The Scumbag's Guide To Heroism novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39: 39 | Touch Under Cover

Thai food really did make everything better.

I sat back in my chair, stomach full of pad thai and green curry, watching Diane laugh at something Sloane said about one of the agency’s clients accidentally setting his own costume on fire during a photoshoot. When Diane wasn’t being the sharp CEO who could read everyone in a room or the guardian who’d just caught me groping her in a hug, she was actually funny. Warm. The kind of person who made the whole room lighter just by being in it.

"He tried to put it out with his hands," Sloane said, grinning. "Which made it worse because his Aspect generates friction."

"The entire studio had to evacuate," Diane added, taking a sip of wine. "And he still wanted to finish the shoot. Said he could work with the burnt look."

I couldn’t help but laugh. "Did he?"

"Absolutely not. His agent had to physically drag him out while he was arguing that battle damage was trendy." Diane shook her head. "Heroes. They’re all insane."

Sloane snorted. "You represent thirty-one of them."

"Which is how I know they’re insane."

The banter continued while I cleared the plates, carrying them to the kitchen. Sloane tried to get up to help but I waved her off. The least I could do was put away the leftovers after everything that happened today.

Getting officially registered as a Channeler.

Having Diane discover my second ability and somehow convince her to keep it secret.

Kissing Sloane. Again. On my bed. With her straddling me and demanding answers I couldn’t give.

Yeah. Thai food and mundane cleanup duty were a welcome break from the absolute chaos my life had become.

I was putting the last container in the fridge when Diane appeared in the doorway.

"You know, I interrupted your movie night yesterday," she said, leaning against the frame. "We should have a proper family movie night tonight. Make up for my poor timing."

Family. The word hit different coming from her. Nine years I’d been here and she still found ways to remind me I wasn’t just a ward or charity case.

"I’m down," I said.

"Sloane?" Diane called toward the living room.

"Yeah, sure!" Sloane’s voice carried back, slightly too eager.

"Perfect. Let me change into something more comfortable." Diane smiled. "Lukas, would you mind getting popcorn ready?"

"On it."

She disappeared upstairs and I grabbed the popcorn from the pantry. Sloane was already heading toward the theater room, her face still carrying that pink flush from earlier. She kept glancing at me and then looking away, like she couldn’t decide if she wanted to maintain eye contact or pretend I didn’t exist.

It was cute. Really cute. I’d never seen Sloane this flustered before and part of me wanted to push it just to see how red I could make her face turn.

"What?" she snapped, catching me looking.

"Nothing."

"Then stop smiling like that."

"Like what?"

"Like... like you know something I don’t!" Her face went redder.

I couldn’t help it. The grin got wider.

She punched me in the arm.

Hard.

"Ow! Fuck!" I grabbed my shoulder, the impact sending actual pain shooting down to my elbow. "What the hell?"

"I said shut up!"

"I didn’t even say anything!"

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