Tekgrrl by Menden A. J

Author:Menden, A. J. [Menden, A. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, action adventure, Science fiction
Publisher: Leisure
Published: 2009-05-04T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sleep came to me, but in restless fits and with vague nightmares, whispers in the dark of monsters hiding in shadow. When I finally gave up and decided to rise the next morning, I felt like I had barely slept at all.

As I sat up in bed, yawning, stretching and trying to get my limbs to work, it occurred to me that Paul had shown up at some point in my endless stretch of alternately strange and terrifying dreams. That realization alone was enough to make me feel awkward, never mind the nightmares. What had happened between us yesterday? Was it emotional fallout from my rediscovered past, me reaching out for someone, anyone, for comfort? Had Paul really been trying to make Kate jealous and simply got a little too into his role? Or was this something else entirely that neither of us were prepared to handle?

I brushed such thoughts aside and pushed myself up and out of bed. There was nothing between me and Paul, of all people. We had both been suffering from personal and team crises and had shared a weak moment. That was all. I would get up today and our relationship would be strictly professional.

Maybe it was in reaction to my memories, a defense mechanism to once again rebel, to hide the pain even from myself, or perhaps it was in reaction to the weirdness with Paul, but I found myself pulling out an old and pleated black miniskirt and knee-high boots. I added a soft blue sweater that made my eyes stand out but was also a bit conservative. It was a mix of the old and new me.

Satisfied, I headed outside of my room and about ran into Kate, who seemed to be lying in wait.

I took a step back. “Kate. Hi. What’s up?”

Even though she was dressed as usual to the nines, in a bright red silk kimono dress with matching lipstick, she looked a little less like herself. There was something hiding in her eyes, a sadness or pain that seemed to permeate her aura. Today she seemed tired and ancient and trying to hide it.

“Hello, Mindy,” she said, and gave me a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Had Paul’s jab really worked? “I just wanted to speak with you in private for a moment.”

“Sure.” I gestured around the silent corridor. No one was close. “Go ahead.”

“I just wanted to say that I know I wasn’t a good girlfriend for Paul,” she remarked. The words hit me like a blunt object. “And I’m happy he’s moving on.”

“Uh-huh…” I didn’t know what to say. After all, making Kate jealous was the whole point of Paul kissing me. Should I admit to the truth and undo the whole thing?

Kate continued: “I don’t want you to feel awkward around me at all. We’re grown-ups here. After all, this isn’t the first time one of my exes has moved on to someone else on the team.”

“Uh-huh,” I said. It was amazing how Kate could somehow turn the fact that she’d had so many exes into bragging.

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