“Hey, kitten! Last chance to stay!”
I know he is grinning. So I don’t turn but raise my middle finger in the air and hear his laughter.
It’s three hours back to camp.
And now the boys are talking.
They discuss the people they know, whatever Marlow told Ty. I stay quiet, no questions, because I want to find out as much as I can.
The Westside got attacked by the town thugs three weeks ago. Surveillance was disrupted. Several guards were hurt. The attacks are getting more frequent and thought-out, though Archer has patrol in town too.
He is angrier than ever, often flying off the handle and doing drugs.
The boat wreck washed up ashore.
There is another survivor from our crew, some IT kid.
Someone died several months back after an epilepsy attack.
Another girl died, pulled away by a strong tide.
I take it all in, and one thing is clear—the Kardashian bootcamp is not as well-off as I thought.
33
CALLIE
He’s back!
My heart thuds to the sound of the words in my head.
“They are back!”
The news spreads across the village, but only Dani, Maddy, Bo, several guys, and I hurry to the Common Lounge.
“And?” Maddy asks impatiently.
Ty tosses his backpack aside in what looks like disappointment. “They know how many survivors there are. Another one is on their side. Marlow was on patrol,” he explains.
“I miss that fucker,” Owen says with a smile.
Ty keeps talking while Kai lights a cigarette and smokes, sitting on the floor next to Owen.
My eyes dart from Ty to Katura, who lights a joint and sits, slumped, on the low couch, her legs crossed at the ankles like she just came back from a stroll.
I look at Kai again, trying to read his face. My heart beats so fast that I want to jump in the ocean that I am not a fan of so I can chill the hell out.
“So we wait,” Bo concludes, hearing the entire story, even though many won’t like the news.
Kai gets up and walks out, and I go after him.
“Kai,” I call, trotting after him. He stops and looks at me, his gaze burning through my heart.
His shirt is soaked with sweat. The smoke of his cigarette tints the air around us. He looks like sin in jeans and boots, with the backpack over his shoulder. I want this sin wrapped around me.
“I don’t want to go to the Westside,” I say.
That’s it, I said it. I want to see Abby, but more than that, I want to be here, with Kai and the rest.