Keeping Me (Spy Chronicles Book 2)(28)

“Is that all he said?” I ask.

“That and he said I should be nice to you, because apparently he doesn't think I'm nice enough to you.”

I resist the urge to cover my face with my hands. “Don't listen to him. I don't want my dad to force you to be friends with me.”

“He doesn’t have to force me to be friends with you, S,” Bass says. “We’re already friends. Or at least, I thought we were. Maybe I am kind of hard on you sometimes, but I just want you to be safe. Always. That’s my number one priority.”

“Really?” I ask. “Like, you really like me, and not because my dad threatened you.”

“Honestly, I told you, I’ve pretty much always liked you,” he says. “Well, since the training room. I hated you when I saw you sitting in my desk, but that probably had more to do with the fact that Nolan was standing beside you.”

Which makes me frown.

How do I still miss Nolan?

“Sorry. I know you hate it when we mention his name.”

I nod. “He was my friend. Sometimes I have a hard time dealing with the fact that he... you know.”

Shot Gage.

And almost kidnapped me.

Who knows where I would be without Sebastian saving me.

“You should go get some sleep,” Bass says. “You’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow. Your dad is going to make you train really hard.”

“Okay,” I say. “Goodnight, Sebastian.”

“Night, S.”





Wednesday, August 30





Gun training.





My hand is literally shaking as I hold up the gun. It’s pointed at the target, but I’m too scared to pull the trigger.

“You’ve never going to hit the target like that,” Jaxon says.

“I don’t know how to do this,” I say.

This isn’t the first time I’ve shot a gun. In fact, I took a class on this in Spy School. But today is different. Maybe because Nolan was with me at my first class. He was the one training me. Or maybe it’s because I’ve seen just how much damage a gun can do.

“Look right through here,” Jax says, pointing to a spot on the gun. “Close one eye and try to line the dot up with where you want to shoot.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about, but I try it.

Oh.

I see now.

I aim the gun at the target, but my hand is still shaking, so I bring up my other hand to help steady it.

And then I pull the trigger.

I completely miss the target.

“It’s okay,” Jax says. “Go ahead and empty the clip.”

“Empty the clip?”

“Shoot until you’re out of bullets,” he says.

And so I do. One of my shots manages to get really close to the center, but the other ones are kind of embarrassing.

“I suck at this whole spy thing,” I say, kind of wanting to cry again, but I refuse to. I don’t want to be weak.

Jax takes the gun from me. “When Hunter was learning how to shoot, he literally shot himself in the foot. Of course, he was ten and it was a BB gun, but it was still hilarious. I like to remind him to this day. Don’t be discouraged by this. You will learn. I promise.”

“I just don’t know what I’m doing,” I say. “I keep messing everything up. And I can’t run. Bass slows down for me. And I can tell he always wants to run longer... farther. I’m holding him back. I’m holding all you guys back.”

“We knew exactly what we were signing up for when we came here,” Jax says. “Your dad didn’t just invite us to protect you. He wanted us to train you. The thing is you’re just starting out in your training. The rest of us have been doing stuff like this since we were born. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“Yeah,” I say, letting out a sigh.

I still don’t like it.

“So, how did you manage to convince your dad to not have a chaperone?” he asks. “I figured somebody would be out here with us.”

“Pretty much, I told my dad that I have a crush on Sebastian,” I say. “Not in so many words, but he figured it out. Which makes me even more lame. How many of you guys know? Hunter knew, so I assume you all do.”

“Yeah,” Jax says. “I think Sander figured it out first.”

“Does Bass know?” I ask.

“He’s clueless. Don’t worry. He’s never had a girlfriend, so I’m pretty sure the only way he will know is if you come right out and tell him.”

Which I won’t.

Ever.

I’m scared that he won’t like me back in that way. Plus, I’m not exactly sure if I’m ready for a boyfriend. So, it’s best we keep our distance when it comes to a relationship past friendship. For now, at least.

Jaxon hands the gun back to me.

“When you’re ready, cock it, and shoot again.”





Kiwi.





I've learned a few things about myself today. First, I'm actually not that bad at shooting guns. After unloading a few clips, I got comfortable and was able to hit the target quite a few times. Even Jax seemed impressed.