Free Flesh: Part Seventeen (The Flesh Series Book 17) by Sky Corgan Page A

tell him, though I'm not sure if it's the truth.
    “You two need to kiss and make up first.” He shoves a chip next to my mouth, and I jerk away from it.
    “No, thanks.” I hold my hand out to further tell him no, inhaling the scent of sour cream and onion.
    “So what's your game plan on that front? You do plan on making up with her, don't you?” He stuffs the chip in his mouth after I refuse it.
    “Lucian thinks I should go to her job.” I screw my face.
    “That might work.” Derrick scoots his chair back a bit, and I'm thankful for the distance.
    “Walmart is a big place.” I take a deep breath. “She'll probably see me before I see her and avoid me.”
    “Go to customer service and ask for her.” He makes it sound like no big deal, but I worry that it will get Janice in trouble.
    “I guess that's always an option.”
    “Well, you need to fix things, one way or another. You two have been friends too long to stop talking to each other over douchezilla.”
    “Douchezilla?” I swivel in my chair to look at him, stifling a giggle.
    “Hey, he put all of us through hell before we got to this point. I'm allowed to hold on to a little bit of resentment.” He raises his head up high as if his comment was justified.
    “I suppose you're right.” My smile falters as I think of Janice. “Speaking of resentment, I hope Janice isn't going to be too pissed that Lucian and I are a legit couple now.”
    “I don't know, Amy.” Derrick shrugs. “Resentment runs deep, and you did leave her hanging on the rent.”
    I sigh. “These past few months have seemed like a game of everyone hurt everyone.”
    “Well.” He reaches out to put his hand on my knee. “It's time to change that.”
    I grin down at his fingers. “Yeah. I just hope it's not too late.”
     
    ***
     
    Even though I know this situation is better handled on my own, I allow Lucian to tag along with me to Walmart. To be honest, I'm nervous as hell and having him by my side doesn't make me feel any better. I'll be lucky if Janice doesn't storm off when she sees us together.
    “Maybe you should wait in the car,” I tell Lucian as I unbuckle my seat belt. We took my car since it's inconspicuous and the Walmart that Janice works at is in a rough part of town.
    “Nonsense. Your friends are my friends. We should make this right together.” He steps out of the car without allowing me to protest further.
    I scowl as Lucian flanks my side and we stare up at the big glowing white letters of the Walmart sign against their blue backdrop. He rubs my back gently, perhaps feeling the stress radiating from me. This seems like a really bad idea, for some reason. More than likely, Janice is going to be pissed that we came to her place of work.
    “Come on. It's going to be alright.” Lucian laces his fingers with mine.
    “What if it's not?” My expression is uncertain.
    “If it's not, then I'll take you out for ice cream.”
    “I'm not a little kid.” I smack him in the ribs though I still smirk.
    “I know. But I also know that you like ice cream.” He gives me that charming smile that melts my heart every time.
    “I love you. Why couldn't it have always been like this?”
    “Because I was selfish. Because I am selfish. But I'm working on it. Now, come on. Let's go get this over with.” He starts walking towards the store, forcing me to follow him since we're linked together by our hands.
    Every step towards the behemoth supercenter makes my heart beat faster. It feels like we're running instead of walking, but I know that's just my nerves getting to me.
    As soon as we enter the building, I take a quick look around. My pulse is pounding in my ears, and everything I had planned to say to Janice goes right out the window. My mind is divided between gathering my thoughts and just wanting to leave, and the just wanting to leave part is starting to win out.
    “I don't see her, maybe we should go,” I whisper, clutching on to Lucian's arm.
    “She's here