Page 242 of Sorrow & Strangers

I have fought in wars older than the boy, older than his father, his father’s father.

I blink.

Summer

What has gotten into you? What has prompted this epiphany?

Unknown

I just think you should be trained by the best available.

Why are you resistant to me training you?

I stop walking.

Summer

Ah, jealousy.

Unknown

And if it is?

Summer

I would remind you that you and I are friends. As are Max and I.

Unknown

And there are no feelings between you and me? You and the boy?

I blink down at my phone as I start walking toward the gym again. I thought things with the stranger were good. Where the fuck has this come from?

Summer

What has gotten into you?

Unknown

Nothing.

I roll my eyes and shove my phone away as I enter the gym.

“Rafe?” Max asks, a little surprised Rafe isn’t with me. I avoided him all night, and he had done the same.

“I’m still pissed at him.”

Max nods. “He’s still pushing for the muzzle?” he asks, and his eyes flash green at the word. I wonder what the story is behind his reaction.

I nod, watching him as he warms up. I can see the tension in his shoulders as he flexes them.

“Max?”

“Yeah?”

“You okay?”

He pauses for a second, flexing his hands. “Do you know a lot about berserkers?”