Page 67 of Fighting Spirit

“I was here first!” he protests through his laughter.

“You’re in her seat.”

“I always sit up front!”

As I get close, I can see Rowan has unbuckled this guy’s seatbelt and is attempting to bodily shove him out. “You’re usually the only one here. Now you’re in the back.”

“Traitor,” he whines as he drags himself out of the car. As he straightens, he spots me standing next to him and a slow grin spreads over his features. He’s tall and slim built, like a swimmer, with long arms and wide shoulders. We size each other up a little before he laughs and slides into the backseat, muttering something I can’t hear but that has Rowan scowling.

“Hop in,” Rowan calls to me, adding when I don’t move, “come on, we gotta hit the road.”

I get in next to him, staring straight out the windshield as I buckle my seatbelt. I’m not ready to look at him just yet, reliving the last time we were in this truck.

“You good?” he asks. I glance over and give him a quick smile before going back to looking at anything but him. He snorts out a laugh. “Okay, you just let me know when you’re done.”

“Done?” I ask.

“With whatever’s going on over there.”

“Nothing’s going on. I’m fine,” I squeak, not at all convincing.

“Sure,” he scoffs. “Just tell me when you’re done.”

Asshole. He sits in the driver’s seat all smug, thinking he’s got me figured out. I jump as a blond head pokes its way between the seats.

“Hi,” the guy says, sporting a shit-eating grin. “I’m Trevor, since my friend hasn’t bothered introducing me.”

“Figured you’d jump right in,” Rowan says under his breath.

“I always do,” he says brightly.

“Don’t I know it?”

I take in the pair of them, the way that they banter, how Rowan’s face seems softer than it was around his teammates. There’s an ease between them, that specific intimacy that can only come from years of trust and cohabitation. It’s what I’ve always had with Georgie.

“I’m Ruth,” I cut in, holding my hand to shake. Trevor has to twist to take it, maneuvering around the odd angle, but when he does, he gives me an enthusiastic squeeze, his grin somehow getting bigger.

“I know. This guy doesn’t shut up about you.”

“He doesn’t?” I try to hide a smile, my voice teasing even as I try to snuff out the bubble of hope in my chest. We’re friends. Thinking about anything more is pointless.

“Thanks for that, asshole.” Rowan’s knuckles go white on the wheel. He shoots me a look out the corner of his eye. “I mentioned you once. Now he asks about you every fuckin’ day.”

Trevor’s hand appears from the back to smack Rowan on the arm, hissing at him like a mother chastising a child. “Rude!”

“Sorry.” His response comes out automatically, if a little sullen. Clearly, he’s used to this.

“Are you coming with us?” I twist around, trying to change the subject. Rowan didn’t mention anything about Trevor joining.

“Nah, going hiking.” He leans over and digs out a plastic bag from under the seat next to him. When he pulls it up, I can see a pair of boots inside. “Ro’s dropping me at the trailhead.”

“Is that safe? Going by yourself? Where’s the rest of your stuff?” I frown. He seems woefully underprepared, and it’s damn hot today.

“Ah, don’t worry about me, sweet cheeks.” A scoff comes from the man next to me at the nickname. “I got all my gear in the back.”

“Can you keep a lid on it for one God damn hour?” Rowan sounds exasperated.

“I am!” Trevor sounds affronted. I can’t help but smile, thrilled to watch all this play out.

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