Page 83 of Martyr

“And…” he shifted on his feet awkwardly, “you and Yejun?”

West grinned. “If you want to know if June is falling for him, just ask.”

Beck huffed. “Well, is he?”

“Do you want the truth, or would you prefer I lie?”

“You’re always honest,” Beck replied. “It’s your best personality trait.”

Nix had said something similar to him before.

“If you really don’t want to miss your chance, better gain some courage.” West pushed to his feet. “It might already be too late.”

Beck flinched. “He likes him that much?”

“Maybe. It’s hard to tell, you know how June is. But if I had to guess?” He nodded. “Yeah.”

He was introspective a moment and then, “What about you?”

“Me?” West was going to bite him, but first, he needed to discuss things with Lake. Even though his best friend hadn’t given him that courtesy, he refused to be a hypocrite. He’d express his intentions moving forward, and he and Lake could hash it out from there.

Of course, he’d have to have a talk with Nix as well. He’d mentioned it before, but couldn’t tell if Nixie had taken him seriously or not. Honestly, West hadn’t taken himself all that seriously in the beginning either, so he couldn’t blame him ifthat were the case. It could still be considered a rash decision—he didn’t have nearly as much history with Phoenix Monroe as Lake did—but West wasn’t the type to shy away from the things he wanted.

And he wanted Nix.

“What’s not to like?” he ended up saying. “You’ve met him.”

“Yes, he’s attractive and intelligent, just your type,” Beck agreed, though he didn’t smile back at him.

Probably still too upset about learning Yejun was slipping further away.

West refused to end up like that. He wouldn’t hide his feelings and potentially miss the opportunity to have the person he wanted most. That was the one thing about Beck he’d always looked down on. The guy was far too timid when it came to his own desires. A lot of that was because of his father and not wanting to be lumped into the same mold as him, but still.

“How’s Hendrix doing?” West changed the subject. “I haven’t seen him around the Club House recently.”

“He’s on a business trip,” Beck said.

“A business trip? Or is he off somewhere scheming?”

Beck grunted. “Who knows? With only five months left before Lake can be crowned, I wouldn’t put it past him to be desperately searching for a way to have him removed from the line of succession.”

“Good luck. He’s been trying to do that since we were kids.”

“Very true.” Beck sighed. “What is wrong with our fathers? They have everything they could possibly want, more riches and influence than half the people in the galaxy, and yet they’re both so obsessed with the throne. Between you and me, sometimes patricide sounds mildly appealing.”

West laughed. “If you ever decide to go through with it, give me a call. Maybe we can help each other out in that department.”

The two of them headed toward the elevators, and he tried to contain his impatience over getting home. Lake and Yejun should have been there for a while now. Had they helped Nix with whatever his problem had been?

“Do you have another class to teach?” He figured small talk as they stood in the elevator could serve as a distraction.

“Yes, in,” Beck checked the time on his multi-slate, “twenty minutes. What about you?”

“I’m going to the Roost.”

“Don’t you have training tonight?”

“I’ll reschedule.” One of the perks of being the captain of the boxing team.

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