Page 50 of I Blame the Club

“Do you understand what those names are?”

I nod, my throat painfully thick, “You found all the dance clubs near Taber University.”

She nods, motioning for me to flip the paper over, “Dance clubs, bars, and other areas I thought were worth noting. Now you have something to do when you aren’t busy training or studying.”

Swallowing the emotions clogging my throat, I pull her in for a hug, “Thank you, mom. It’s perfect.”

She squeezes me tightly, “You can scope out the dance floors for when Stella and I come to visit.”

“I can’t wait.”

The drone of my podcast fades away and it takes me a moment to realize that one of my air pods is gone.

“You’re missing out on team bonding.”

Turning, I see Nico holding the stolen item with a smirk. I hold out my hand, turning my gaze back to the road ahead.

“I’m too old for team bonding. Hand it over.”

“What you listening to?” Nico inspects the earbud, letting out a low whistle, “You’ve got the latest Apple tech. Nice.”

“Comes with the job.”

He slides into the seat across from mine, making himself comfortable, “You work for your dad, right?”

“Yes.”

“What’s that like?”

My brows furrow, “It’s fine. Can I have my air pod back?”

“Please.”

“Excuse me?”

He grins, “You didn’t say please.”

I stare at him, “Give me that air pod right now or I will come over there and get it myself.”

Nico’s grin grows wider, “Promise?”

Before he has the chance to think, I lunge across the aisle, throwing myself on top of him. Using my bodyweight to pin him against the worn leather seat, our chests are completely flushed together as I look at him with narrowed eyes.

“Never present a challenge you can’t win, Montez.”

He stares back at me, those dark eyes studying my face as I slowly extract myself from his body. The bus jerks around a corner just as I go to standup and I have to grab the back of Nico’s seat to steady myself. It’s only when I make eye contact with Hunter do I realize I’m facing the wrong way.

My stomach lurches as the bus takes another corner and only one thought races through my head.

I’m going to kill my sister.

Nico

Mo drops into my seat like a man possessed.

His immaculate skin has turned a ghastly shade of white and the sheen of perspiration on his forehead is making my own stomach cramp up.

“You okay, Maurice?”

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