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Before I can respond, Selina and Remi come into the play area and our familiar dance begins. We avoid eye contact, talking around each other, never responding to what the other has to say. Typical passive-aggressive bullshit that I suppose is better than bloodshed but just as unnerving.
“Suki will be here in just a moment,” Remi says. “She’s giving Cole a debrief on the scripts she’s translated.”
Come to find out, Suki’s ex-husband was the other prisoner in the holding. The one who paid zero attention to me. He did something crazy with a dead chicken and beat Suki, winning him his cell.
He’s lucky he’s not dead.
“Just another thing to make me feel even more insignificant,” Brooke says with a frown.
Not only has Suki been translating documents left behind by her mad scientist husband, but she’s also been teaching the children Korean. She’s a real Keep superstar.
“Have you thought of teaching dance lessons to the kids?” Selina asks.
And because I’m feeling bold, I say, “That’s a good idea.”
Brooke snorts in distaste. “Are you sure you want your kids learning Pole Dancing 101?”
“You did ballet before you were held against your will,” Remi says. “But if you’re down for teaching that kind of class, maybe we make it for eighteen and over. I’ll be the first to sign up.”
“Really?” Brooke says, arching a brow.
“I’ll be second,” I add.
“And me, third.” Selina raises a hand.
“I’ll bring the wine!” Britney enthuses.
Suki enters with disheveled hair, her cardigan in a disarray, which happens when she’s knee-deep in translations.
She tucks a wayward lock of hair behind her ear. “It’s good to get away from that lab.”
“I thought you were translating at your apartment,” Selina says.
“I do, but some things can’t leave the lab because they’re on the computer.” She turns to Brooke. “So I hear you have some news.”
An exuberant smile spreads across Brooke’s pretty face as she hops on her toes. “So, Gabe and I have gone full hillbilly, and we’re pregnant!”
We look at her in shock, though none of us are really surprised.
“I can’t believe I’m having my brother’s baby!”
Remi bursts into laughter. “Dude, you have to stop saying things like that.”
“Oh, I’m totally leaning into it,” Brooke jokes. “Gabe is officially going to be an uncle-father.”
“That’s so gross,” Britney says, tears streaming down her face from laughing so hard.
“Well, it’s official. We have a shower to plan,” Selina says. “Who wants to help?”
The other girls volunteer enthusiastically, and while I’d like to join in on the planning, the last thing I want is to add tension to a situation that’s supposed to be joyful.
Selina takes a long look at me, sucking in a deep breath. “Would you like to help too?”
I shrug, but then it occurs to me that Brooke isn’t the only pregnant lady in the Keep. “Um, since we have two showers to plan, why don’t I head yours?”
She smirks, and I can tell she’s trying. “Deal.”
* * *
