Scream

Kellin Kodiak

"Yes," I protest.

"No," Grayson predictably renders.

 "Grayson, come on. The killers won't pounce on us if we look miserable. We have to enjoy ourselves so that way we can realize just how shitty our lives really are," I inform. I've been trying to get Grayson to participate in the exotic body shots that Adriano always has, but he's such a...such a cop. But thankfully, he's only Desk Guy, so there's hope for him yet. A killer won't kill if there's an always-ready stiff glued to my side. 

"Kellin, I didn't even want to come here," he shrieks. I realize his voice gets all high and tight when he's nervous or jittery. It's kind of cute. "This is insanity. I can't believe I got talked into this." 

 "No one talked you into anything," Reyna disproves. Reyna, who is driving us to the death finale. "Your job is to literally follow us around." 

"But still."

Grayson crosses his arms and pouts like a child. "Grayson," I coax.

His hazel eyes flick to me before returning to the back of Reyna's seat. "No."

"Grayson," I say slower, leaning closer to him.

His shoulders ease a bit and his pout becomes less prominent. But still, he says, "No."

"Grayson," I repeat, putting my hands on his arm. "Please," I beg, cheekily grinning.

Grayson," I repeat, putting my hands on his arm. "Please," I beg, cheekily grinning. Finally, he breaks down with a tremendous sigh and lolls his head back. His eyes endure the world's longest eye roll before they finally land on me. "Fine! Just one. then I'm relaxing on the couch or whatever."

"Thank you. Was that so hard?"

"Extremely. Why do you want me to do this with you so bad?"

"Because you need to learn to relax; loosen the reins; learn to live; have fun –"

Grayson holds his hand up in my face, cutting me off. Again, he rolls his eyes; his trademark. "Blah, blah, blah. Just be glad I agreed to your stupid ligament shots."

"Body shots," I correct.

"Whatever."

"Reyna, doesn't he seem excited?" I tease.

Reyna laughs out loud before turning onto a solid dirt road. From here, I know she'll travel a while, passing houses and cabins that are surprisingly fancy for being in such a desolate area. Then, she'll take a right where a fence keeps us on the road so we don't swerve onto the upcoming hills of rolling grass. Then, there will be a single two-story building: Adriano Santiago, the Epic's house. 

"He seems enthralled," she lies.

"We don't know your giant words," I grumble.

"I don't know how to ride a motorcycle," she points out. "But that doesn't mean I complain about it."

Contemplatively, I nod. "Okay, good point." 

 Next to me, Grayson mumbles something that seems like a complaint, but it seems he always complaining. But who can blame him right now? 

 Reyna turns onto the road with a fence and a sudden weight drops in my stomach. This is the place where I'm going to face the men or women behind the masks. It's also going to be the place where I finally see Adriano after what seems like forever. I feel kind of bad for liking Rio but having a crush on Grayson. I'm not leading either guy on, but I genuinely like them.

Adriano is a go-getter. He's crazy, daring, and ambitious. He's the person who would've beat me to the chase about asking for a partner in body shots. Rio doesn't care about the opinion of anyone, but it doesn't matter because everyone thinks he's a legend. And they aren't really wrong. 

 Grayson is tentative in everything he does. He looks before he leaps. He's caring, gentle, and vaguely naïve. Gray is the cute nerd in the back of the room nobody notices until they trip and he picks your stuff up for you. He's a little self-conscientious and a lot bashful. He isn't afraid to make himself vulnerable at times, either. 

The two are totally opposite, but both have traits I admire. Maybe if I survive tonight, I can figure out all this "pros and cons" crap. But for right now, I have bigger problems to worry about.

 "Okay, Maren and Oscar are parked already. You all can go inside and I'll wait for Enzo and Makai," Reyna offers.

"Why don't you come with us?" I inquire.

"I need some time alone, too," she solemnly answers. "I'll be in with the guys get here.
Go ahead and handle your body shots."

"Body shot," Grayson growls, opening the door and slamming it shut once he steps out.

"I'm only doing one."

"Psh," I sound, getting up as well. "That's what they all say."

"Oh, great," he mutters under his breath as we walk inside.