Page 10 of Witch Upon a Star
The bastard was feeling cocky. Bones’ bid was won by his physical therapist. I wasn’t the only one wondering if there was some sort of ethical law that was breached by that one, but no one was saying anything, since the auction money was going to charity.
“Look,” I snapped, defensive, “if the witch?—”
“Hey!” Pumpkin shouted, getting our attention.
Well, the attention of two of us.
Keys just continued walking past, oblivious to the world outside his phone. His head was down, but there was a look on his face that was nothing short of desire. My eyebrows shot up. Who the fuck was he talking to? The idea that Keys had a girlfriend was just weird. Even with his hair growing out and his new beard and glasses, it was hard looking at him as anything other than our scrawny little kid-brother.
Bones and I had stopped in front of Pumpkin at his shout, and we all watched a very distracted Keys as the kid journeyed up the stairs. He was completely oblivious that we were no longer walking beside him.
“Harper says the money came through,” Bones said in a whisper.
Pumpkin’s eyebrows drew down, staring up at Keys’ ascending back. “Is he wearing pajamas?”
Bones and I looked around him to see Keys better, and then we both nodded. I let out a long sigh, “Yup. I better go get him. He’s not even wearing his cut. Lucky and Bulldog are already on edge.”
When I went to pass, though, Pumpkin grabbed my upper arm. We were roughly the same height, though Pumpkin had broader shoulders than me. “I don’t care that you’re not happy about who won your auction bid. It was for fucking charity. Whether you take her on a date or you offer her the four hours of labor, you will show her some goddamn respect. And don’t ever let me hear you call her ‘the witch’ again. Do I make myself clear?”
My eyes narrowed, and I stiffened. We were both club members, neither falling higher in the hierarchy than the other. The only difference was that Pumpkin had been in the club longer than me. After Bones ragged on me yesterday and again this morning, Pumpkin’s words hit home.
I’d worked myself to the bone most of yesterday, only stopping to refuel and use the bathroom. When I’d gotten sick of being indoors, I’d gone for a run. Got about fifteen miles under me before I started to cramp, and knew I was dehydrated. I ended up walking most of the way back to the clubhouse.
And even after all that, I didn’t know what was bothering me more: the fact that I didn’t feel any better or the fact that my feelings had been hurt in the first place like I was back in high school and been turned down for a prom date.
None of that was Pumpkin’s fault, though. And he was right. Ididowe Calliope my respect. She’d replied back to my text message almost immediately after I’d sent it, assuring me that she had all the supplies we would need for today. I hadn’t replied or seen it until hours later because I was too busy trying to punish myself for my immaturity. At least she seemed well prepared.
When I couldn’t sleepagainlast night, I ended upGoogling what a New Age store was so I had a vague idea what to expect when I went to Calliope’s this afternoon.
“You’re right,” I conceded. “I’m sorry. I meant no disrespect. I’m just pissed that Kora didn’t win my bid.” It was the excuse I’d used on Bones, and I might as well use it again now. Leaning in, I whispered with a wicked smile, “It’s just she promised that I could fuck her in the ass on our date if she won.” I sighed dramatically. “But you’re right that no woman deserves my disrespect, even if there is a possibility she’s going to turn me into a newt.”
Scoffing, Pumpkin let go of my arm. “Have you ever met Calliope? In person, I mean.”
“Nope,” I shook my head. I didn’t count Saturday, because she’d barely acknowledged me. “Just heard she once put a curse on a man for cutting in front of her at the bakery.”
Pumpkin shook his head, like he wasn’t sure how to respond to that. “Go get Keys. We only have ten minutes until the start.”
I bounded up the stairs, three at a time. Apparently, I was still punishing myself. I caught up to Keys just before he reached the double doors leading into Chapel. “Whoa, kid!” I called, putting my hand on his shoulder.
He looked up at me, startled. Then smiled and reached a hand up to fix his glasses, which had fallen down his nose. “Oh, hey, Star. What’s up?”
I tried not to laugh. I really did, but apparently I wasn’t done being immature. “Who’re you talking to?”
His cheeks heated and his eyes went wide. He actually clutched his phone against his chest like he was afraid I’d try to take it from him. “No one!”
Liar, but I didn’t have time to call him out on it. Instead, Imoved my hand from his shoulder to his neck. “Well, you can tell No One that you’ll text them back later. We need to get you dressed, young man, before your big meeting.”
Confused, Keys looked down. If possible, his eyes went even wider and his cheeks became even redder as he noticed he was still in his Dungeons and Dragons dice pajama pants, Wookie slippers, and Power Ranger t-shirt. The shirt was actually on inside out, and I only knew it was Power Rangers because the shirt was white and I could make out the backwards graphics through the thin material.
Shaking my head at him, torn between exasperation and amusement, I tightened my grip on his neck and practically frog-marched him back down the stairs. We passed Bones and Pumpkin at the bottom of the steps, now joined by Lucky, who had his six-month-old daughter strapped to his chest, and down the hall towards his apartment.
I did not however follow him into his apartment. We might treat him like our kid-brother, but he was a grown-ass man. He could dress himself. I certainly was not his mommy.
I’d barely closed the door behind him when I heard Lucky shout down the hall, “And, Keys, you better be wearing your fucking cut!”
It feltwrong to be in Church without Steel at the head of the table. After I’d gotten Keys back to the Chapel and taken my seat, Pumpkin had whispered to me that he didn’t think the VDMC President had ever missed Church before. I waspretty sure he was right, and the fact that Steel was absent now made his stint in jail all the more egregious. In a way, it felt wrong to be even in this room without him.
My eyes moved to the empty chair at the front of the table. Last month, Steel had made the announcement that he would be stepping down as President. I didn’t know which of the Officers would be stepping up. While technically any one of us could be voted in, Steel had stated his opinion that he felt it should be an Officer who took up the mantle. It was sad, but we all understood Steel’s need to spend as much time with Jenna as possible, and not just to help take care of her. I was sure I wasn’t the only one wondering what it would feel like when someone else sat in that chair.
