Page 169 of Entangled

Sounds like a quick way to overload the med bay.

“I think Bristlebrook has seen enough fire.” I turn to Heather. “Did you get a list of med supplies from Beau?”

At this point, he’s more likely to talk to her than he is to me. After our argument the first day, he hasn’t spoken to me once.

I brought Eden home, safe and sound, and all Beau can do is knot himself up over Heather. Without even talking to me, he decided I left him again. He doesn’t care enough to even hear me out. Doesn’t give a shit that between Sam and the civilians and all this crushing responsibility, I feel like I’m choking on my own panic. He hasn’t thought for one second about anything but his damn self and what hethinksis happening between me and Heather. I don’t move fast enough on Eden, and apparently, I’m done.

Like I have the luxury to sit down and think about anything but keeping these people alive. Weneedto be worrying about the camp. The civilians. Working as a damn team to get the job done.

At least Heather seems on board with that plan—even if we do keep slamming our heads against one another like rams fighting for top spot. I can’t remember if it always felt like this with her, or if fucking her used to make it better.

But I don’t feel like fucking her, that’s for damn sure.

Instead of answering me, Heather is looking thoughtfully at Lucky.

“He might not have the worst idea,” she says begrudgingly. She looks up at me. “Everyone needs to de-stress. Morale is down, and that’s always a hard day. This could help a lot. Plus, there’s the whole Eden thing...”

“What Eden thing?” I frown.

The look Heather gives me is dry enough for tumbleweed. “The civilians hating her thing.”

“Oh that. I’ve been trying to get them to stop.” Lucky sighs.

Jasper grimaces as he plays with the ends of Lucky’s hair. “As have I. They’re quite stubborn about it.”

At my confusion, Heather gives me a pitying look. “How have you not noticed? You really are oblivious to anything but barricades and inventory.” Heather’s lips curve in a sly smile. “Well. That and a certain librarian. You know she prefers you in the red shirt, by the way.”

Like I care.

I give her an irritated look as I think back to my conversations with Eden. At some point every day since she’s been back, we’ve wound up having coffee together.

We’ve mostly talked about logistics. The people giving me trouble. Whether I’ve eaten that day. Come to think of it, I’ve done most of the talking. She’s been the only thing keeping me sane.

But she hasn’t said a thing about anyone hating her.

I glare at all of them. “WhatEden thing? Who the hell doesn’t likeEden?”

I shove away the memories of me ready to drag her out of Bristlebrook. That was different. I didn’t know her then. Eden’s quiet about all the ways she’s special—she keeps the focus on everyone else. Drawing them together. Building them up.

Who the fuck is trying to tear her down?

Heather pats my chest. “Pitchforks away, CC. They’re just mad she chose Beau over Jayk. They’ll get over it.”

I bat her hand away and look at my blue shirt. Come to think of it, this one is a little tight.

“She didn’t choose Beau over Jayk,” I point out as I go to find a new shirt. What is this high school bullshit? “Tell them to pull their heads out of their asses and mind their own business.”

“I’m sure that’ll work a treat.” Heather leans back against an armchair, rolling her eyes. “I don’t know what to tell you. They like Jayk. They have fun teasing him. He lets Kasey trail around after him. He’s been helping people pack up and put down their camps. Apparently, him being a crabby-ass loose cannon doesn’t bother them. I can only imagine it’s because they’re hard up for some di?—”

“I helped them too,” I mutter.

I’ve done nothingbuthelp them. Doesn’t seem to matter. They either seem scared of me or they annoy the shit out of me about a thousand different things.

Lucky laughs, pulling away from Jasper. He slings his gun around his chest—he’s out on hunting duty today.

“Jayk helps. You... organize,” Lucky says diplomatically, then adds with a grin. “Loudly.”

I hesitate as I pull on my last red shirt.

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