“Why would I do that?” I asked.
“Because you want to impress a certain someone,” Cutter whispered. “But also, if you don’t train with me, I’ll tell everyone you have the hots for Doc’s sister-in-law.”
My eyes narrowed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know exactly what I’m fuckin’ talking about.” He rolled his eyes. “All those mooning looks you give her. You never let her out of your sight. And though you talk mad shit to her all the time, you don’t let anyone else do it. I think you gave that prospect a bloody nose two months ago, didn’t you? Wasn’t it about her?”
He knew he was fuckin’ right.
Goddammit.
“When is it?” I growled.
“Christmas Eve.” He winced.
I studied the ceiling. “I’m not like Gunner. I’ve easily got thirty more pounds of muscle on me compared to him. I can’t just go pop off a fuckin’ marathon and not die from it.”
Like, seriously, no joke. I wouldn’t be able to do it.
“Oh, come on. Don’t be a pussy,” he said just as Gunner came up behind me and snorted.
I looked over at him and he flipped me the bird. “What are you looking at?”
He walked out the door, and I couldn’t help but think I was really fucking myself here.
Goddammit.
“So, what time should I pick you up?”
Fourteen
Do you think we’ve ever bought milk from the same cow twice?
—Calliope to Jasper
CALLIOPE
“Hello?” I answered, staring outside as I watched with awe and shock.
Snowing.
It was snowing on Christmas Eve.
What in the actual fuck?
Didn’t Texas know that it was Texas?
We didn’t get snow, and we certainly didn’t get it this early in the year…or at all.
But there it was, happening right in front of my face.
It wasn’t sticking, though.
In fact, the weatherman actually said that all this would be gone by the evening as a warm front blew through the area.
Tomorrow it was supposed to be sixty.
“What took you so long to answer? Damn,” Searcy grumbled. “I’ve been calling all morning.”
