Page 16 of Survival Game

Kyle shook his head as he leaned back in his office chair, feet planted firmly on his desk. From the other side of the desk, Lucinda grinned at him as she sucked her iced coffee through a straw. The slurping sounds had been driving him mad for a while now as he tried to finish some Club Delish social media posts and design a promotion planned for a new drag queen event later in the month.

“No, he’s been busy.” Kyle scowled at the paperwork in front of him. “He’s a workaholic, it looks like. Anyway, with Ryan being gone, things haven’t exactly been quiet here either. I don’t know how he does all the stuff he does, I really don’t. He must be fucking Superman.”

It had been a rough time for Ryan. As Kyle had feared, things were grave; Ryan had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. After all his posturing that he’d been fine, he hadn’t been fine at all. He was home now, but next week he was scheduled to have surgery to remove the bloody thing.

Kyle was scared for his friend, but at the same time angry at Ryan for waiting so long to tell anyone about it. As for Mango—well, the man had been a saint since the diagnosis and Kyle had seen a side of him he’d never expected.

Lucinda gave a loud slurp.

He glared at her. “Really? Can you finish that damn thing already?”

“Ooh, someone’s in a pissy mood.” She gave one last loud saucy pop as she pulled her mouth off the straw and gestured toward the desk. “Anything I can help you with before you burst a blood vessel?” She stopped as the import of her words struck her. “God, sorry. That was insensitive. Bad form, you’d say. Sorry.”

He leaned back in his chair, stretching. “Don’t worry. He’s in good hands. The operation’s scheduled for next week. Mango made him take time off so they can spend it together. I hope it all goes well. It’s no picnic having a brain tumour removed.”

In truth, he was petrified for Ryan. The idea of his fun-loving, dapper boss and friend having his skull opened and doctors probing around in it? Um, yuck. He shuddered.

“Have you seen him recently? How’s he doing?” Lucinda stood and walked around to where he sat. She threw the offending drink container and straw in the bin and perched her bum on the desk. “And more important, sweetz, how are you doing? Other than stressing out at work of course. I know Ryan means a lot to you.”

“I’m fine. Worried about him, of course. I saw him on Monday. He came in to check how I was coping and that his club was still functioning. He wasn’t here for long though.” He smiled at the memory. “Mango kept glaring at him and telling him he wasn’t supposed to be here at all. Apparently, there was some DIY Ryan wanted done.” He snorted with laughter. “Not Mango’s forte, I don’t think. He’s more the ‘let’s pick up the deadwood and make a bridge so we can save the tigers’ type of guy.” Kyle batted his eyelashes modestly. “He told me I was doing a great job looking after his club. I’m glad he trusts me.”

Lucinda gave an unladylike snort. “Well, duh, sweetie. You’re the best at what you do.” She glanced down at the trash bin. “Shit. I’m out of coffee and I can’t drink that foul stuff you make. I’m gonna run down and grab another. You want one?”

Kyle nodded. “Large mocha for me. None of that pretentious shit you order. Skinny cappuccino with an extra shot, dash of vanilla, extra steaming and a great dollop of I don’t give a fuck.” He smiled wickedly. “That last bit is the free ingredient you get from the hard- done-by barista.”

Lucinda tossed her hair over her shoulder with a hand. “Don’t get all bitchy with me just because you haven’t been boned yet by your man in uniform.” Her eyes widened. “Unless you and he have…you know.” She made an obscene gesture with her hand and fingers.

He flushed. “Piss off. My sex life is out of bounds to you. I still remember the last time in Vegas when you did that Photoshopped video montage of me as an Easter bunny. Rabbits running from hole to hole? That was your crazy right there. I’d dread to think what you’d do if I gave you any details.”

She cackled. “Oh yeah. I remember that. You’re lucky I only sent it to your phone. I had almost convinced the guys to put it on the big screen in the private casino for your viewing.”

He laughed with her, but he was also remembering the sense of relief he’d felt when he’d deleted the vid off his phone before Mario had seen it during one of his routine mobile phone inspections. That video could have cost Kyle a broken arm or leg, or worse.

Lucinda must have sensed his mood change because she put a soft, warm hand on his cheek. “That was before I knew about your situation at home. I felt so damn bad knowing I could have got you into trouble with that douchebag.”

Lucinda refused to refer to Mario as anything else. She said he’d deserved to be objectified and the term suited him better than his name. Kyle had been curious and had gone online to research the name “Mario.” In various languages, it represented being male, virile, bitter, the God of War and a hammer. He’d given a humourless laugh when he’d discovered that.

“Yeah, well. He’s not around anymore. Now are you going to get us that coffee or not?”

Need to change this subject. I don’t want to dredge up any more bad memories.

She stuck out her tongue. “Yes, my lord. Her ladyship shall tootle off without delay.” Her eyes widened. “Tootle? I never say that. It’s your English vernacular rubbing off on me, mate.” Her attempt at an English accent made him cringe.

Picking up her bohemian-style shawl, she wrapped it around her shoulders and made her way to the door. “I’ll pick us a couple of doughnuts too. Sprinkles for you?”

He nodded, his groin warming at the thought of what had happened the last time he’d eaten a doughnut. “Sounds good. Now bugger off and leave me in peace for a minute. I have something to finish.”

He watched fondly as she flounced out the door. He didn’t know where he’d be without her. It was a pity her home was across the pond.

His mobile buzzed. He grinned when he saw the caller ID. Eric. “Hi there. How are things going?”

“They’re good. Been working my arse off but got a few days off now.” Eric sounded tired. “I have some family commitments. My sister’s getting married tomorrow. She’s in Somerset with my folks, so I’ll be driving there in the morning. I have tonight free though, and I was chancing that we might be able to get together for a drink or something?”

Kyle’s stomach gave a strange flutter. “I love the offer, but it’s Friday night and the club will be packed. And with Ryan not being here…” His voice trailed off. “Sorry, but I doubt I’ll escape long enough to take a pee, let alone have a drink.”

Eric’s sigh echoed down the phone. “I thought as much. This isn’t going to be easy, is it?”

Kyle was confused. “What isn’t going to be easy?”