Page 56 of Breaking the Rules

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"Help." I motion to the weight racks. "Bring me a forty-five-pound plate."

She stares like I'm crazy.

"You can lift it."

She shakes her head.

"Your backpack is heavier."

Her lips curl into a smile. "What do I get if I can?"

"What do you want?"

She shoots me areallylook.

"Be reasonable." I'm keeping an eye on her. Even if it kills me.

"Okay. How about you tell me why you're staying with Brendon?"

I should tell her. Eventually.

But not now.

Not yet.

I need someone else thinking I'm worthwhile.

The way she looks at me—

Fuck, I need her to keep looking at me like that.

And to stop.

She's doing something to me.

Something I should be able to resist.

"That bad, huh?" She unfolds her legs. "I guess you really do need a babysitter."

"What do I get if I win?"

"How do you win?"

"You can carry the weight."

"That's how I win."

"How great that we both win."

She rolls her eyes. "That isn't how competitions work."

"All right." I know her well enough to bait her. "I'll bet you can't get through my entire workout."

"Well, duh. Not at whatever you're lifting. I spend time outside the gym."

"You have an issue with something?"

"No." Her gaze shifts to my shoulders. My chest. My arms. "You look pretty good."

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