Hannah's Hero - Ruby Dixon Page 0,9

girls back in high school.

I know they just want me to go talk to Devi because she’ll get mad at me, and then I’ll have another person that hates my guts. “I heard Bridget arguing with A’tam earlier,” I blurt out, feeling the need to be included. What better way to be included than gossip? “She yelled at him and then at Raahosh when he came to chastise her.”

Flor’s eyes open wide in surprise, but Sam just purses her lips and nods. “Yeah,” she says. “That was doomed from the start.”

“You knew?” I shouldn’t be surprised—Bridget and Sam are close friends. Of course Sam would know Bridget’s secrets.

Sam nods.

“Damn it, no one tells me anything,” Flordeliza complains. She nudges Sam. “Spill the beans.”

Sam bites one of her Angelina-Jolie-esque lips—seriously, is it entirely possible for one person to hit the genetic lottery, because it’s so unfair how pretty she is—and leans in close. “They had sex one night but…she wasn’t a fan. Said his mouth was nice but the equipment was all wrong.”

“All wrong? Like…tentacles?” Flor wiggles her eyebrows.

“What? Fuck, no. I mean just…” Sam spreads her hands, indicating an enormous size. “Baseball bat wrong, you know? She said it was uncomfortable. Mouth was a big yes, dick was a big no.”

I’m the one that leans in this time. “Is his dick really the size of a baseball bat?” I try to recall if I ever saw A’tam naked. I mean…maybe? Most of the islanders don’t grasp the concept of nudity and that it’s impolite, but I’m pretty sure I’d recall a Louisville Slugger hanging between someone’s thighs.

Flor considers this. “I don’t think so. I’ve been studying loincloth ah, landscape. Unless he’s a grower and not a shower, he’s big but he’s not a baseball bat. Baby’s arm, maybe.” She gives me a mischievous wink.

I snort-giggle with laughter behind a hand.

Sam rolls her eyes at us. “It’s a figure of speech. And anyway, he got clingy super fast. Started calling her his mate and announcing that she needed to move in with him like he owned her, and she bailed out. She doesn’t want a man right now.”

I shake my head. “I don’t understand. Why sleep with him if you don’t want a relationship?”

“Uh, hello, have you seen him?” Flor gives me an incredulous look. “He’s the alien Brad Pitt. I’d let him slide into home.” And she giggles at her own joke.

“Oh, shut up, Flor,” Sam says, laughing. It’s hard to stay mad at Flor when she’s constantly making jokes…even if they’re bad ones. “And Bridget slept with him because she was bored. I mean, we can’t all count all day like Hannah.”

I stick my tongue out at Sam as Flordeliza chuckles, but her words hurt my feelings. Great. I’m the tribe punchline. “Sorry if I don’t have any valuable skills to contribute.”

“Who does?” Sam shrugs. “I was a barista. If we ever find a milk frother, I’ll be the most popular girl on the planet. Until then, I’m useless.” She gives us a big, beaming smile. “But I’m glad to be here.”

Flor gives a little grunt. “Not sure I can say the same. This cold beats me down.”

“What did you do back home, Flor?” I ask her, curious.

“I was a nurse.”

“You were?” I’m surprised to hear that. We have Veronica who does healing, thanks to her khui, but Flor’s never shown any indication to pitch in. “But you never help Veronica?”

Flor gives me an incredulous look. “Because she doesn’t need my help. What, should I help her out with the blood pressure machine? Hand out meds?” Her lip curls slightly. “All that’s left to do around here is change the bedpans and fucking no thanks. I’ll figure something else out to do with myself.”

“Oh.” I feel stupid for asking. I’ve been to a hospital before. Of course most of Flor’s skills don’t carry over, especially when Veronica can heal things with a touch of her hands. “Sorry.”

She pats my arm, and I can see a flash of frustration cross her face. “I’m just annoyed. All that schooling and student loans and where does it get me? Here.” She gestures at the icy beach. “Watching my friend pick apart a dead lobster on the beach because I’ve got nothing better to do.”

Sam looks at me. “So what did you do back home, Hannah?”

My mouth goes dry. Crushing sadness moves over me, followed by that intense panic and need to return home. I can’t say that to the others, though. They’d