Page 176 of Knox Academy Omnibus
I frown and pout a little because Mo-Mo ismypuppy and Slate is seriously trying to dull my sparkle right now.
“Sawyer,” Kalen says with a wink, and I get the distinct impression that Sawyer doesn’t know about this gift yet. Well too bad, I’m keeping him.
“Sawyer, what?” Sawyer asks joining us. Looking at the puppy, he leans down to ruff up Marshmallow’s fur. “Who’s this little guy?”
“How about I catch you all up, real quick? Kalen gave me a puppy, I’m keeping it even if I have to sleep in my car, and none of you can stop me. Which reminds me, Slate, I need a rain check on open mic night tonight. But to make up for it, I will go one better and next week we can go to open mic night, but make it an official date. Tonight we are all going shopping.”
They all stare at my outburst.
“No ifs, buts or maybes.” I snap, taking charge and liking it. “You all owe me, and this is where you’re going to start. Let’s all go and get changed, and meet back here in twenty.”
“You guys want to apologise?” I ask them sternly a while later.
“Hell yeah!” Kalen crows.
“You want to make things right?” The three of them nod their heads eagerly in response.
We’re standing at one of those out-of-town shopping complexes, Sawyer having dropped us off so that I can get pet supplies, but I’ve dragged the guys into the foyer of the supermarket. I have some fun in mind.
“I'm going to buy puppy supplies in the pet shop next door. I’ll meet you at the checkouts here in half an hour. While I’m gone, you’ll play a game. You have thirty minutes to choose and buy three items that will most embarrass you and make the cashier as uncomfortable as possible. You down for it?”
“How will that help us earn forgiveness?” Onyx scowls.
“You humiliated me.”
“We didn—” Kalen tries to protest, but I cut him off with a raised hand.
“The only thing worse than thinking you might hurt me, was thinking that you fucked around with me for fun. You played games. So now I’m turning the tables. It’s my turn to play.”
“And this will make you forgive us?” Slate asks hopefully.
“Nope,” I reply, popping the p with glee. “But it’s a step in the right direction. And it’ll amuse me. You all have a lot to make up for. We’ll work it on a points system. Obviously Kalen is already out in front because?—”
“I have a monster cock!” he crows.
“No.” I shoot him a withering look as if his prize-winning salami is no more than a cocktail sausage. “Because of the puppy and pizza. Totally inappropriate and Laura is going to do her nut, but you actually listened and impressed me.”
“I can get you a puppy too. And even better pizza!” Slate jumps in.
“It’s been done. Don’t be a copycat.” I stick my tongue out at him to show I’m teasing and he gives me a heated look.
“This is stupid,” Onyx mutters, looking unconvinced. Kalen is bouncing on the balls of his feet, eager to get going. Slate looks dubious, but there’s a secret twinkle in his eye.
“You don’t have to take part. So long as you’re good with being the pariah of the family when the others have earnt their forgiveness and you’re an outcast.” I shrug. “Plus, if you don’t think you can win…”
Of course that was exactly what I needed to say. Mr competitive, cannot bear to lose anything, sighs and storms over to the trolley bay and grabs three carts. He silently passes them out and I smirk.
“You know, I’d just like to point out that technically Kalen didn’t listen. You asked for puppies and pizza. He got you pizzas and a puppy.” He folds his arms and pouts.
“Kalen gets a head start because he has the points lead,” I randomly announce, ignoring the very good point Onyx just made.
“That’s not fair!” He sulks.
“Life’s not fair. Keep complaining and you’ll start last.” I’m talking out of my elbow here, making shit up as I go along. In truth, I just want to fuck with them a little and I know this is the best way to really piss Onyx off.
“Let’s go!” Kalen grins impatiently.
“Okay, Kalen, you will go on my first whistle…twins, you will go on my second whistle,” I say in my best John Anderson impression. Kalen beams at me.
