Running Red: Lost Moon

Chapter 30: Home Trouble

"If nothing comes up," Andrew said as he excepted plates from Marrisa. He passed the stack to Tate, who grabbed one and passed the pile along. "I'm surprised someone saw past Bryce's inflated ego to see his smarts."

"Careful Andrew. I'm pretty sure you're the only one here who hasn't gotten a diploma of some stage," Bryce called out in retaliation.

"Bah, who needs to learn how to multiply letters with numbers."

"Might help with impressing some people," Tate muttered under his breath.

"Hey!"

"Settle down, boys. You can eat in a few seconds." A woman called from the kitchen.

Andrew stuck his tongue out at Bryce, who rolled his eyes.

00

Levi let out a yell as he was tossed down onto a thick mat. He let out a groan and rolled onto his feet. "That one hurt a little."

Nas rested his hands on his hips and looked at Laik over his shoulder. "He's a lot more resilient than I expected." He ruffled his short dark brown hair making it stand up more as he watched Levi regain his footing.

Laik looked up from the book he was reading with a laugh. "I said the same thing."

Nas arched a brow when he shot Laik a questioning look. His dark brown eyes turned back to Levi when he called out. "I need a small break."

"Okay, we're working at your speed here."

"I think my arm joint popped when you tossed me."

Nas waved off Levi's worry with his deeply tanned hand. "It's fine. I didn't hear it dislocate." Levi had to look up at Nas since he was a hand full of inches taller than him. "We're here just to get you used to being tossed around first. Then we'll work on fighting."

"Don't hurt him too much, Nas. He's still human." Bryce called out as he descended the stairs with a cooler in one hand and snacks piled on a plate. "I bring food from the missus."

Laik sat up real quick, sniffing the air. "Is that her peanut butter bars?"

"Yes." When Laik took five waxpaper covered bars, Bryce flicked him in the forehead. "Save some for everyone. You also need to eat something else. You can't live off peanut butter, granola, and snack food."

Laik stuck his tongue out before taking a bite of one of the bars, "I do what I want."

"Your mom would hang you by your feet if you did that in front of her."

Laik took another bite and made sure to wrap himself tightly in a thick blanket. "She's not here."

Bryce rolled his eyes as he turned to Levi, who was slowly eating the bar. "I let Myrna know about the dairy. She wanted to know if you could eat baked goods?"

Levi answered around his bite of that bar, "I can."

"I'll let her know."

Bryce handed a snack bar to Nas. "I'm glad you could make it. I know you're on your holiday right now."

Nas waved it off. "It's fine. I was probably going to end up pestering Demitiri once I was done unpacking my bags."

"That name is familiar," Levi muttered.

"Nikky's son." Laik called out."

"Oh, the gloomy to her positivity."

Nas coughed and let out a laugh. "He is gloomy."

Levi gave a sheepish grin at Bryce's raised brow. He looked at Nas, "I'm just curious, but what is Nas short for?"

"My initials. When I was in high school, my last name was complicated to say, so they used my initials on my jersey."