Page 122 of Claim & Don't Tell

She tosses a wink over her shoulder and sashays away. The oversized shirt hides her ass, but even still, I do love to watch her leave. That’s our mate.

My phone buzzes again. Pulling my gaze from Quinn, I tug it out of my pocket.

Mick

Are you in?

Mick is a good guy, almost like a father figure to me in certain ways, but he’s also an impatient bastard. Knowing him, he already has a few other weight classes lined up, and he’s waiting on me before moving on to the next best fighter in my class.

“So.” I lock the phone and glance at Brady. “The Regional Fist is coming up.”

Brady arches an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything.

“Are you going to fight?” Austin asks.

Sighing, I shrug. “Finals are also coming up.” My eyes cut to Brady again.

His lips are pressed together. I can’t tell if that’s good or bad.

“I think I can manage studying and training, but it might mean pulling some late nights. I know I lost last year, but Mick has been pushing me, and I think I’m ready.”

Austin takes a sip of his drink, eyeing Brady. Like me, he’s waiting for the oldest of us to tell me what a horrible idea it is. “And if you win, you go to nationals?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Okay,” Quinn says, shutting the sliding glass door behind her. “What did I miss?” She drops into her own seat, sticking her tongue out at me when I narrow my eyes at her choice of chair. “My vagina is sore, and if you keep teasing me, I’m going to lose all sense and demand more sex.”

“Couldn’t hurt that bad,” I say with a wicked grin.

She pulls her knees up. “I need a day of rest.”

“Whatever you need,” Brady says. “Should I get you a heating pad?”

“No,” she says with a soft chuckle. “I’ll be fine.” She squints and glances around the group. “What were you talking about while I was gone? Dylan looked tense.”

“He’s going to fight in the Regional Fist next month,” Brady informs her.

My jaw drops open, and he shrugs at me.

“It’s your life. If you think you can manage studying and fighting, I believe in you, and if you need help, I’m here for you.”

“What have you done with my brother?”

He flips me off.

“I can plan your meals,” Austin offers. “That much training and studying, you’ll need all the fuel you can get.”

“Thanks, bro.” I clink my glass with his and savor a drink. “And that means this should probably be my last night drinking.” Brady and Austin nod, but Quinn tips her head in question. “Alcohol makes you sluggish,” I explain. “If I’m getting my second shot at the regional title, I need to be in the best condition.”

“Makes sense.” She sips her wine and eyes the fire. “So, you guys just sit out here and talk?”

Brady nods. “Pretty much.”

She frowns. “I thought, for sure, we’d be plotting murders or making a plan to overthrow the government.”

“Now that you mention it,” Austin says with a grin. “How would you like us to deal with that shithead ex-boss of yours?”

The fucker who’s been making it hard for her to get a job? I’d love to get my hands around his neck.

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