Page 10 of Forever

“What’s wrong with my shoes?” Rob looked down.

“They’re not Odegaards.”

“Of course they’re not. That company sucks. The owner is a lying, crazy person with an insane complex that makes him label friendships inaccurately.”

“I’m going to kill you by beating you to death with your basic ass shoes,” Tanner said.

“Whoa.” I stepped between them on the stairs. “Enough.”

“He started it,” they both said at the same time again and pointed to each other.

It was like hanging out with Scarlett and Sophie. “Do you two not understand the severity of what is going on right now? Brooklyn needs me. And for once in my fucking life, I’m not going to let her down. So get your shit together or leave.”

Tanner cracked his knuckles. “We’re ready. Right, Robert?”

I looked down at the step Rob was on.

Rob nodded. “Shit, someone is coming!” He gestured up the stairs where the sounds of footsteps were coming from. “Act normal.”

Tanner started whistling and then ran up the stairs toward the noise.

“That’s not normal!” Rob hissed. “And why are you running toward the person?” But he started running up too.

Fuck.I ran up the stairs after them.

“Top of the morning to you, good sir,” Tanner said.

The security guard stared at him. “What did you just say to me?”

“Did I say something weird?” Tanner asked and turned to us. “I don’t think I did.”

You definitely did.

The security guard pulled out his radio. But before he clicked on the button, Tanner karate chopped him right in the throat.

He coughed and bent forward and then toppled to his knees.

What the fuck?!

He fell onto his side and didn’t move at all.

“Did you just kill him?” Rob asked.

“No.” Tanner cocked his head to the side. “I mean, I don’t think so. I’m a little rusty. I hope I didn’t hit his throat too low.” He shook his head. “No, he’s just asleep. I’m sure of it.” He smiled. “Not rusty after all. High five.”

I just stared at him. I was seriously worried he’d just killed that security guard, despite what he said.

“Fucking ninja,” Rob said instead of high-fiving him.

“No, I’m not classically trained in that.” Tanner leaned down and grabbed the guard’s radio. “Come on, we better go before he wakes up.” And then he started sprinting up the stairs again.

Rob and I glanced at each other. Yeah, I had no idea what that was either. I grabbed Rob’s arm and we followed Tanner up the stairs.

We didn’t run into anyone else. But Rob and I were completely out of breath by the time we reached the top floor. Tanner was just standing there breathing normally though.

“How are you not tired?” Rob said. “This hotel is fucking tall.”

“Oh. I lift the weights. And…cycle? Yes. And…what’s that other thing people do all the time to stay fit? Shot put.”

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