Reeve and Weber create different serums, hoping something will spark dynamis in at least one of us. So far, no luck. How are we going to heal from battle? How are we going to defeat Rebecca?
Finding out she’s back in the game has jacked up my protective instincts to the max. I refuse to leave Frosty’s side. I even follow him into the bathroom one morning—you’re welcome, Ali. Yeah, he promptly kicks me out and slams the door in my face, but I stand guard outside. To get to him, Rebecca will have to go through me.
But while I’m more determined than ever to save him, he’s more determined than ever to ditch me. The only time he seeks me out is at night, and only because we share a room. He no longer sleeps on the bed. He makes a pallet on the floor. We don’t talk the way we did our first night here. In fact, we barely speak at all. We definitely don’t look at each other. Too afraid of having another vision, I suppose.
The times he manages to lose me—like now—are agony for me. To be honest, though, that agony is nothing compared to what I feel whenever he’s near. One glance, that’s all it takes, and I’m solely focused on him, everything else forgotten. My skin pulls tight over my bones and I go liquid inside. I lose my breath. I ache.
I hate it. I love it.
At least Kat approves of my dedication to my job. She appears to me to tell me I’m doing such a good job it’s almost like she’s doing it.
I use the opportunity to question her. “Do you guys date up there in the holding zone, or whatever?”
“Yeah. People date, get married. All the good stuff.”
“Are you dating anyone?”
Twin pink circles dot her cheeks, and I gasp.
“You are!”
“I’m not,” she says, glaring at me. “I’m really not.”
“But you’re interested in someone. I can tell.”
“Oh, just shut up! And don’t you dare tell Frosty about this. I don’t want him hurting any more than he already is. Not that there’s anything to tell him, because I. Don’t. Want. Anyone,” she snaps before disappearing.
Please. I could be water boarded, and I wouldn’t tell Frosty about this. But knowing she has moved on and she’s happy rids me of a lot of my guilt.
Soon after our exchange, Cole corners me in the locker room. It’s just the two of us, and he looks ready to commit murder.
“What are you doing to my boy?” he demands.
“What do you mean?”
“The way he follows you and watches you... I’m not sure if he wants to choke you or screw you. If you’re antagonizing him—”
“I’m not. And what do you mean, he follows me?”
“If you’re teasing him—”
“I’m not!” I repeat. “Now, about him following me...”
He purses his lips and storms away.
After that, I keep watch for Frosty. Another week passes and I discover he does follow me. I confront him about it, expecting him to admit he hoped to catch me doing something wrong, but he is more embarrassed than angry—as if he watches me because he wants to, maybe even hopes to protect me.
I just... I don’t know what to think anymore.
I’m running the treadmill to expel some tension and build my stamina when my phone beeps. I see Frosty’s name on the screen and bite my lip to stop a grin of happiness. He’s speaking to me again?
A treadmill expert, I don’t have to stop the machine to read it—or reply. (Don’t try this at home.)
Frosty: I’m hungry. Make lunch?
Me: Sure. I’ll make U a sandwich. In never. Make sure U set UR watch
Frosty: It’s set for Maypril 32nd, 1:63 a.m. But I don’t want a sandwich, I want pizza.
Me: Name 1 thing wrong w/a sandwich
Frosty: It’s not pizza
I snort. He’s got me there.
Frosty: This is a special day. I’m officially a HS graduate. Shouldn’t I get an award???
I’m proud of him. Graduating is a feat for anyone, but especially for a slayer.
Me: Yes! I’ll give U award—1 sandwich coming up
Frosty: Cruel, Milla, Cruel. Where R U?
Me: Gym, why?
Frosty: Hoping U decided 2 go 2 kitchen & MAKE THAT PIZZA.
Me: No chance
Frosty: Speaking of, Chance w/U?
Me: No, WHY???
For some reason, Frosty’s rage against Chance has only grown these past few weeks.
Frosty: What R U wearing?
Are you kidding me with this? He’s been ignoring me all week, and now he’s flirting with me?
Me: Were U hit in the head this morning??
Frosty: What? U don’t want 2 coordinate outfits?
Me: I’m naked. Wear the same outfit & meet me in the kitchen 4 that sandwich
“I thought we agreed on pizza. And you are so not naked.”
I jolt, the smooth huskiness of his voice a caress to my ears. I look over to find him standing in the doorway, his shoulder pressed against the frame, his arms crossed. The tingles and aches only he has the power to cause immediately start up, and the heat he always ignites quickly spreads.
“Congratulations on finally becoming a real man,” I say.
“Thanks. It was a long time coming.”
Could he be any more adorable? Longing sweeps me up and under. I want more from him. A lot more. I want to know everything. But I don’t even know his real name.