“Don’t look too stressed, this isn’t even half of it.” I hear Mitchell say in the doorway.
Flicking my eyes to him, I see he’s wearing a suit like normal. A smug smile pulls his lips and amusement dances in his cold eyes. Not even a glimmer of pride for what I’ve accomplished today.
“I’m not stressed, just tired. It’s been a long day,” I say, keeping my eyes on the papers I’m sorting through. I don’t want to give him the time of day. I have to give what little is left to Sunny.
“Get used to it. When you become owner, you’re going to have a lot of these days.” He sits in the chair in front of my desk. “And not only the company politics, but the social ones. The household politics. A wife. children. It’s endless.”
I roll my eyes. “Funny, I don’t recall you being a hitman while running the company. As much as I’d love to sit here and talk about my future, I have obligations to tend to.” I dismiss him.
He doesn’t budge from the seat as a sadistic smile spreads on his face. “Unless it’s a wife and children, or the company, those obligations don’t matter.”
“Interesting, because the wife and children obligation didn’t seem to matter to you, either.”
“I did what I needed to do to provide for my family.”
“Okay, Mitchell. You keep telling yourself that. Now I need to go do what I need to do to supportmyfamily.” I stack the papers and pack my things.
“You have an obligation to this company, Tyler. If late nightsare necessary, then you just have to deal. You’ve learned your lesson about avoiding tasks in initiation.”
I sling my bag over my shoulder. “Have a good night, Mitchell.” I walk out the door and grab my phone to see a text from Cole.
She is doing really well. Small, but fiery.
I smile at my brother’s words.
I already knew that.
SUNNY
With shaky hands, I bring the trembling water bottle to my mouth. I’m being put towork. The evidence of it sliding down my skin in sweaty tendrils. Cole and Anthony playfully swat and taunt one another, all skills they just passed onto me obliterated as they fight like two drunk girls.
“Don’t be a little bitch come on, come on,” Cole taunts.
Anthony somehow smacks Cole on the head, making sweat splatter from his long, dark hair.
“Ow! What the hell was that?” Cole asks, rubbing his head.
“It clearly worked.” Anthony shrugs.
The two start grappling around like children. Tumbling on the ground as the air fills with their laughter, echoing around the light music filling the gym.
“You must’ve given me all you know ifthat’show you two fight,” I tease. I won’t complain, it’s a nice view of muscles and sweat.
“Alright, alright. Sunny you’re up.” Cole waves me over.
Anthony fills the wordless air with chants and praises of encouragement to me, making me distracted and laughing.
“Okay, tell me more about yourselves.” I swipe at a loose hair in my face.
“We are pretty boring people,” Cole says as he swings an arm, and I duck from it. “Good job.”
“Hey, speak for yourself. I’m a very interesting person.” Anthony places a hand on his chest and bats his eyelashes.
“Okay then, pretty boy, tell her all about how spectacular you are.” Cole takes a drink of water, giving me a second to breathe.
“Well then we would be here all night.” Anthony smiles.
“Okay, back at it.” Cole raises the pads for me to hit.
