Page 50 of Unrest
“Ran out of ramen,” Sean said. He sent a nervous look to J.D., who did not chuckle along with the others.
“No word from your partner?” I guessed.
J.D. swallowed hard. “We could have given it another day, or at least left a note.”
Sean’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing. I had a feeling it had been a fight to get him out of that cabin.
“Well, you’re as safe as you’re going to get here,” Remy said. “And there’s food.”
Both of their eyes lit up at this.
J.D. peered around at us, his eyes catching on all of the six packs on display. “Why are you all so sweaty?”
“We were at the gym,” Remy said with a laugh.
His arms tightened. “This place gives me the creeps. I have a feeling it’s not homo friendly.”
“Nobody’s gonna mess with you,” Tex said with absolute authority.
J.D. gave him a bashful, grateful smile. “Okay.”
Josh laughed. “These bastards will be glad you’re not more dudes they have to compete with for the handful of females.”
J.D. snorted, but he seemed to loosen up a tiny bit.
“I’ll get you guys something to eat,” Remy said. When she opened the door, Top came in.
“You should all go, except Miss Tate.” He looked at me. “I’ll need you to take their vitals after they’ve been questioned.”
J.D. blanched and reached for Sean’s hand.
“It’s all right,” Sean assured him.
We filed from the room. I turned toward the exam room and felt fingers take hold of mine. I spun to Rylen, who held my hand.
He gave me a small smile. “This is good, right?”
Him holding my hand? My mouth bobbed open and closed.
“Them making it here?” he clarified.
“Oh, yes. It’s awesome.”
He squeezed my hand before releasing me and heading down the hall. I stared at his tapered waist. The tribal tattoos that spiked down the backs of his arms. His perfectly toned calves under the nylon shorts. Why did he have to be so hot? And confusing?
I went into the exam room, but didn’t have to wait long for J.D. to enter. They’d already partially debriefed him before Top came to get us. J.D.’s vitals were all normal, but he was underweight and still cold.
“Did Remy feed you?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“No problem. Few days of food and some warm showers and you’ll be feeling more like yourself. They’ll want to find a job for you. What did you do before?”
“Modeling. Some commercials.”
Oh. Well, crap.
“And I was a hairdresser.”
