The Flyght Series Box Set by Pajonas S. J

Author:Pajonas, S. J. [Pajonas, S. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781940599779
Goodreads: 55302374
Publisher: Onigiri Press
Published: 2020-09-09T07:00:00+00:00

16

I make it all the way to a nearby cafe before I realize I have no idea how I got there. The hiss of the coffee machine jolts me out of my head, the barista asking me what I want in English then Spanish. I answer in Japanese twice before I switch.

Palo Alto always confuses me with their languages.

“I need cake,” I blurt out. And eggs, toast, and bacon would be nice. Ohhh, how about a muffin?

The barista laughs, his voice low and hearty. “At nine-thirty in the morning? Been that hard of a day already?”

“Yes. I’ll take the coffee, the cake, and a huge helping of humility.”

“You got it.”

I find a seat in the corner and hide my stained pants under the table. Ugh. I need to get them back to the ship and see if I can salvage them.

Unlike my pride, which I never considered could be hurt like this. I can’t think of any way that meeting could have gone worse. I figured he may have been harboring resentment against me for breaking up with him, but I didn’t think he would be so... so hurtful.

That’s how I feel. Hurt. And I have no right to be. I was the one who hurt him.

Sigh. I shouldn’t have blindsided him like that. No one wants to be confronted by their ex when they least expect it.

I don’t even look when the coffee and cake slide onto the table. If I make eye contact with anyone, I’ll cry.

So I screwed up our only chances of getting our Flyght permit, and now I have to think. Think think think, Vivian. What can I do next?

I have no idea.

The coffee and cake go down the hatch without so much as registering them, but my body knows the difference between shock, and caffeine plus sugar. My thoughts buzz along at a lightning pace, and my knee bounces under the table as I consider any and all possibilities.

Thinking back on my black market talks with my fellow finance students, I make a short list in my head. What about a male escort service? Prostitution is only illegal in the Californikos system which means I could make the most money here. But I don’t think the Amagi is big enough to house the number of men I’d need to pull off a brothel. Drugs are a possibility. Marijuana is legal everywhere, but only the best growers are making advancements in potency and processing. Stimulants and opioids are harder to produce and more illegal, especially for those serving in high-ranking positions or the Duo Systems military.

I imagine myself as a drug runner, and I’m both intrigued and disgusted with myself. This is the sort of thing my brother would do, not me. It’s probably what got him in trouble in the first place.

After twenty minutes of hemming and hawing, I come up with nothing else. At least right now. It’s time to head on up to the ship and face the music. I need to admit to Skylar that I failed, and I’m sure I’ll hear nothing but shit from her about it.

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