortly after, once he’s taken off his shoes and jacket by the door.
“Okay, so…” he says when he sits, wiping his palms over his knees, like his hands are sweating. “I realize I shouldn’t have just avoided you for three days—even though you have totally done that to me, by the way?—”
