Page 116 of Breaking the Sinner

“We should go out and celebrate!” Gen said, wrapping her arms around Cobra’s waist.

“Uhhh,” Cobra began, while the guys sent stricken looks from behind her. “We can’t, babe. Remember? We’re going to the library.”

“Yeah, that’s right.” She sounded disappointed. “And I need some books about Ancient Egypt. Can we celebrate some other time?”

Cobra pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Of course. Now let’s go get ready for the library.”

Cobra tapped his knuckles to Lex, Trav and Levi before he headed out of the gym with his arm wrapped around Gen’s shoulders. Outside, bright sunlight beat down on them, reminding him of when he and Gen had met for coffee that very first time. The nerves he’d had, heading to that fancy mall, waiting to lay eyes on her. The way his hands had shook, ever so slightly, when he paid for their drinks.

She’d been his first date. His first love. His first—and only—soul mate.

The joy of today’s offer, like the joy of the surprise party later, was best shared among friends. But these people…they were way more than friends now.

They were his family.

“Are you sure you don’t want anything other than Ancient Egypt books?” Cobra asked as he slid into the driver’s seat. Same shitty Corolla, but now with a brand-new air conditioner, which made it feel like at least a 2014. To him, at least.

Gen laughed a little. “Well, I was kinda thinking about borrowing some books about cults. I’m starting to think my family is in a cult. So I need to brush up.”

“Ancient Egypt and cults.” He nodded, squeezing her knee before he backed out of his parking spot. “That’s pretty well rounded.”

“Yeah. Kinda like you.” Gen lifted a brow, sending a teasing look his way. Another one of their inside jokes. Any vague reference to something wholesome or kind or fulfilling, Gen made sure to send it back to Cobra.

“Careful. I’m not so well-rounded that you can let down your guard around me.” Anticipation buzzed through him as he maneuvered into the late afternoon traffic. “Who knows if I’m telling the truth about everything? Maybe the library is a lie.”

Gen gasped with fake shock. “Oh, heavens! What if!”

They laughed, but the truth sizzled through him. Truth was, this surprise party was just one way of sending back her own goodness. And a way to thank the Holt Body crew.

Travis, Lex, Gen, Amara, and the rest made the bleak outlook of Cobra’s former life feel like a distant memory. The strength and support and respect he found on the daily now turned the memories of Klay and Tyler into an outrageous regret. One so grave, he could barely believe that had formed the bulk of his life.

Before this. Before Gen. Before love had softened and changed him.

Cobra scooped up her hand and brought it to his lips.

Before he’d found his future.

Things I Seriously Need To DoBefore I Go HomeIn Life In General

Pay rent and utility bills on time and with a smile!

Have an excellent, toe-curling make-out session

Go on a date with a man

Go to one of those art classes where you drink wine and everyone paints the same picture and most of them look horrible, but hey, at least you tried

Scream “fuck” from a mountaintop

Meet someone for a ridiculous coffee creation

Fix my leg

Get a guy’s number

Have sex

Have GOOD sex

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