“Wilma only made that choice because of you.”
“Then it was a good thing I came today.”
I frowned. “You have no idea how much that man is going to hate being spared.”
She gave me a skeptical glance, so I continued my low mutter, “It’s different in the early rounds, but this was a champion fight and it’s always to the death. Being spared by a woman will make him a laughing stock wherever he goes.”
“But at least he’ll be alive.”
“Yes, but it will take years for him to rebuild his pride.”
Devina arched a brow and looked deep into my eyes. “And he’ll have those years now. Maybe if he uses his time wisely, he’ll come to realize that what others think of him is of little importance.”
“Wow.” I let the audience leave to avoid getting caught up among them again.
“What?”
“Just turn down your Motlander vibe. It makes you sound like a girl.”
“I’m hot.” She pulled at the blue hoodie and blew down the front. My mom and sister hadn’t thought this through. It was August and we were in the middle of a heat wave. Devina would be the only one wearing a sweatshirt and she would be dying before noon if the heat continued to rise.
“Let’s keep you hydrated.” I got up and counted on her to follow me.
A man waited by the stairs, and as we passed him, he smiled at her. “Hey there.”
I put a strong hand on her shoulder and guided her in front of me.
“Oh, I see, I didn’t realize that you and the boy were a couple.”
To be accused of being gay in public was a first and I scowled at him. “We’re not, but he’s under my protection, so fuck off.”
He was tall but not as well-muscled as most men. “Don’t worry, I can keep a secret. Let me know if you want company.”
I didn’t have time to respond because Devina hurried down the stairs and I followed.
Finding a food stand, I bought her a large bottle of water and pressed it into her hand. “Drink this.”
“You have money?”
“Uh-huh. Do you want something else?
“No, I meant that it’s surprising to see actual money notes. We got rid of the monetary system more than eighty years ago. Now there’s a fair distribution of resources through the point system I talked about. Meaning that people contribute in any way they can and in return everyone is taken care of.”
“Wouldn’t you rather have money, so you could buy stuff?”
She looked around at the men passing by us. “I’ve never thought about it.”
“Money and prestige are why so many are risking their lives in this tournament.”
She took a sip of the water and gave me a piercing look. “I thought they did it to marry Wilma and find love.”
I straightened up. “Yeah, that too of course.”
Raising her chin, she assessed me. “Which comes first?”
“Love.”
“You sure?”
