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Texas paused, his laughter stopping as he frowned. “Uh…well…I guess, we just didn’t think aboutit?”
“Is that a question or your answer?” I pursed my lips athim.
“An answer?” he triedagain.
“You can have our schedules, Sunshine,” Marv said, drawing my gaze. “We’re sorry, we just didn’t think ofit.”
“It’d be nice if you thought of it more,” I said quietly. I turned my face away as I tried to hide my hurt. It wasn’t necessarily easy to hide it, however, especially as I kept talking. “If I’m going to be part of your team, you need to treat me like I am. If everyone else gets my schedule, then I should get yours aswell.”
“We just focus on you because we want to keep you safe,” Marv replied softly. Though his tone was understanding and suitably chastised, the knowledge that they hadn’t thought to include me stillstung.
I shook my head. “And I appreciate that, really, I do. But it’s not a fairtrade.”
Texas looked at us with wide eyes. “Yeah, okay,” he said, holding out his hand. “Just…um…give me your phone and I’ll put in ourschedules.”
I handed over my phone, feeling a mixture of relief that they weren’t fighting me and irritation that I even had to point out the unfairness of it in the first place. When we were done eating, I stood up as Marv took our plates, cups, and silverware to the dish disposal area. Texas handed back my phone. “I’m sorry, Spider-Monkey.”
I sighed, my shoulders drooping. “I just want to be as much a part of the team as you all are,” I said. “That’s it. I don’t think it’s too much to ask,right?”
He nodded. “We’re not used to it, but I know how you feel. When Bellamy brought me in, I was the low man on the totem pole. We’ll get used to it, I promise. It’s just gonna take a hot minute or two. We didn’t mean to upset you.” I knew they hadn’t. They weren’t being malicious or cruel. They weren’t even being sexist—most of the time. They just weren’t thinking of me as part of the team yet. Not a full-fledged member. I hoped that this was a step closer tothat.
“Can I have ahug?”
I huffed out a laugh. “You never have to ask,” I said, going into Texas’ openarms.
“Even if you’remad?”
“I’m not mad,” I assured him. Frustrated? Yes. Hurt? Definitely. But mad? Well...I knew their intentions were well-meaning, but that didn’t mean I had to likethem.
“I have to go get Grayson,” he admitted. “I’ll text you when we getthere.”
I gave him a small smile. “I’d appreciateit.”
Marv stopped at the table and grabbed my bag. “Ready togo?”
Texas released me, but not before pressing another kiss to my cheek. Because my face was turned towards Marv, I noticed the slight firming of his lips. But surprisingly, he didn’t look angry. Just uncomfortable. Like he thought he should look away to give us someprivacy.
“I’ll see you when I get back,Princess.”
I rolled my eyes. “Pick one name,” I said. “Not both. It’s either Spider-Monkey orPrincess.”
“What about Spider-Monkey Princess?” Texaschallenged.
Iblanched.
“SpiderPrincess?”
I lifted abrow.
“MonkeyPrincess?”
This time, I couldn’t help it. I laughed. “Oh, my God.” I pushed at his chest. “Just goalready.”
“You know you’ll miss me,” he called over his shoulder as he walkedaway.
He wasn’twrong.
