Page 66 of The Sidekick

I scoff and turn back to the rest of the table, frowning at their shocked looks.

“What?” I snap, still fully engaged in arguing with Shade mode.

Shade promptly stands and walks away.

“What’s happening?” Brian, Andi’s third boyfriend, asks in confusion as he watches him leave.

“He has to ‘take a piss,’” I use my fingers to quote him. “I guess he can’t say that in a fancy restaurant. He said it plenty of times at the rest stops and fast-food places.”

“Did you just say piss?” Damien asks in surprise.

“It isn’t a cuss word,” I glare at him. “Stop being dramatic.”

“Who are you? Because you are not the Tera we know,” Ira says with a frown.

“Are you two dating?” Andi asks gleefully. I note down for later that I get a couple of death glares for that question. Shade will be excited.

“No, we’re frienemies,” I shrug.

“What the fuck is that?” Felix snaps, losing his frigid tone in his anger. Noting that, too.

“You’re dating,” Andi gives a quiet squeal.

“No, we’re not,” I frown. “I’m convinced he is a demon sent to torment me. He’s found his true calling.”

“That’s the most I’ve ever heard that man speak. And I’ve never heard you be angry before. Something is up,” Alec explains as if I’m a child. I know he’s quiet to them.

“Consider yourself lucky he doesn’t talk to you,” I assure him.

“Stop talking shit and look at your menu,” Shade says as he slides into his seat.

I give a huff of frustration and eye the different options. My stomach is too queasy with nerves to be able to eat anything at this point. “Nothing sounds good.”

“I’ll pick for you.”

I glare at him, “Stop trying to control my life.”

“They have escargot. How do you like snails?”

“I’ll have a salad.”

He gives me his signature flat look and says, “You’ll have a cheeseburger and greasy fries.”

I grab the first thing my hand finds and wave it at him threateningly. It’s a measly spoon.

“Do not start -”

He cuts me off by blocking my face with his menu, smacking my cheek as he pretends he’s handing it off to someone.

“She’s having a cheeseburger,” he says flatly.

“Of course, sir,” a different waiter’s voice replies.

Once the menu is removed, I glare across from me at Brian, who fidgets nervously at the look. I calmly pick up the glass of iced water in front of Shade and pour it into his lap.

“Oops,” I say so sarcastically no one would take me seriously.

He clenches his jaw and pops his neck as the liquid soaks into his pants. He ignores the ice cubes slowly melting as he stares off at nothing, and I give Andi a triumphant grin.

---