Runner (Riders of Apollo #3)

Chapter Six: Mika Sage

Nothing is going well for me.

I spilt coffee all over myself this morning, scalding my skin and evidently pissing me off. I then get to my desk and all of my lollipops are gone and my computer is broken because it's from the freaking 1990s. And then! And then, I manage to stub my toe on the chair before stacking it over a pair of shoes.

I'm staying down here on the floor and I'm refusing to move. Today is over at nine am and I don't even care anymore. A piece of paper appears over my head and I read it, 'What are you doing on the floor?'.

I groan and look over at Breaker. His head is tilted in confusion as he looks down at me. "Everything today is shit, I'm not moving until tomorrow. I refuse." I cross my arms like a stroppy teenager and roll over to press my face into the carpet so that he can't write anything to me.

My plans are ruined as Breaker grabs me by the back of my cut and lifts me up in the air! Before dropping my ass harshly on the couch. He stands in front of me with a stern look and his hands on his hips. "I'm having a bad day, can you leave me to be a sad teenager for once?"

'You're not a teenager.' He writes back, his hands landing back on his hips as he scolds me with his eyes.

"No, I'm not gonna grow up. You're such an old man." I grumble. He is twenty eight years old so is seven years my senior but he acts like my father. The lot of them do since most of them were here when I joined at fifteen and I needed guidance.

'You're such a child.'

"Great! We're on the same page, you stay old and I'll stay a child and everyone will be happy. Leave me to mope in my sorrow." He rolls his eyes and finally gives up, heading out of the room with his heavy steps echoing in my ears. I rub the piece of paper in my hand that tells me I have an appointment with Dr Carrington in two hours and I'm going in an unreal mood.

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The office is actually her apartment which is fine with me. Saviour said that she likes it more than therapy based in offices because it feels more personal and that you're able to speak about whatever without worrying if someone can hear what you're saying.

"You must be Romeo, welcome welcome." She seems bubbly with curly brown hair and hazel eyes, lily-white skin and a happy smile. I reply with as much gusto as I can muster before following in behind her and sitting where she tells me to. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Yeah, that would be great, thanks." I settle back into the white couch, enjoying the comfort offered from the plush pillows and the soft blanket thrown over the arm. I can see why Saviour liked it here so much, I don't think I want to leave.

"Here you are," I thank her softly and grip the hot mug in my hand, not even phased by it, "So, this is just a get-to-know-each-other session, see if you wanna come back next week. I'm Diane, by the way, you can call me Di."

"Mika." I respond with a nod, only three people know my real name now. Bear, Di and Raphe.

"I got my degree from Princeton, did my PHD at Harvard and started sessions three years ago. Your friend Peyton was actually one of my first patients."

"Uh, I never finished high school and I never went to college but I joined the Riders when I was fifteen."

"They your family?"

"Yeah, they're all I have. My parents died when I was like one, fostered until I was seven when I was adopted but she died too."

"I'm guessing that was difficult, is that one of the things you want to resolve here?"

"One of them, yeah."

"And the other?"

"My love life, e.g. my fear of commitment."

The rest of the session carries on slowly and I find myself laughing and relaxing in the presence of her. Liking the idea of not having everything weighing so heavily on me and having someone to help me lighten up the load. We schedule for next week and I head out feeling a little better.

This morning gave me the impression that today was going to be a monumental failure but it went uphill from the minute Breaker grabbed me by the back of my cut. I get back into my office and drop into my chair, rubbing my index finger on my upper lip as I stare at the blank screens.

"Did you drink my drink?" I demand, smacking Raphe's hands away from my legs, trying to concentrate on scolding him. I can't concentrate when his hands gently trace my tattoos with undisguised lust.

"I wouldn't dare, mi querido. Watch the movie." (my darling) He gestures back to the screen and I narrow my eyes at him before turning back to see it. I don't even know what film is on because whenever I try and actually pay attention he plants kisses on my neck or nibbles my ear, his hands are always on me and I'm quite willing to flatten him to the couch and do as I please.

"Stop teasing me." I grab his hand in mine and entwine our fingers to stop his from going AWOL. He just chuckles and pulls closer, his scent surrounding and swamping me. I reach up and slam my lips on his, his hands tug me to lay on top of him and I press him into the couch. This is gonna be fun.

"Yo, how'd it go?" I look over at Saviour, keeping my chair tucked under my desk so that she doesn't see how wound up I got from a daydream.

"I like her, I'm going back next week."

"Yeah, she's lovely. I'm happy for you, Romeo." She squeezes my shoulder and kisses my cheek, promising that she'll be back later she's just craving pop tarts. I laugh softly and turn back to my computer.

One day at a time, Mika, one day at a time.