Centrepiece

Chapter
21

Par-tay!

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The
get together began with a general meeting, updating the teams on what was going
on in their sport, a meeting that lasted almost two hours. This was followed by
some general entertainment and a little food that didn’t seem to go far. Five
hours later they were led to a little lounge and finally given the chance to
catch up.

“Hey
Kai,” Tyson said, grinning at his captain. “Not like you
to be late. What did you do? Sleep in?”

Kai
glared at him. “I’ll have you know I was perfectly on time, only I had a
little encounter with the police.”

Ray
smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. “Then you shouldn’t have been on
the wrong side of the road.”

“I
wouldn’t have been, if someone
hadn’t decided to slow down and try to make me late.” He glared pointedly
toward Bryan, who looked up.

“Your
decision to overtake, Hiwatari.” Bryan raised an eyebrow. “And you only made
yourself later.”

Ray
nodded his agreement. “Bryan and I arrived five minutes early.”

Tala
planted his hands on his hips. “I’m surprised you two arrived at all. I
figured you’d be too busy sucking face.”

Bryan’s
cold gaze swept toward him, impassive. “There’s nothing between us, Tal. I
don’t steal other peoples boyfriends.”

“Oh
really? Then just what has Ray been doing in your room?”

“Trying
to train Chung Hu.”

Ian
looked up. “Who?”

“My
kitten,” Ray answered. “He seems to have taken a liking to Bryan’s room.
You go anywhere else and he runs off and straight back in there.”

Bryan
looked toward him. “That cat loves tormenting me.”

Ray
smirked.

“It’s
all a lot of bullshit if you ask me.” Kai growled, glaring first at Bryan,
then at Ray. “Why have you been avoiding us, Ray?”

Ray
looked at him. “I already told you.”

“You
didn’t mean it-”

“I
meant every word of it!” Ray glared at him, meeting those crimson eyes.
“Just what is it going to take to make you realise I just don’t love you
anymore? I’m not a thing you can screw whenever you feel like it Kai, Tala.
I’m a person too, you know.”

Tala’s
eyes flashed. “So you had one bad experience. That doesn’t mean it’s
over.”

“It
is for me.”

A
fierce look descended upon Tala’s features, one mirrored by Kai as they looked
him, causing all those in the room to shiver. “It doesn’t end just like
that, Ray. It’s not over until we say it’s over, understand? Locking
yourself away and hiding behind Bryan isn’t going to help you for long.”

Ray
took a step back, feeling his resolve begin to crumble. “Leave. Me. Alone.”

“Not
going to happen.” Tala smirked, taking a step toward him. “You’re ours,
Ray, and it will only be a matter of time before you realise that.”

As
he reached up Ray swatted his hand away, taking a step backward. Tala growled,
reaching for him again only to find himself flung backwards, collecting Kai on
the way down, the two landing with a thump on the floor.

“What
part of ‘leave him alone’ don’t you understand?” Bryan growled, planting
himself between the two and Ray. “I’ve stood by and watched your little game
long enough. It ends right now.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Get out of
here, Ray.”

Ray
hesitated. “But-”

“Now!”

Ray
nodded, backing away before turning and fleeing into the corridors. Once he was
gone, Bryan turned to regard the two as they pushed themselves to their feet.
Bryan knew they were aware that the other bladers were crowding around – Ian,
SpencTysoTyson, Max, Kenny, the All Starz, the White Tigers and the Majestics
– and therefore wouldn’t dare try anything. Out the corner of his eye Bryan
spotted Lee moving to follow Ray and smirked. Maybe he
could talk some sense into him.

“That
was a foolish thing to do, Kuznetsov.” Kai’s eyes burned. “Don’t think
you’re going to get away with it.”

“Quit
blowing hot air.” Bryan levelled his gaze on him, lavender eyes narrowed.
“You think I don’t know what’s been going on? I know everything, Hiwatari.
What I hadn’t guessed already Ray told me. He’s been dropping hints that he
wants out, hints you brushed off or used against him. Take it from me, it’s in
your best interest to leave him alone.”

“Fat
chance.” Tala drew himself to full height, which was still shy of Bryan’s
own. “In case you hadn’t noticed this isn’t any of your business.”

“I’m
making it my business.”

Tala
growled, then smirked. “Fine then. But you of all people should know that once
I have my claws in you, there’s no getting away.”

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Looks
like we've got a fight on our hands. And run, Ray, run!