Page 64 of Her Devils

I clench my fists when the asshole leans toward her and just barely kisses her cheek. It was a featherlight kiss, but he was too close to her lips.

It lasted for a split second, but I don’t fucking like this. Not one bit.

“You’re right, Ken. I’m sorry,” I admit more to get rid of him than because I agree. “I’ll be more focused from now on.”

My eyes follow Len as Sarah whispers in her ear, asking her the same question I want the answer to if I have to judge by the look on her face.

I’ve liked Sarah from the second I met her, and I know she dislikes the Penn siblings almost as much as I do.

I’m dying to follow the girls and talk to Lenley right now, but they walk toward the taxiway to watch the aircraft with Penn and the second group of speed skydivers take off.

I take a deep breath and decide to chill out in the locker room. It’s going to be a while before my next jump, and I’m starving.

I find my brothers in the locker room, and I accept their congratulations for my performance as Peyton slaps my back and J gives me one of his nods that mean more than a thousand words.

***

Channing

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“DUDE!” PEYTON GRINS. “We aren’t jumping until the last group for speed, but holy shit! You were lightning today. I doubt anyone has even a chance to come close to your speed, Chan.”

I shrug, making a beeline for the mini fridge in the corner of our private locker room. “Seriously.” I sigh. “What’s this healthy shit in here? Organic vegan granola? What about something with some caramel in it? If your dad can spring the money for a private locker room, he can get us better snacks. I bet this healthy shit costs more than a Snickers bar or, I don’t know, even some Rice Krispies treats would be better than this stuff.” I look at the “treat” in my hand. “And why is this thing green?”

J snatches the bar from my hand, tearing it open and taking a huge bite. “The green is matcha,” he says, chewing vigorously and making a face that tells me all I need to know about how good that stuff tastes. “It’s supposed to give you energy.”

I set my helmet down on the bench near the lockers and look around the room. “At least a bag of chips, for fuck’s sake. At this rate, I’m going to have to go on a mission behind enemy lines and see if Gina has some better snacks.”

Peyton barks out a laugh. “Yeah, I’m afraid you’re S.O.L. then. I think this organic vegan stuff is courtesy of the Cove Angels.”

I narrow my eyes on my team captain. “Are you telling me that this is what the Cove Angels eat during meets?”

He shrugs. “Looks like it.”

“Fuck,” I grumble, displeased with the selection of snacks and suspiciously eyeing a bag of lentils chips. “I mean, traveling with them and being allowed to use their wind tunnel is cool and all, but this? I think we’re taking this whole new friendship between our teams a little too far.”

“Ha.” J smirks. “That’s where you draw the line, huh? Take everything away from Channing, but don’t fucking touch his junk food.”

I glare at him. “I need to keep up my energy levels if you want me to perform, and the matcha doesn’t cut it. And don’t tell me it’s good, because you’ve been chewing on that shit for a while now.”

J sighs. “I’ll talk to Ken and see if we can get something that’s more to your taste.”

“Good. I need to eat well if you want me to perform.”

“Diva.” Peyton snickers.

“Asshole.” I grin at him.

“Hey, look.” J points at his phone screen. “The times from Penn’s jump group are coming in. Shit, he did pretty well, but not enough to beat you, Chan.”

Fucking Penn. Speed skydiving is my specialty, but he’s good at it too, so I have to watch it.

“Well, fuck, hell will freeze over before Penn can dive faster than me.” I know I sound arrogant, but that’s how it works with me. I need to psych myself up. If I say that I’m the best, then I’m going to work harder to make that true.

“You’ve got it, dude,” Peyton says, looking at me with probing eyes. “You did great out there, so what’s up? And before you tell me to fuck off, I know something is on your mind.”

Sometimes I hate how well Peyton and J know me, because nothing gets past them. “It’s nothing.” I shrug. “The Angels are doing better than last week, but we can beat them.”

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