She gives me a little wave. “Can’t wait. I’ll let you get back to business. You must have to train insanely hard to keep up with all these men.”
“Bye, nice to meet you.” I return to crunches, but my mind is whirling. Eight years is a long time to forget how to interact with women who aren’t part of the martial arts community. Although, I guess in a way, Sydney and Lena are part of that community. The thought comforts me somewhat. But still, will I have anything in common with them? Or will it be one of those nights where I sit there, unsure of what to say? I hope it’s the former. I could really use some friends in my life.
Devon
Damn it. I was so close to winning Harley over, I could practically taste her sassy lips on my own. She’s been laughing at my jokes—even if she glares afterward to make it clear she doesn’t mean to—and nearly every time I seek her out, I find her already watching me. But ever since Sydney visited, she’s gone cold, and I’m not sure why. I don’t know what’s going on in her head, but it’s nothing good. At least, not where I’m concerned.
Unfortunately, I don’t know how to fix it. I glance over at her as she attacks a kick-bag with vigor, her back pointedly turned toward me. Her form is fucking amazing, because of course it is. She’s a warrior princess. The bell sounds, and she stops kicking, turning to grab her water bottle. Her eyes catch on mine and the air between us seems to cool ten degrees. I offer a smile. She scowls in response.
“Dev.”
I glance over at Jase, who’s standing behind me, presumably just having witnessed the nonverbal rejection. I decide not to let it bother me. I knew Harley wouldn’t be easy to win over, and it’s only been a week.
“Haven’t heard about any of your conquests lately,” he says, walking closer and dropping his voice. “Is that because of Harley?”
I shrug. “Yeah, I told you, I’m not interested in anyone other than her.”
Gabe, who’s dropped by to run over the plan for tomorrow evening, stops abruptly beside us. “What?”
I wince. That’s right. I’d forgotten he wasn’t there when I declared my feelings.
“Shh,” I hiss, because the last thing I need is for her to know we’re talking about her. Judging by the looks coming my way, she’s annoyed enough without being the subject of gossip.
Gabe raises a brow. “You’re the one who mentioned it.”
“Actually, Jase is,” I point out. “But yeah, I’m into her, and I’m pretty sure she’s into me. She just doesn’t know what to do about it.”
Gabe narrows his eyes. “She’s Seth’s sister.”
“I know,” I mutter, “and it’s damned inconvenient.”
“Against the rules, too,” Jase reminds me.
“Yeah, yeah.” Do they have to gang up on me? I know that pursuing her isn’t the most noble thing to do, but I also want to make sure there’s something between us before announcing to Seth that I want to court his sister, or some old-fashioned shit like that.
“Are you sure that isn’t why you’re interested in her?” Gabe asks. “The allure of the forbidden?”
Snorting with laughter, I cover my mouth. “Bro, did you just say ‘allure’?”
He rubs a hand on the back of his neck, cheeks flushing. “Sydney’s rubbing off on me.”
I shake my head, not even wanting to think about all the “rubbing” he and Sydney do. She’s a great girl, and I knew her for years before they hooked up, so I do not want to think about all the filthy things they probably do to each other.
“That’s not what it is. I like her, man. Really like her.” So much that the sight of her delivering the world’s most perfect roundhouse kick has fucking flutters erupting in my belly.Flutters.
“You hardly know her.”
I grasp at the fraying ends of my temper. They’re treating me like a naughty child, and they may not mean to, but it’s bothering me. They’re supposed to know me better than anyone else. What does it say about me that they think I only want her because I can’t have her?
“I know enough.”
Jase hums in thought. “She’s clearly not interested. Maybe you should just let this go and pick up a woman at the fights tomorrow? I’m sure there are plenty who’ll want to go home with ‘Dangerous’ Devon Green.”
“No.” Honestly, I can’t believe he’d suggest such a thing. “Would you have done that when the only woman you wanted was Lena?”
“No,” he admits.
“Then don’t try to pressure me into it. I don’t care whether you understand or not, but Harley and I have a connection, and I’m not going to rush it, and I’m not going to do anything to mess it up.”
