Page 130 of G.O.D.S Omnibus

“Not my secret to tell, though Jimmie is just a computer tech. For the record, Sinclair wanted to tell you, but Mr Z wouldn’t allow it. Try not to be hard on them and understand they had no choice.”

“You know, I keep hearing everyone say that they had no choice,” I snap, walking over to him and snatching my phone from his hands.

“Stop being so damn selfish and have a look around you. I understand the way you grew up gives you a different perspective, but we never had that and neither did they. Sinclair and Jimmie come from extremely wealthy families. This is their reality. Sinclair’s choice was between this life or marrying some rich asshole who would sleep with his secretary behind her back until she was considered too old. Then he would’ve traded her in for someone half her age and she would be left with nothing. This way, she can at least build her own life.”

“I can understand that, and it’s why I’m so torn. But it still fucking hurts. Are they really even my friends?” I mutter, sitting down next to Kai on my bed.

“If they weren’t, Sinclair wouldn’t have come and bathed you. Because you stunk. She didn’t have to do that, but we asked, and she came. Jimmie also tried to visit, and he was willing to fight Creed to get in the door.”

I laugh just imagining Jimmie at his size and weight trying to stand up to Creed; he wouldn’t have survived. Guess I need to talk to them tomorrow and make things right. It’s just that I don’t know if I will be able to trust them the way I did before this, but I’ll take it one day at a time. At least knowing that they’re part of this world means I don’t need to pretend anymore or keep as many secrets.

Chapter Twelve

Jolie

Arriving at school, my stomach in knots, I take a deep breath as I hit the top step and enter the courtyard. Movement has me looking up, and I see the solemn faces of Jimmie and Sinclair. Danika is talking away to Kai, who is pretending to listen, and I slowly walk across the path that leads to our table.

“Hey, Danika, want to come for a walk with me?” Kai suggests. “These guys need to talk. We can come up with strategies to win Joshua back.”

Her face lights up at his words and she follows him away.

Taking a seat opposite my two remaining friends, we sit in silence. I’m not exactly sure what to say; the whole vibe is tense and slightly weird, like I’m the new girl all over again sitting amongst a bunch of strangers.

“I’m so sorry,” Sinclair starts, reaching out to take my hand, but I instinctively pull it back. Hurt flashes across her face, making me feel guilty.

“How about you explain it from the start?” I ask them.

Jimmie glances at Sinclair, then turns back to me and nods.

“First, I was sent here undercover last year, but I can’t tell you why. However, you need to know that meeting you was purely by accident; I was never forced to befriend you. Everything between us has been real.”

“Do you have a team?” I question, hoping that everything he’s saying is the truth.

“I do. Betty in reception is part of my team. The other four assholes wouldn’t pass as high-school students.”

“How are you old enough to not be in high school?” my curiosity is peaked, and he smiles.

“I’m only eighteen. I graduated high school early, though my team wasn’t exactly happy about that, but here I am. Jolie, I still really want to be your friend. Honestly, I’ve never had a real friend before. No one takes me seriously except Betty, but sometimes I think that she just feels sorry for me.”

“And you?” I ask, turning to Sinclair. Guilt washes over her face and she tries to hide it with a tight smile.

“I don’t have a team, but my brother does. When I found out about this life, I wanted in, but it was too late to be put into a team. The role I’m being trained for is helping people who come into Olympia late transition into this life. I really do go to this school, and Mr Z wasn’t happy I had discovered some of the things that I did, but he decided to give me a shot. I found out I would be assigned to you the day after I met with him. It was to be your friend and to make sure none of the G.O.D.S gave you a hard time. He wanted your transition to be smooth, but the more I got to know you, the more I wanted to be your friend. What we have is real,” she says, motioning between us. “I promise you that.”

“Please tell me we’re good,” Jimmie pleads. “I need you in my life.”

“Yeah, we’re good.”

I knew deep down there was a reason I hadn’t trusted Sinclair, and now I realise I should always trust my gut. But I think now that everything’s out in the open, we can work on that. Though I might be a little suspicious that she is still going back to Mr Z. These were the first people to be my friends and they kept secrets from me. It may take a while to get back to normal—but we will get there.

“Jimmie, was that really your mum who I met?” I ask.

“Yes. But I don’t actually live there anymore since we have to live with our teams after we graduate. She was just excited for me to have a girl in my room.”

We all laugh.

“And Sinclair, how much of what I do ends up being told to Mr Z?”

“None of our personal conversations, just my observations on how you were interacting with Hades and now Zeus. I’m willing to tell him whatever you want me to, as long as it’s believable. Kai filled me in a little on your situation with him and swore me to secrecy. Well, Chester and Creed did—those guys are scary. They want to see my weekly reports before I send them, and I’m happy to show you in case he asks you any questions.”

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