He didn't smile.
She sniffed. “So I tell Swain where to shove it tomorrow?”
“The angrier the better. Verbally punch me in the face,” he said wryly.
“I think I can do that,” she smiled, sounding like herself again.
“Don't give away that we mean more to each other than friends.”
She frowned at him, uncertain of what he thought about that.
He read the look on her face. “We mean more than friends. At least, on my part.”
Her lips curved up. “I'll remember that.”
~Chapter 37 - Huddle~
Wednesday, June 29th
Log Bridge River
Jaz and the others were huddled round a log fire at the Log Bridge River. Two days passed since the ambush at the Silverback River; the memory was still fresh, so for the time being, they all decided to stay clear of that place.
The scent of burning wood and barbecued meat was in the air. They munched on burgers with splodges of ketchup, happily licking the red sauce from their lips and fingers and telling jokes. It had been Alf and Kenna's idea to try to keep them occupied.
Skye was feeling particularly down with her brother still in the infirmary. He'd suffered a concussion but mostly he was just shaken up by the incident. Doctor Astrid said it would be best for him to stay the night there and go back home in the morning.
That day, they also found out the date of the Pack Leader duel. It was set for two days time -Friday, July 1st. Jaz knew it would be a day she'd never forget.
Alf nudged her shoulder, handing her another burger.
She groaned, “I can't.”
“Go on,” he nudged her again, “y'know you want to.”
She pulled a face.
“Don't hold out on me, Skin. Men like a woman who can eat.”
She laughed and took the burger from him.
“Skye? You want one?” he offered.
Skye shook her head from her quiet place across the fire; Kelda was hunched over on her left, Kenna was perched on her right.
Kenna passed Jaz some Greek salad she'd made for everyone and Jaz took a generous helping before handing it to Alf.
“I hope Nik will kill him,” Kenna said, leaning back on her log seat.
They all looked up.
She had a fire in her eyes that didn't come from the reflection of the burning wood. “I really hope he does.”
Skye and Jaz exchanged looks.
“For Ronnie,” Jaz said, holding up her hand that grasped her burger.
Skye smiled, a tear rolled down her cheek.
Alf slapped his lap, raising his burger in salute. “For Ronnie. I'd gladly volunteer to kick Kain's big head in for beating up my little munchkin!”
Everyone sniggered; Jaz and Alf smirked at each other for their burger salute.
Even Skye smiled though the tears still flowed. She sniffed, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “Nik'll win, Jaz,” she whispered. “He will.”
Jaz sighed. “Put it this way... he has to,” she replied without meeting anyone's gaze. “Otherwise... I don't even wanna think what that will mean for this Pack.”
*
Later that day...
“What do you mean I can't go?!” Jaz yelled, pelting a cushion at Nik's chest from across the room.
“Jaz, calm down!” Alf shouted over the hurling of sofa cushions.
When she ran out of missiles, she grabbed the first thing she could: a big, heavy ornament of an angel.
Kenna cried out, snatching it from her. “Mum will kill you! Or us! Or both!” Then she cradled it protectively in her arms.
Jaz clenched her fists, tempted to use them on whoever was closest.
Kenna instinctively leant back.
“I thought you said it'd be too hard to watch anyway?” Kelda argued catching Jaz's attention.
Jaz shot her a venomous glare and Kelda balked, brushing her growing bangs behind her bright pink ear.
Nik didn't say a word. He didn't even dodge Jaz's cushion attack. He was watching her in his dark, indefinable way that she could feel from across the room. Her breath faltered when their eyes locked. For a moment it was like no one was there.
“Nik, just let her go.”
Jaz was surprised to find the words had come out of Alf's mouth. Alf worshipped the ground Nik walked on. She'd never heard him disagree with any of Nik's decisions.
Nik studied him for a long moment. “Apart from the obvious, what other reason could I have?” He enunciated it in a way that made Jaz realize Alf was very much aware of what he was talking about.
Kenna glanced Jaz's way in an awkward jittery movement. When Jaz tried to study her face she turned her chin to the side. Jaz then looked at Kelda but she dodged her gaze. Jaz frowned.
“You can smell it. Especially now,” Nik said, bringing her back to him.
Alf flashed a look at Jaz before fixing his ocean eyes on the wooden floor.
“Am I missing something?” Jaz asked in a husky voice, then cleared her throat. No one looked at her apart from Nik. She raised her brows, her eyes sharp.
It wasn't he who replied.
“He means your scent, at this time especially, is more... obvious.”
She scowled at Alf. “Speak English!” But before he could answer she understood.