Gifted Connections 4

“Liar,” I teased him. I remembered his assistance last night, and I was going to try to get to know him. We really needed to make this connection. The sooner we did it, the sooner my life could return to normal and he could go back to California.

“Takes one to know one,” he said with a pointed look. “Why did you lie to Jace earlier? Is it a habit with you?”

I bristled immediately, so much for hoping a new day meant a fresh, clean slate. He was just so insufferable. “I generally don’t lie but when it comes to my well-being some of the guys are slightly overbearing,” I explained reluctantly.

Troy sat down on the other side of Jace and handed me the creamer as I gave him his coffee. He smiled his thanks to me, and I returned it.

“I don’t think I have ever seen that many people volunteer in the hospital wing as I did yesterday,” Pops said in amusement as he put his cup up to his lips. “I have a feeling we may need more people, though.”

“There are a lot of people camped out there,” Paul confirmed.

“More than we can handle at the moment,” Pops added.

I looked over at them. I had a feeling something was coming. I looked over at Will. He was looking at Lincoln and me in contemplation.

He grimaced suddenly. “I called for backup, Blake,” I nodded at him in contemplation. It seemed odd that he was singling me out with the news. “We need more healers. Stacey has volunteered to come. Would you like me to tell Beau she’s not needed?”

I pushed my hair back. I hadn’t had time to pull it back yet, and it was already in my face. “I can put aside my personal feelings aside for the good of the group. Like you said, we need more healers. How does Noah feel about it?”

Stacey held animosity towards me—justifiably so, in some ways, since I essentially took her boyfriend away from her. My only issue was that, even after finding out I was Noah’s connected, she was a bitch to me.

“I haven’t told him yet,” Will said slowly.

“Noah’s going to take his cue from Blake. If Blake’s fine with it, he will be too,” Jace said confidently.

“You seem to have issues with a lot of females,” Lincoln said quietly in my ear.

“Would you believe me if I said it’s not me, it’s them?” I asked sarcastically.

I couldn’t hear his response, as Drake came back with a metal cart stacked with trays. “They’re almost ready to serve breakfast, but I figured I would bring ours out now,” Drake said as he passed out the trays of breakfast burritos, hash browns, and fruit.

Everyone thanked him and immediately started digging into the food.

“How long have you been doing martial arts?” Kirk asked, looking directly at me.

I looked up from spreading some sour cream packets and hot sauce on my burrito. “A few months,” I stated.

“Really?” Kirk asked in shock. “You have great instincts, and you’re formidable on the mats.”

I smiled and shifted, slightly uncomfortably under his praise. “Thanks. I have a great teacher,” I pointed towards Troy. “He’s been practicing for many years now.”

“I teach her, but the natural talent is all hers,” Troy said immediately with a fond smile at me.

“Impressive,” Kirk smiled. “Will we include her in our offense?” he asked Will and Paul. “Rayce said I haven’t seen anything yet until I’ve seen Blake in the field. Along with her connections.” He looked over at the guys inquiringly and then Gavin directly. “Gavin, it is my understanding that you are a mimic.”

Gavin chuckled uneasily. “I’m not one of them, and neither is Terrance, but yes, I mimic people’s gifts.”

“That’s right,” Will cleared his throat. “We really hadn't made formal introductions among the chaos yesterday. Lincoln, this is Paul, the owner of this fine establishment. And this is Kirk, he just joined us from the South Carolina team.”

I knew Noah had filled Lincoln in on a lot yesterday when they had been working together. I imagined there were things he hadn’t told him, though.

Will continued. “Kirk, these are my son’s Jace, Remy, Troy, and Drake.” He pointed to them individually. “Jemmy, Jaxson, and Noah were given leave to join us later. This is my daughter’s connected, Gavin, and his other connection, Sierra. Terrance there, is one of the best team leads I’ve ever had, and you already know Lincoln.”

Will paused then. “But back to what we were saying, Blake and her connections are unable to be part of the offensive maneuver today.” He looked at me inquiringly as if he expected me to refute it.

I could feel my face turn hot, and I ducked my head and shook it. It still embarrassed me to have anyone privy to my intimate life. I know he was hoping I made the connection, but I hadn’t. I was still struggling with th

e actual deed. In theory, it sounded fine; in practice…not so much.