Page 34 of Conflicted

Benji held up his cube, telling us he’d shaved off another 0.25 seconds from his record. “I’m going to get another 0.25 tonight. I’m so fucking determined.”

I nodded approvingly. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

Benji didn’t respond, already focused back on the task at hand.

That just left me and Noah. I smiled at him encouragingly. “What do you have for us? What’s made you happy this week?”

“Umm…” He scratched his head like I was asking him the most difficult question in the world.

As he continued to fidget, his mouth opening and closing with no words leaving, everyone around the tablegrew still. Pity was written over a few of the faces, understanding on the others.

Noah might have presented as someone without a care in the world, dressing in snark and smiles, but the fact that he couldn’t name one thing that had made him happy?

That realisation was devastating.

My chest ached as that kinship I’d felt with him during our first meeting deepened. I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know how to find or recognise happiness.

“How about when you flattened Nate in training yesterday?” Rami prompted, his eyes kind. “That had to feel good.”

“Yes.” Noah grabbed the lifeline with both hands. “That was great. And for the rest of the night, I think I’ll join the twins in the gym if they don’t mind. I’m going to go over some of the moves Rami’s been teaching me.”

“I’m sure Nate will volunteer to be your test dummy again if you want.” Theo smirked.

Nate winked at Noah. “If you just wanna put me on my back again, we can skip the mats and go straight to my bed. I’m just saying.”

The shadows that had been haunting Noah’s eyes disappeared in a flash. “Hun, you’re cute, but so far from my type it’s not even funny.”

Nate opened his mouth and I knew it was on the tip of his tongue to ask just what Noah’s type was. I winced, concerned that it might take Noah back to that dark place. Before he could put his foot in it, Rami nudged him sharply in the ribs.

“Fine, we’ll stick to the mats,” Nate said instead, glaring at Rami. “But the offer’s there.”

Noah smiled indulgently, and I knew there was no way it was going to happen. To be fair, I doubted Nate wasinterested in anything other than a quick fuck. He and Theo had made no secret about their wish to find their mates.

It wasn’t something I’d ever thought about, let alone wished for. Thank God I hadn’t, given who I’d ended up with.

You didn’t seem that bothered when he fucked you against the wall earlier.

I ignored that annoying inner voice and pasted a smile on my face. “Okay, I’ll let you all go get on with your evenings.”

Not a single one of the fuckers moved. Not that I really expected them too. I don’t know why I tried to get away with it every time because they never let me.

Rami gave me a shit-eating grin. “Nope. You know the drill, Micah. Boss man you might be, but you have to play this little game too, especially given it was your idea.”

I sighed internally. “Fine.”

As always, it took me a few minutes to find my response. None of them rushed me, knowing this was difficult for me. I was more like Noah than the rest of them. Happiness had always eluded me. Perhaps that was why I enjoyed hearing what made all of them happy—it was like peeking through a window into a world I didn’t know.

For some reason, Nox’s arrogant smirk filled my mind. How he’d crooned while taunting me. His rough grip on my hips.

Little angel.

I coughed, trying to cover the fact I was blushing. From the raised eyebrows around the table, I wasn’t successful. “I’m happy that we made it through a meeting without an item of furniture breaking.”

Disappointment flashed in Rami’s eyes as Ez scowled, but as always, they knew not to push me onit.

“As for the rest of my night? I’ve got paperwork to catch up on.”

“No you don’t.” Benji’s fingers paused as he looked up at me. “We finished it all earlier. Did you forget?”

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