Page 95 of Fighting the Odds

“Grab your things. Cyrus just got here and is outside waiting for you. We have some more details to handle here,” Rico tells me as he types something into his phone.

I kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

Stepping over to the bar, I pick up my bag, and Arizona stops me.

“Hand me your phone.” I hold it out and she takes it from me, typing something in. “Now you have my number and my bestie, Ash. I even started a group chat. You got any questions about how to handle things in your relationship or just want to talk, text us. We harem sisters have to stick together.”

I smile, knowing I have someone to talk to now about this.

“Thank you, and I will.”

I leave the club, my steps a little lighter. Mr. Johnson is going to be dealt with. I’m not going to be testifying. And she’s given me a lot to think about, regarding Colton and Wesley. But in different ways.

It’s time to let the past go.

Chapter 45

Sierra

Cyrus drops me off into the waiting arms of Braxton. Guess he’s up tonight for a date. They didn’t tell me the order, or if they did, I don’t remember. He looks so cute sitting on the bottom step of the stairs inside my apartment building, a book in his lap and two coffees waiting at his side. Thankfully, they’re ice, otherwise I’m sure they wouldn’t still be hot.

“I’ll be back later. I’m going to work at the club for a little while. Have fun, you two.” I punch him in the chest playfully, just before he kisses me.

He heads toward the door and I immediately miss him. My eyes follow his ass as he goes, loving how his glutes flex with each step.

When I turn back to look at Braxton, his face is red as he runs his fingers through his long locks of hair. It’s grown since that first day I saw him in the shoe store. It seems like an eternity ago, even though it hasn’t been that long.

“Can I carry your bag?” Braxton asks as he hands me a coffee.

“Thank you, and sure, if you want. What are you wanting to do tonight?”

“Anything you want. I don’t have the Jeep. Colton is going to come back and pick me up in a few hours. If you want to go somewhere, I can get an Uber, though.” Fuck, he’s so sweet. He takes my bag and slips the strap over his shoulder.

“I’m fine with staying in. It’s been a long day.”

“How did it go? I still can’t fucking believe it. Wesley wasn’t at school either today. Did you see him at the police station?”

I shake my head. I have no words, still too pissed over what Wesley did. But we are going to have a talk about it.

Not tonight, though. Tonight is for Braxton. It’s our date night. A girl could get used to a date every night with a different man.

We trudge up the stairs instead of using the elevator. When he hesitantly reaches out and takes my hand in his, it makes me happy. The warmth sends a flutter through my body, and I smile at his sweaty palms.

We don’t say anything, but we don’t need to. The silence is comfortable.

He doesn’t let go of my hand when we step onto the landing for my floor, or as we walk down the hallway. It’s only when we reach my door that he lets go, then wipes his sweaty palms on his jeans.

Too fucking cute.

Sticking my key into the lock, I open it and step inside with Braxton behind me. I set my bag on the floor by the door. I didn’t go to school today so I don’t have homework.

“Do you have to do anything for school?” I ask.

“Nope, I did it while I waited for you. But I thought maybe we could order some pizza and talk about our relationship. If you don’t want to, then we can wait. I know today was hard.” He sits down on the couch, bending over and untying his shoes.

I sit down beside him, slide my sandals off and pull my legs up. Propping my head up in my hand on the arm of the couch, I look at him.

“You wanted to talk about us?” I ask nervously.

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