Page 192 of Forever Relentless

“What?”

“He called you B.”

She gave a little huff. “Shut up, Mase.”

“That’s a nickname,” I told them triumphantly.

Both of them said ‘shut up’ at the same time, so given they didn’t want to talk, I went to sleep.

I woke up in my bed. Fully dressed. Boots off. Daylight was blasting through the window, and I had no clue how I got home or how I got up the stairs.

After going to the bathroom, I went on the hunt for painkillers.

I met Dante Spence first.

“Hey.”

He got up as I sat down; being vertical was overrated. He handed me a bottle of water and two ibuprofen.

“Thanks.” I downed them both.

“You’re really heavy,” he said simply. “Which I should know, since you’ve sacked me a few times in practice.”

“So people keep telling me.” I rubbed my forehead. “Did I fight?” I asked him. I had no clear memory of seeing him last night.

“No.”

“Cool.” I stood up again. “I need more sleep.”

He didn’t say anything, and I simply went back to my room. When I woke up the next time, I felt more alive. When I went out into the living area, the apartment was empty. I took a shower, brushed my teeth twice, and drank my weight in water, well, until I felt that my thirst was quenched.

Only after all that did I pick up my phone.

I hadn’t sent one text. Thank fuck I wasn’t that sloppy a drunk.

I scanned my texts. I had one from Tate asking me if I was okay. I replied to let him know I was fine.

I lay back on my bed, leaning against the wall, legs stretched out in front of me.

Me: You have a very high tolerance for tequila

I didn’t have to wait long.

Mason: Tell my sister that

Me: I don’t think she’s talking to me

Mason: I wish to fuck she wasn’t talking to me

Me: That bad?

Mason: She’ll be fine eventually

Eventually? I don’t think I was being given the luxury of waiting.

I put my phone down and left them to it. I’d missed all my classes. And training. It was possible Dante had also missed training, that first time I woke up.

I was making all the right moves in the game of friendship.