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“What are you gonna do, just walk up to them and say fuck you and deck them in the face.”
“Yeah.” He bobs his head. “Exactly that.”
Akara detaches his radio on his waistband. “You’re not going to be a part of the ass-kicking, string bean. Just stay right here.”
I scoff. “I’m a lover, not a fighter anyway.”
And I want to maintain absolute focus on my climb. Revenge might derail me. It’s definitely set me back more than once this trip.
Akara smiles, flinging my hair at my face. “There’s my Sulli.”
My Sulli.
I instantly smile. “Go be my Kits, Kits,” I tell him, “and kick their asses.”
He bows, then picks up my hand, kisses my knuckles. “Will do, m’ lady.”
I shove his shoulder, and he smiles more while Banks is vigilantly observing Team Apex. But I notice how his eyes flit to me in a strong pulse of sadness.
I haven’t chosen yet.
I didn’t just pick Akara, but I can understand him thinking I might be on the road there.
“Did they make hot cocoa?” I question as Lincoln pulls out a thermos like they’re ready to watch a new theatrical release.
“Fuck them,” Banks says coarsely.
Akara marches forward, signaling Banks to follow, and I stay at the base of the crag, watching my bodyguards charge Team Apex.
Gaining distance on them, Banks approaches hotly and smacks a cup out of a hand. Hot cocoa goes flying.
“Hey, we have every right to be here!” Jordyn yells.
“Come back later,” Akara sneers. “You know what you’re doing. That’s life or death for her.”
“She’s choosing to free-solo,” Jordyn snaps. “That’s not on us.”
“Bullshit,” Akara curses. “You’re here to heckle her.”
Lincoln shoots up from his chair and angles towards Akara. “Fuck—”
Banks swings, and Lincoln goes down like a sack of flour. His friends hurriedly lift him up, his bottom lip already swelling. “Jesus,” one of them screams. “We’re going. Alright. You psycho.”
“Get the fuck outta here.” Banks feigns another hook and they all stumble to a quick exit. Some even leave behind their chairs as they trip over their feet. Running away from Banks and Akara. But mostly Banks. No one else wants to be punched.
I smile as they return to my side. “Nice job, Hercules,” I tell Banks.
He curves an arm over my shoulder. And my whole body sings as his head dips and lips meet mine in the most breathtaking kiss. It’s his hand that steals all my fucking senses—his hand that slips up the nape of my neck to my jaw. Holding my face protectively.
The kiss feels long but I know lasts only seconds. We break apart and I touch my tingling lips. He whispers, “I’ll be waiting for you down here.”
I inhale. “Alright.” Why do I not even want to leave anymore?
Banks looks like he wants to say more. Loving words scream inside his eyes and wail to be let out, but he cages them, his breath rising and falling heavily.
His staggered breath begins to stagger mine. I never really knew how this kind of love could be written in someone’s gaze before they say the words, but I see them so clearly in Banks.
“I’ll come back to you,” I whisper.
It’s a promise that I shouldn’t make, but I’m feeling more than thinking.
He nods a lot, his lip rising. “Happy Hallow Friends Eve, mermaid.”
I smile. “Maybe this’ll turn out to be the best one.”
“Third time’s the charm,” Banks says, and then he glances at Akara, who hangs a few feet back from us.
They switch spots, and I tell him, “You weren’t so bad back there, too, Kits.”
Akara takes off his beanie, pushing his hair back. “Well, I would’ve punched that asshole, but now I’m waiting for the lawsuit.”
I forgot the bodyguards get sued often. Assault charges are common, even if it’s all in an effort to protect my family.
Banks calls out, “I’ll help you with the paperwork.”
Akara smiles back. “You better.”
I try to keep upbeat, but I just see their friendship. It’s good and solid and has history before me. I hope that it still survives after me too.
They might choose each other.
Maybe they should. Maybe that’s how this all needs to end. But my insides feel crushed with weight even imagining going back to the start. Losing the romance and love I’ve longed for.
Akara focuses on me. “Concentrate. Don’t let me or Banks or any nagging thought distract you up there.” He cups my cheeks. “Okay?”
I cup his face with my chalky hands. “Okay.” I tap his face, creating handprints.
He smiles, then drops his hands, kissing my cheek. “See you, lover.”
See you, Kits.
I can’t even say the words. My mind is on the ascent. My path. My route. I’ve rotated back with a clear head, and I breathe in and grip the first handhold of rock. Pulling my body up with my muscles, I ascend.
I move fast.
