“Got it.” Mina and I say together.
We pull in next to a big truck. It’s not new, but it’s well taken care of and the smell coming from it is from Tyler and Mike. There are days that I do really appreciate my very distinct sense of smell. “Tyler and Mike are here for sure. Mike drove them here in his truck.” I tell the group.
“How do you know it’s Mike’s truck? I just smell them both here.”
“Let’s just say I have a unique sense of smell and can pick out different scents, even blended together like this. Mike’s scent is stronger on the drivers side.”
We walk around the truck to the side of the building where more cars are parked and I can hear a low murmur of voices.
“Hey! You made it! I was wondering if you were going to stand me up.” Tyler comes running over to us.
“We are right on time, unless you lied to me to try and make us late. Were you trying to avoid introducing us to your friends?’ I look at him seriously but smile, hopefully it came off as teasing, but I’m interested in getting this party started and I need names for the team to run later.
“Would you be mad if I said maybe?’ He bumps me with his elbow as he leads us overto the group milling about. He hasnt even acknowledged Mina, something is going on for sure.
“You brought more girls? There’s already too many.” “A voice whines from the left of the crowd.
A platinum blonde bigger than me, but smaller than Mina steps out of the crowd. Clearly the queen bee here in this group.
“Janice, this is Skylar and Mina. They are new and I thought they could use a group to run with, so yes I invited them.” “Are you so quick to get bored with the other girls here
Tyler?” She’s questioning him, but it feels like reprimanding too, maybe a sly way to let me know he’s a player.
The problem is, I already know he’s a player, she’s the idiot not me.
“Not bored, just being friendly.”
“Whatever. Just don’t get in our way. We take this run seriously. The last girl he brought couldn’t keep up for even a mlle. Don’t be a little b*tch and stay out of the way, got it?” “Yep.” I responded, popping the “Sky, you keep your head on straight. Don’t let her bait you into a competition. She’s trying to see what you’ll do.”
Nickolas chimes in.
“Thank you captain, I have never been in any form of competition before where people try to get in your head. I never would have thought of that. This is actually the part I am good at guys. I appreciate the vote of confidence, really.”
“Maybe, but this is your first op. and a little close to home. I just want to make sure you’re thinking clearly, now stop acting like a petulant teenager.”
“You do realize that is exactly what I am, right? Like literally a teenager.”
“Shut up, smart ass. Go run and show us all how wonderful you are at it.”
“Now who’s the smartass?”
