Page 2 of No Take Backs

“It’s all worked out. I need to make sure I keep my grades up, but that’s what I’ve got you for.” He swung a muscular arm around me and hauled me into a headlock, going to town rubbing his knuckles against my head.

I laughed, trying to shove away from him. The guy was too bloody strong for his own good, gangly limbs and all. Managing to break away with a curse and a “Piss off, Broadwater, before I take you down,” I caught his gaze, and I begged my thoughts to not dip into territories of just how I’d like to take him down. It wasn’t too difficult, not when he shot me a huge grin, his cheeks red, and a legit sparkle in his eyes.

This guy here was my friend, and I was okay with that. I always would be. I loved the guy, and I knew he loved my skinny arse right back. Platonic or not, that was everything.

“You wanna come with me to tell Gran and Amber?”

My heart leapt, wanting to be with him every step of the way and share in his excitement. “Hell yes. Let me beg off from work.”

Once more, Ryan slung his arm over my shoulders, this time squeezing and not thinking he was a comedian. “How about I do the talking? Your dad won’t be able to refuse.”

I snorted, knowing he was absolutely right. When his muscles shifted a little, becoming taut, I angled to look at him.

Ryan’s smile slipped. “You’ll find a way to come and visit, though, right?”

The slamming of my heart against my rib cage was almost painful. I wanted to celebrate with him, see him rise and take the pro ball world by storm. “Hell yes. Me and you, Broadwater, always. There’s not a chance you’re getting rid of me that easily.”

“No take backs.” His grin was wide and so disarming, I returned it immediately.

“In that case”—I nudged him—“best make it a first-class ticket as soon as you’re rich and famous.”

“Is that right?”

“You better believe it, hotshot. Nothing but the best from you to me. Think of it as payback for putting up with your weirdness all these years. And hell, you know how many ankle sprains I’ve put up with, just because you wanted to play basketball?” I rolled my eyes, earning me a nudge.

We stepped out into the storefront, laughing and shoving at each other. “Don’t get me started on weirdness, Nate the Niplett.”

“I do not have a third nipple!” I cringed, not realizing just how loud I’d defended my birthmark.

Ryan snorted just as Dad called out, “Yes, just get out of here.”

“Ha!” Ryan glanced at me like he’d made that happen. “I don’t even need words. Just my godly presence is enough.”

“Godly, huh?” I rolled my eyes and puffed out my cheeks to stop the loud laughter threatening to spill. “And so it begins. I’m telling you now, Ryan, if you even think about getting a god complex and your ego grows to the size of Uluru, don’t think I won’t be the one to remind you exactly who you are. Remember, I know all of your weirdness.”

His grin was broad. “Sounds like a plan. You’ll be my very own Obsidian Blade. I’m feeling all kinds of special already.”

I smirked at him. “I’ll go all Skulduggery on your arse.”

“Valkyrie. She’s the only one who can wield the blade.”

“You’re such a dork.”

“Me?” His wide-eyed horror didn’t stick, not when his lips twitched. “I’m going to be the one playing pro ball one day. There’s nothing dorky about that.”

I tugged at his arm, as Dad was giving me “the look,” the one indicating we were loud and ridiculous, and we needed to make ourselves scarce. “Come on, Faceless One, you keep telling yourself that while we make a run for it before Dad changes his mind.”

Ryan’s hand shot up in the air, and he waved it high and long and ridiculously over the top, shouting, “Bye, Mr. G. Nate can’t come home tonight as I need help with my homework, so we’ll see you tomorrow.” He then snagged my arm, and we hightailed it out of the store, ignoring Dad’s grumbles and laughing like little kids.

PROLOGUE

RYAN BROADWATER

AGE 18

In the blindinglight of the summer sun, I blinked rapidly, trying to keep my traitorous tears at bay. After already saying goodbye to Amber and Gran, I’d somehow managed to keep it together, until now.

Nate didn’t even bother keeping the tears from his eyes, and when that first one slipped free, determination to keep my shit together nipped at me. I couldn’t lose it. Not now, not with Nate’s wet, sad eyes and his watery smile directed my way.

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