Staring straight ahead and still as could be, he gave me the smallest of nods.
Damn. He had that cold aloofness back, something I hadn’t seen since the first week here, back when he wanted to kick my ass on the daily. It was as if he was laser focused from the moment his and his father’s names had been called, and, not wanting to interfere for once, I shifted back in my seat and looked again between the two of them.
It may not have been the match we expected, but I had a feeling it would be one none of us would soon forget.
29Panther
GOING UP AGAINST my father for the first time in front of the entirety of NAFTA hadn’t been high on my list of priorities. Hell, it’d never even made it to a potential list of priorities. How the hell anyone thought this was a good idea was beyond me, but at least I knew my father well enough to know he wouldn’t take it easy on me. Which meant if I somehow pulled off a win, it would be because I’d earned it, not because he’d let me have it.
But about that winning thing…
With my helmet in hand, I walked through the hangar with Solo biting his tongue beside me. Ever since we’d stepped out of the classroom he’d looked as though he had something on his mind, and I wondered if he’d actually say whatever it was before we got up in the air. He’d been quiet, too quiet, and it was starting to bother me more than what I was about to face.
I gave him a sideways glance. “Solo, spit it out. I know you’re dying to.”
“I’m not much of a spitter, but you already—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.”
“But—”
“Solo.”
With a laugh, he put his hands up. “Fine, killjoy. I just wanted to know where your head’s at.”
“I think that would be pretty obvious.”
“Yeah, but how do you feel about it?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to me.”
I stopped walking and turned to face Solo. “It’s fine. I’m fine. It’s just another hop.”
“Against your father.”
“I’m well aware.”
“Then what’s the game plan?”
I couldn’t help snorting. “I knew you weren’t paying attention during the briefing.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it. But you know what I think?” He took a step closer. “I think you should get up there and go fucking wild.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “Yeah, because going wild against my father with everyone in this place watching would go over so well.”
“You want to win, don’t you?”
“No, I want to lose,” I said, shooting him a look.
“He’s expecting you to play it safe. He can probably anticipate your moves before you realize you’re doing them.”
“And you don’t think I’ve done the same? I’ve watched him my whole life.” I put my hand on Solo’s shoulder and squeezed. “Trust me; I’ve got this.”
A wide smile crossed Solo’s face and he laughed. “Fuck yes, you do.”
“Thank you. Is that all?”
