Stern Men Always Finish Last

Chapter 25

Kota POV

Victor had rigged it so that mom "conveniently" won an all-expense paid week at a spa resort nearby for two. Since it school break for Jessica, I suggested she take her for some "girly pampering".  I won't make the mistake of using those words again. The death glares from mom and Jess was stern enough to make Mr. B jealous. Note to self: have bouquets ready for their return.

The good news is that I was going to get Sang – to myself – for 5 nights. I got to pass of leadership of the group to North during the night, I wasn't going to be on a seemingly endless stream of missions, and I got my ten. The bad news? I think my mom knew I would have her overnight at some point during her trip.

Sitting through the Erica Lee School of Sex Education is worse than having Doc go over every possible STD/STI you can catch – in graphic detail. It's worse than hours of surveillance on Rocky. It's worse than the Mr. B Care Bear stare. Why is it so awful? Well, Erica Lee doesn't just make you sit through it. No, that wouldn't be embarrassing enough. Under the rouse of "If I'm going to teach this it should be to a full class" she makes all of your brothers attend. Since this happens any time she suspects one of us might be having sex, we are somewhat used to it. But mom; well mom had to up the ante this time. She made me bring Sang. Flat our refused to leave for the week if I didn't. Nothing and I mean nothing is worse than having your mom explain proper lubrication and foreplay to your girlfriend; particularly when she is also the girlfriend of every other man in the room. At least that's what I thought for a good hour; until she asks said girlfriend to demonstrate how to put a condom on a banana. When Doc and Mr. B are uncomfortable with the topic of discussion, you know you're a dead man walking.

So instead of having a relaxing family day, we sat through mom's lecture. No amount of counting can erase what happened yesterday.

Today, I'm going to try everything in my power to pretend that yesterday did not happen. In fact, it was nothing more than one of Ten's nightmares. Yes, a nightmare. One we all got to live through with her.

Taking Ten to Marc was bittersweet. I had come up with 28 reasons that this was the best person for her to work with and 1 that said he wasn't. Marc wasn't me. Sang will be fine. 12345678910. Sang will be fine. 2468101214161820. Sang will be fine. 36912151821242730. Much better.

We were to meet Marc in the parking lot of the Sargent Jasper. While Sang was working with Marc, I was going to head over to Blake's and use some of the equipment he had in his private lab. He and I were going to work on a solution, that when taken after ingesting JH14 would counter act many of the highly dangerous effects.

As we pulled into the parking lot, Marc was there with a petite girl. I wonder if this is their bird. I think they said her name was Kayli. Sang immediately tensed when she saw the girl and I, yet again, wanted to do physical harm to her family. She can't even see a female and not expect pain because of her mother and sister. "Sweetie, if you are uncomfortable with Marc's friend being here you just have to tell me." Sang looks at me with those big green eyes and I can see the fear of the unknown girl, but at the same time those windows into her soul show the determination to get through this.

"Thank you, Kota, but I'll be fine." That's my brave girl.

Marc runs to pick up Sang and give her a spinning hug. "How's my favorite fake doctor?" She giggles at him and tries to swat him playfully.

"Dr. Sean didn't warn me that I would ever have to see you again after that day. I wouldn't have been nearly as brave if I thought I had to face you later!"

"None of that, tweedy bird, it took quite a bit of bravery to pull a nail out of my leg using only your hands." Sang smiles up at Marc before he continues, "Especially when this crazy girl is the one who shot me in the leg with the nail in the first place." Sang tries to stifle her laugh but when even Kayli starts to laugh everyone loses it.