Oh no, I’d rather show you than tell you. Besides, I’d like to see your suggestions first. Mine may be a bit too….much.
My heart beats a little harder in my chest.
It’s a deal. See you soon.
Friends. That's all.
I open the door to find Cole leaning against the frame. “Ready?”
“I have no choice at this point, right?” I shut the door and lock it behind me.
He chuckles, but the smile fades fast. “I hope that it’s okay, but Tyler told us your story to prepare us for training you. The fact you knocked him out in one blow is really impressive.”
“You think so? I just called it beginner’s luck.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. I can’t wait to see you get your ass kicked.” He playfully bumps into me. “You’re brave and what you’re doing is brave. You put on such a good front, and I want you to know I’m here if you ever need a friend.”
“That’s why it’s called a front, because I’m hiding a lot behind it,” I admit.
“We all are, Sunny. Just know you don’t have to carry it alone.”
“Same to you, Cole.” I grab his hand. He slings an arm around my shoulders and plants a kiss on my head. As we approach the truck, he opens the door for me.
“No motorcycle today?” I ask.
“Tyler would have my head if I put you on a motorcycle.” He shuts the door.
Of course he would.
“You guys share the truck?”
He leans into the door frame. “Absolutely. We built her together when we were in college.” He taps the metal.
“That’s incredible. She reminds me of my truck back home,” I say, gazing around it. It’s a beater for sure, just like how mine was. But it’stheirbeater. It means something to them.
“Oh yeah?” He leans against the truck and crosses his arms. “What kind?”
“Just an old teal Chevy nineteen ninety-five truck. It used to be my dad’s.”
“Why does that not surprise me,” he chuckles and closes the door.
Hopping in the driver’s seat he says, “Okay, now let’s go kick Anthony and Tyler’s ass.”
I like that idea.
TYLER
I feel guilty not being there at the start of Sunny’s first training session. Coming from abuse, my first training session was emotional in many ways. It was such a conflicting feeling—training to protect yourself because someone is actively trying to hurt you, while simultaneously knowing the power has been in your hands the whole time. It was just a matter of learning about it.
I’ve been stuck in meetings all damn day, trying to tie loose ends for one of our campaigns for the governor in the spring. It’s months away, but we need the extra time to plan.
Everything will be dripping in roses and diamonds. Important figures will be there. A good impression is imperative or else votes will go to shit. I’d rather not have to take out the other running governor, so you bet your ass Goodman’s campaign is going to be unlike any other. Besides, I need to get on his good side since he’s Shelby's father.
I have my plan now, I just needed the answer to all the questions I’d been chasing. That is blonde curls, round eyes, and a constellation of freckles.
Sitting at my desk, I rummage through the piles of papers foreach company we partnered with today. I secured four major contracts and that isn’t including the campaign in the spring.
I roll the sleeves of my shirt up and rub a hand over my face, looking at the mess on my desk. It was a good business day, but I’m fucking exhausted. The better half of my morning was spent completing hits to secure some of the contracts today.
