Page 48 of Unmade

Besides, three burgers were rookie numbers. Beckett could catch me on any other day, and I’d outeat him in the blink of an eye.

Alex nodded knowingly. “Auntie Kat says we can’t swim right after we eat.”

“There you go.” I wiped my hands on my napkin and closed my book. Thankfully, once we got back to regular programming, my martial arts class would take place before lunch. Fridays seemed to be a fast-food extravaganza in the cafeteria, and I didn’t wanna miss that.

“What’s your book about?” Alex asked. “I bet mine is better. It has pictures.”

Yeah, she’d been readingPippi Longstocking. Fun times.

“It’s a handbook in communication—how people at this place talk over the phone and stuff,” I said. Radio, phone, encrypted messages, hand signals, the whole nine yards. And it was confusing as fuck, because Hillcroft needed to balance on the razor-thin line between clear communication and…let’s not reveal we’re military. So it was a combination of casual talk, code, and familiar terms from the service.

Alex scrunched her nose. “I already know how to talk on the phone.”

“I thought I did too.” I shook my head. “You done eating?”

“Yup! Am I going to Danny now?”

“Yes, ma’am. Then I’m gonna wrestle your uncle.”

Her mouth popped open in surprise, and I grinned.

Right on cue, Beckett showed up, and he trailed over to our table.

“Uncle Bo! Are you and Leighton gonna wrestle?” Alex demanded.

Beckett chuckled. “He told you about that, huh? Well, I gotta teach the kid, you know. He needs to be strong if he’s gonna work here.”

Oh, fuck you, old-timer.

Alex snickered.

“Did you have a nice time today?” Beckett asked.

“Yes!” Alex nodded furiously. “We read in the library, and I counted his push-ups on the roof, and he gave me a lollipop.”

I smirked up at him. “And Alex told me all about how you can’t commit to your girlfriend.”

“Commit to my—” Beckett stopped abruptly and scowled at his niece. “How the fuck do you even know that word?”

Alex shrugged. “I learn stuff. Kristen ’splained it to me.”

Beckett didn’t like that answer at all. He clenched his jaw but looked like he was trying to hide his annoyance. “I bet she did,” he said, extending a hand to her. “Let’s go. But for the record, she and I broke up, so you don’t have to listen to her anymore.”

Oh, drama. Baby Beckett was bitchy.

“Okay!” Alex was unbothered, though. “See you tomorrow, Leighton! And remember to think about nicknames, okay?”

I smiled and gave her a two-finger wave. “We’ll think of something.”

Apparently, my name wasn’t easy to say, so she wanted us to have nicknames for each other.

I watched the two walk off hand in hand, and I had to say I liked my new side hustle. Finding out little tidbits about Beckett was fun, and Alex was easygoing. I hadn’t made her cry yet. She was competitive too, which made her an excellent PT for my morning workout on the rooftop terrace. The girl was all,Do it better this time! I’ll count!

Since I had about twenty-five minutes till Operator Tenley’s introduction class to mixed martial arts, I headed back to my room to drop off my books, change into workout clothes, and sit down for a moment. Or lie down. Power naps had always eluded me, but I could relax for a few minutes and stare up at the ceiling.

My brain didn’t wanna shut up, though. I had to pick a language to learn, and Spanish seemed popular and recommended. Nicknames for Alex and me? More working out on the rooftop; the psychological effects of not leaving the building were taking their toll much sooner than I’d anticipated. Honestly, I could’ve easily gone days without going anywhere as long as I had the option to. But now, I was starting to feel restless and wanting things I hadn’t cared about before. Like, having a social life…?Dating. Well, not dating, but maybe hooking up with someone. I hadn’t had sex in over two years, and I didn’t wanna take out all my sexual frustrations on a straight superior who was a little too good at making every recruit feel special.

Also, how many animals could there be in the rainforests of South America, and why did we have to learn about the wildlife to that degree? It was going to be an entire class on its own, with Beckett as the teacher. Anacondas, panthers, all the fucking spiders, monkeys, and bugs the size of basketballs.Ugh.

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