“Calm down.” Theo attempts to reason with my cousin.
“She’s playing the game, dude,” Caz says. “She knows Bryant could be useful to us. Chill out.” He lights up a cigarette, leaning back against the wall in the small auditorium.
We’ve just watched Harlow Westbrook decimate the competition in the maze.
Every time I hear the wordmaze, it reminds me of the time I spent an afternoon chasing the pretty girl with the sad eyes and the haunted smile through the maze at the back of my grandma’s house—now our house. Although this maze is different, because it’s not outdoors and it’s composed of a series of interlocking structures of different shapes and sizes, made to resemble a war-torn town.
All ten initiates went head to head using paintball guns, and Lo was the last one standing.
I can’t deny how hard it made my cock watching her expertly maneuver the course like a pro, taking down her opponents skillfully and with military precision. We know she’s trained and skilled with a gun, but it’s clear after today she is a freaking ninja wrapped up in a tempting, beguiling, confusing package.
It only makes me feel like a bigger asshole.
I fucked up so bad, and now, I risk losing everyone, because the guys are furious with me, and I doubt Lo will ever forgive me. Maybe, it’s a blessing in disguise, because my feelings for her are a total clusterfuck.
I thought I had it all worked out, but now, I don’t know what to think.
“He’s fucking dead,” Saint snarls, watching Bryant whisper in Lo’s ear on the screen.
There are a handful of guys in the room with us, watching the action go down. Instructor Corr turns around, overhearing Saint’s outburst, and grins in a way that lets him know he’s not done messing with his girl.
“Drop it, Saint,” Theo hisses. “You’re only making things worse.”
“She doesn’t need us stepping in,” Caz agrees. “Our badass beauty has got this in the bag.”
“She’s been holding out on us,” Saint says.
“Would you blame her?” Theo sends a pointed look in my direction.
“Don’t start blaming me for everything,” I hiss. “I fucked up, and I will own that shit, but don’t pin it all on me.”
“Why not?” Saint whirls around on me, his eyes burning with anger. I can’t remember any other time he’s been this mad with me. Not even when I stuffed vegetables up the exhaust pipe of the first piece of shit truck he bought and the damn thing exploded minutes after he started the engine. Throwing himself out of the truck, he escaped relatively unscathed, but he was still pissed at me. However, he was over it the next day—even seeing the funny side.
This is different.
Because she’s different.
I thought it was the hot sex and her fiery mouth, but it’s way more than that. Whatever bond they formed at thirteen has my cousin tied into knots, and he’s only falling harder. He’s in deep with her, and he might never forgive me.
“Because I’m not responsible for everything,” I reply, wincing as I shift on the seat and it feels like someone just stuck a red-hot poker in my ribs. “You’ve made mistakes too.”
Saint punches me in the face, and my head whips back. “Fuck you,” I snap. “I let you beat me because I deserved it, but I’m done being a punching bag.”
“You’re done when I say you’re done.”
“Don’t you mean whenLosays you’re done,” I retort, reacting swiftly this time and deflecting his clenched fist with my raised palm.
“You’re an idiot.” Theo shakes his head.
“I thought we agreed on that already,” I deadpan.
“Bigger idiot,” Theo snaps, uncharacteristically. “If you think any of us will forget this in a hurry, you’re sorely mistaken.”
I know they have history, but I don’t know the specifics. The thought gives me an idea, but I park it for a more opportune time.
Caz throws his cig on the ground, putting it out with his boot. “They’re on the move. Let’s go.”
We file out of the auditorium, waiting outside the maze for Lo to emerge.
