”We got wheels. So fuck you back,” Tamsin thrust another water glass to Bo. Her face was damp with perspiration and rain. ”You think you’re the only one in pain?”

Bo stared back as if she had just been speared through the heart.

Tamsin shook her head. ”You’re still self-centered.”

Dyson lowered his eyes. ”Easy, Tamsin.”

”If I’m so awful, why do you stay?” Bo slurred then eyed all three of them lazily. ”Why do any of you?”

”Because this is pathetic. You’re better than this, so nut up.” Tamsin pushed the wine bottle away from her. ”And you don’t even realize how close you are!” Tamsin sucked in some of her anger but it still flared within the ice of her eyes.

Bo seemed to straighten up and searched Bruce’s face for confirmation. He nodded.

”How close?”

Tamsin took a slow and even breath, looking long and hard at Dyson until the heat in her eyes seemed to cool. Then, looking at Bo, ”We bought a second-hand jeep from one of the locals. Take an aspirin. Maybe three and sleep off your shit. We’ll leave tomorrow after breakfast. Think you can handle that?”

Bruce had barely squeezed into the bench beside Dyson and, as he pinched himself free, he rolled his eyes toward the ceiling to check if the bolts had loosened even a little bit. The seat bucked like an unbroken horse. ”Sorry.” He shrugged at his friend. ”My queen,” he said, extending his hand to Bo.

Bo left his hand hanging there in the air as she turned her attention to the water glasses on the table. She downed them all then propped her elbows on the table, bit her bottom lip, and focused on the heavy silverware lined up perfectly in front of her. Bo regarded them as sentinels, loyal and strong, like Bruce, Tamsin, and Dyson had been this past year, lined up beside her even now as she tore through their feelings as if ripping herself to shreds hadn’t been enough. In a swift yet gentle motion, she swiveled in place and pecked Tamsin’s cheek, catching both the Valkyrie and the shape shifter off guard.

Bo eased off the bench with some effort and tried to conquer the sudden inebriation coursing through her body. ”Tamsin,” she said, ”thank you for not leaving me.” Bo smiled to herself trying to shrug the cloak of shame she felt hanging off her shoulders.