Page 52 of Wild Blades

Clapping my hands, I rub them together and walk confidently over to him. “Okay, what are we thinking?”

“Black ones, like yours.” He points to my feet, even more giddy now. “The high boot ones. Would that be okay?” Looking unsure as if he’s just asked me to buy him the moon.

“Great choice. Pick another pair. What about the same style but these ones?” I pick up an All Star Chuck Taylor Low Top.

“Two pairs?” His little jaw drops open.

“It’s not every day you’re seven.” I justify my reason, although it’s not that. I like this kid. He’s cute.

“Thank you. I’m gonna be the coolest boy in school.”

“Oh yeah, you are. Now let’s get your size.” And before we know it, Rory has two new fresh pairs of kicks and is as happy as a clam.

“Thank you for everything.” Rory’s father clasps both his hands with mine.

“No problem, it was a pleasure.” I feel like I did something worthwhile today. Maybe for the first time in a year.

“We have an issue.” Graham sounds panicky.

“We do?” I ask.

“Oh, wow.” Kali gasps and I follow her line of sight.

“Oh.” I seem to have drawn a bigger crowd than before; it’s grown by at least ten times from the last time I looked through the store windows.

“No one else is getting in,” Graham confirms, adding, “You can leave through the back.”

“I’m capturing this for social media.” Kali pulls her phone out again. She’s already had Rory and his parents pose for photos, taken Rory’s parents' details, as well as having them sign a media waiver allowing us to publish Rory’s photos.

She’s nothing but thorough and her mind is never off the job.

Because that’s what I am. A job.

She’s being paid to make me look better.

Nothing more.

Which is a real fucking shame because she’s sexy as hell and if she wasn’t so hung up on the age difference, I would ask her out on a date. Something I never do.

Through the glass, I can hear Kali’s name being called as well as mine.Ihaven’t drawn a crowd,weboth have.

“We’re not going out the back,” Kali says coolly.

“No?” I’m confused and worried.

Taking the back route has become my only option lately, and it protects me from being verbally abused.

The boos and disappointed jeers from fans have been chipping away at my self-confidence for months. As much as I hold my head up high and pretend it doesn’t affect me, it does.

“Will it be safe?”What if hate mail mutates into something more serious?I never considered this while smashing people’s faces in and trying to find the answer to my grief at the bottom of a bottle.

“You’ll be safe. Don’t worry.” Grinning at me, I know Kali has a plan. She always has a plan which settles the nerves in my stomach. Holding her phone to her ear with one hand, she holds the pointer finger of her other hand up, asking for a minute.

“Hey, Max. Are you close by?” She smiles down the phone. I’ve never met anyone as organized in my life. Well, that is, except for Lola. Marcus knew what he was doing when he formed my team. He hired nothing but the best.

“Great, can you come to Box’d Fresh, please?” Quiet for a second, she then says, “Wade is going to meet and greet the crowd outside. We just need a few of you for crowd control. We’ll wait inside. Bring Lewis, Brandon, and Trevor, too. Be quick.” Then she hangs up. “Sorted.” Looking at Rory and his parents, she adds, “I think you three should go out the back though, just to be safe.”

“Agreed,” Rory’s parents both say at the same time.

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