The Arena Saga: Bronze Tier

Eight

Windwalker- Superstitious Fantasy

Freddie

Jesse and I had been tip-toeing around each other for weeks. This is the fourth run we've had to partner up in and the closer she gets, the harder it is for me to remember that Asher is my best friend and that Jesse is his girl. 

There's this level of brilliance that she offers and I love the way she looks to me when she comes up with an idea. Me and not him. Lately, she's been coming to me more and more. The way she says my name sends chills down my body and it's become an addiction to hear her say it. 

"Freddie?" 

"Yeah?" I look up into her gunmetal blue eyes and smile. She's been crying again. "Are you okay?" 

"I was wondering if you had any openings in tonight's run?" she asks. 

"I'm hitting Garden Rows alone. It's a standard run," I inform her. 

"Right," she nods. "Thanks anyway," 

"Hey," I stop her before she leaves my office. I shut the door. "What's wrong?" 

"Ash and Max are driving me crazy," her voice breaks and I pull her into me. Her arms automatically wrap around my waist. God, it feels amazing when we're this close. 

"You can come with me if you like. Why don't you go fill up my Jeep? We'll head out in a few," 

"Thank you," she squeezes me tighter. She practically runs out the door as she wipes her eyes. 

Ash and Max are talking about the new bundle announcement when I get to our suite. 

"What's going on?" I ask. 

"I told you she was going to rat on us," Max rolls his eyes. I cross my arms over my chest glaring at the two of them. "Nothing. Jess just thinks we're going into the arenas too often. We're following orders," 

"She was crying," I inform them. 

"One of the fembots got a little friendly with me," Ash shrugs. "She's overreacting," 

"I'm taking her on a run with me. Maybe she'll blow off some steam. You have to watch that, Ash. She's only here because she's your girl. She'd have to join if you find a new one," I remind him.

"No one said anything about getting a new one. I was just having fun. I didn't do anything wrong. You know how the Fembots are," he waves me off. "Thanks for taking her out. I'm sure she's acting that way because she's got nothing better to do,"

I don't tell him that he's a piece of shit for that. I keep my comments to myself and prepare to go out. I even take a few extra things for Jesse. When I get back to her, she's ready. In all black, her dark hair up in two pigtails, her armor in place. This is my favorite version of her. 

"Come here," I order her and hold up her vest. 

She stands in front of me and allows me to slip the vest through her arms and adjust it. I check her utility belt and make sure her rifle is ready to go. Her eyes never leave mine. I swear my skin is covered in ants wherever her eyes sweep over me. She smells like honeysuckle and wildflowers. It's intoxicating. 

"You know, orders are orders. If the guild master says we have to go into the arena, we have no choice," I tell her. She rolls her eyes and tilts her head to glare at me. 

"You're going to defend him now?" she says angrily. 

"No, I'm just saying. It's a good thing she has use for us. It puts food on our table. Pays for the suite we live in. The alternative is taking Zaph outside,"