Page 39 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

“You’re Spiderman, but instead of Peter Parker as your alter ego you look like that guy who runs the mountain. What’s his name? Carter?” He laughs at his own joke, holding his fist out for me to bump. “Nice one.”

“Uh, thanks.” I shoot Sloan a look that says,‘Don’t even think about it,’as I reluctantly bring our knuckles together, then steer the bike to the door. When we get outside his laughter overtakes him.

“It wasn’t that funny.” I weave my way toward a side street to get out of the foot traffic around the store.

“Oh, but it was.” Sloan walks his own bike behind me. “I bet he’s not the only one to make that comparison today since that Carter guy doesn’t get out much.”

“You should be nicer to your boss.” I cast him a devious grin.

“You should forget you are the boss. At least for the day. Come on.” He climbs on his bike. “The rest of the group are meeting us at The Underground.”

“The Underground?”

“Dex’s bar. I think we need to get you something for that cupholder before we start our laps.”

We bike a few blocks and dismount by a set of stairs leading to the basement level of a retail shop. Sloan leans his bike against a tree and walks toward the door while I gape at him.

“Shouldn’t we lock these up or something?”

“You’ve lived here a year and don’t know that no one locks anything around here?” He shakes his head like he’s disappointed, though he’s wearing a hint of a smile. “You’re worse off than I thought.” He heads for a flight of stairs, leaving me no choice but to prop my bike along his and follow.

Downstairs is a dark room in mostly red with black furniture. An ornate wood bar lines the back wall, liquor bottles stacked to theceiling, which isn’t all that high, so the display is a tad underwhelming. A group of superheroes sit on the barstools, shouting and laughing until one notices me. Then they all go quiet.

“Everyone, Carter. Carter, everyone,” Sloan hollers as he strides into the room, leaving me lingering awkwardly in the doorway. It’s an effective way to make it look like he got saddled with me against his will. I sort of hate it even though I know it’s for the best.

As the crowd turns back to their drinks I chase after him to an empty spot near the bar. A large bald man with a bow and arrow on his back comes over to take our order. I vaguely remember an Avenger with a bow, but not a bald one. I must be staring because he grunts at me. “Hawkeye. Wigs too fuckin’ hot to wear in here.”

I point to my outfit. “This is too fuckin’ hot to wear in here. I’m not taking it off though.” That earns me a nod of approval, I think.

“Two beers please, Dex. In a plastic cup if you don’t mind, so we can take them on the bike.”

“Are we trying to conceal the fact we’re riding with open containers?” I arch a thick brow in his direction.

“We are.” He grins back at me. “Not that anyone would care since this is all for a good cause, but there’s no need to make it obvious.”

As we wait, a red-haired girl in an equally red outfit comes up to us. “Finally. As soon as you’ve got drinks, we’re doing ten laps as a group.” She turns to leave then abruptly stops and faces me, as if she either just noticed me or justdecidedto notice me, hand extended. “Ally.”

“Carter.” We shake once before she pulls her hand back.

“Fits okay?” She gestures at my costume.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“It might be hard to see with the mask on but try to pull it down when we ride past the finish line. That’s where we’ll be the most visible.”

“Is that where the judges are? What’s the prize for best costumes?”

She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “There’s no prize.”

“Why do all this then?”

“Bragging rights.” She shrugs and drifts off.

I watch her go for a few paces then turn to face Sloan. “That’s?...”

“My sister. Yep.” He sips her beer.

“You two look nothing alike. You don’t really act alike, either.”

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