Page 85 of The Monster I Am
“Yes… yeah!” I answer. “I have the job?”
She laughs. “Yeah. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, though. But in the meantime while you still enjoy caffeine, you get one free drink per shift and a ten-percent staff discount.”
“I’ll take that challenge,” I grin. “Seriously, thank you!”
Hazel stands, gesturing for me to follow. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to some of the other team members and grab you a uniform. Welcome aboard.”
“You got a job?”
Ry’s eyes widen at my news, momentarily forgetting about the study notes laid out in front of us. We’re sprawled out on my living room floor, drowning in information about gym.
Yes—gym class.
I was horrified to discover that not only is Coach Carter intending on testing our physical abilities, which I’m already freaking out about, but also our knowledge.
How the hell am I supposed to know these things? I spend all of my time in gym class trying not to die. And now I’m meant to know cardiovascular stats and the rules of football?!
I’m ashamed to admit I fully spiraled at the news, much to the amusement of the man in front of me. But he did promise to share his notes and tell me everything he knows. Whether or not I actually remember is a whole other issue.
Willowbrook is just cruel. We’re disadvantaged by the difference in syllabuses and now they are trying to kill us. Oh, well… At least it’s a normal Tuesday.
“You inspired me, actually,” I admit sheepishly.
Rylan tilts his head, confused. “How? Is it because my father cut off me from my trust fund? If so—you’re welcome.”
I snort. “Sadly, no. It’s when you joked about having three dicks and an endless supply of caffeine. I started applying at coffee shops because I figured they could just pay me in beverages if needed. I’m not picky.”
He folds his arms, smirking. “I mean, it’s a fair point with the sleep deprivation. You do need food occasionally, though.”
“Do I? Food is overrated.”
“So, I don’t need to order the takeout then?”
I lean back on flat palms, staring at him in amusement. “Not now that you’ve reminded me about your pretty boy money problems. I’d feel bad. Did you need me to get you a job too?” I tease.
Rylan grins, shaking his head. “The two of us working together? We wouldn’t last a day.”
“In all seriousness—are you okay though?”
The smile doesn’t fade from his face. “I’m great. My father seriously underestimates my willingness to piss him off. Besides, I withdrew a comfortable amount the moment I suspected he was going to pull a stunt like that.”
“In that case, dinner is still on you then, rich boy.”
He reaches for his phone. “I had a feeling you’d say that. Not that you were getting a choice. I was planning on ordering whether you liked it or not.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Nodding, his fingers tap across the screen. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that you were awake at 3:00 a.m. You’re quiteviolent when you toss and turn. I was worried about getting an elbow in the throat at one stage.”
“Says the pillow princess,” I mumble. “You hogged the pillowsandblankets last night. I’m glad it’s summer, otherwise I’d freeze to death.”
Without glancing up, a sly grin breaks across his face. “Fairly certain Tai is the pillow princess. I caught him wearing an eye mask once. He blamed Sophia, but his flawless skin gives him away.”
“Jealous?” I tease him, snorting. “What’s your skincare routine then? Because it clearly isn’t beauty sleep since you apparently stalk me at odd hours.”
“I like to bathe in the blood of my enemies and steal souls.”
“And here I thought you were stealing or buying organs on the black market for sacrificial rituals. I guess I’m safe then.”
