Page 100 of Alpha Gray

“Me too,” Reid agrees. “Let’s get back to her qualities as a fighter, eh?”

I clear my throat, leaning back in my chair. “She’s good. I’d vote to keep her on.”

“Over Shay, though?” Jax arches a brow.

I blow out a breath. “It’s a toss-up. Can we take em’ both?”

“Do weneedboth?” Theo leans his bulky forearms onto the table, back in the conversation.

“That’d only leave two more spots, if we’re doing thirteen,” Reid murmurs, glancing up from the notes he has scribbled in front of him. “And we haven’t even discussed Connor, Abe, or Fallon yet.”

The others turn to look at me at the mention of Fallon’s name. I straighten in my chair, resting my elbows on the table and weaving my fingers together.

“About Fallon…” I start, swallowing hard.

I know if I asked them to, the guys would put her on the squad, no question. Despite everything, they have my back… I could make it easy and just tell them to.

It’s not about what I want, though. Fallon wants this decision to be based on her own merit, and knowing her, she wouldn’t want to be on the squad if she knew she didn’t earn it herself. I can’t lie to her, give her a hollow victory, even though it would fucking kill me if they passed her over and sent her home.

“I told you guys I’d stay out of this one, and I’m going to,” I say. “I’m gonna leave this room so you four can make the decision… and know that I’ll respect whatever you decide.” I push my chair out from the table, rising to my feet. “Before I go though, I just wanna remind you guys to leavemeout of it, too. Don’t discount how good she is just because I got involved with her. She’s…”

Brock’s lips draw up into a smirk as he cuts me off. “We know, bro. She’s one of a kind.”

He took the words right from my mouth. One of a kind doesn’t even begin to cover it, though- she’s formidable, incredible. They’d be fools not to take her on the squad, to let her get away, just as I would’ve been if I’d actually stuck to my guns and steered clear. There’s no one like Fallon.

I press my lips together, nodding to Brock. I’m placing all my trust in them to do the right thing as I head to the door, step into the hallway, and wait.

When Theo ducks out to call me back in ten minutes later, I don’t even ask how it went- I just take my seat again, moving on to address the next recruit. The anticipation is killing me, but I don’t even want to know before we go out there to announce the list- good or bad, I’ll receive the news when Fallon does.

Fifteen minutes later, the five of us are back on the practice field, ready to deliver the verdict to the anxious recruits. It’s still packed with people- most of the squad stuck around to hear who’s been selected to join the ranks and the energy among everyone gathered is palpable.

Reid does the honors, stepping up and clearing his throat to speak as the dull roar of the crowd dies down. “Alright, recruits,” he barks, grinning. “If I call your name, you’re in. In no particular order…” He glances down, reading from a piece of paper. “Davis.”

I hear a squeal, turning in the direction of the sound to see Casey flinging her arms around her mate. I can’t help but smile at her reaction and at the big, goofy grin spread across Davis’ face. Cutting kids from training camp every week sucks- but getting to announce the new squad members at the end of camp and see their reactions makes it all worthwhile.

Reid continues down the list. “Carter. Dane. Shay.”

One by one, the recruits celebrate and congratulate one another, oozing with excitement as their names are announced.

“Diego. Maxwell.”

I bring my hands together in front of me, wringing them until my knuckles are white.

“Judd. Boyd. Tyler. Bex.”

Reid continues rattling off names, and I’m not hearing the one name on repeat in my brain, the only one I care to hear.

“Drew. Harper. Connor.”

Shit. Was that thirteen? We agreed to take thirteen.

Reid lowers the piece of paper and I feel like my eyes are going to bug out of my head, like my heart’s going to pound out of my chest. That can’t be all of them, can it?

I’m fucking panicking when Reid swivels his head to shoot me a little side-eyed glance. “Fallon.”

Fallon

When Reid’s halfway through announcing the names, I start to get a sinking feeling. I’m elated as each of my friends’ names are called, but after I hear ten, eleven, twelve names, I hold my breath.

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