When we’re done, I grab my drink bottle and towel, and wipe the sweat from my brow. Seth heads into his office, leaving me and Harley alone in the training area. A perfect opportunity.
Sidling over to her, I lower my voice and say, “Pretty sure you’re my soul mate, Harls. Come zip-lining with me. It’ll be fun.”
She rolls her gorgeous hazel eyes. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“What?” I act shocked. “You don’t want to be my soul mate?”
She flushes. Even though she’s tanned—probably from training in the sun—her complexion is naturally fair and does nothing to hide the pinkness blossoming in her cheeks. It’s fucking adorable. If I said that, she’d castrate me, but it’s true. It also shows that she’s not immune to the strange pull I’m feeling, she’s just doing her best to pretend it isn’t happening.
“You heard what Seth said,” she grumbles, and looks away under the guise of reaching for her water.
“I did,” I agree. “But as much as I respect him, my coach doesn’t dictate my personal life, so as far as I’m concerned, that doesn’t mean shit.” Besides, Seth is my friend. He might be pissy if I date his sister at first, but once he sees I’m serious about her, it won’t be a problem. “If you’re not attracted to me—if you don’t feel this tension between us—then come straight out and say it, and I’ll leave you alone.” Searching her eyes, I pray she doesn’t pull the lever on the escape hatch I offered.
Her eyes narrow, but she shakes her head. “I can’t do that.”
Then she turns and stalks away, her ponytail swaying down the center of her back. I gulp. Round one to me. She’s interested. I just need to work harder to woo her.
ChapterTwo
Harley
Seth’s condo looks unlived in. Except for a small pile of laundry in the corner and a plate on the kitchen counter, there’s not much indication that anyone spends their time here. But then, perhaps he doesn’t. Mom is concerned he might be sleeping at the gym. She thinks having me around will give him a reason to come home. I haven’t had the heart to tell her that I’m more likely to join him than nag him to return to the condo.
It has two bedrooms, an open plan living area, and one bathroom—which Seth is currently showering in. Fortunately, neither of us are fussy about our appearance so we’re unlikely to fight over who gets to use the mirror in the mornings. Not that I intend on staying long. What man in his thirties wants his baby sister cramping his style? I’ll be here until I get my feet beneath me, and then I’ll find my own place.
It’s evening now, the sun low in the sky, and I pull together a dinner of pad thai. There wasn’t much in Seth’s pantry so I had to make a trip to the supermarket, and I make sure to cook plenty because I know he’ll want some as soon as he gets a whiff of it. The smell of the spices reminds me of the place I left behind, and a wave of homesickness crashes through me. I squeeze my eyes shut and wait for it to pass.
“You okay?”
My eyes fly open. Seth stands opposite me, his hair damp, wearing a freshly laundered t-shirt and jeans.
“Yeah, fine. Got onion juice in my eye.”
“Uh-huh.” The crinkle of his brow says he doesn’t believe me. “Did you make me some?”
“Of course.” I busy myself stirring dinner. “I’m taking advantage of your condo, so it’s only fair.”
He grins. “You gonna cook for me every night?”
I shrug. “I can do most, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be hanging around. Depends if I find a place that’s within my budget. Maybe if I get a roommate…” I trail off because I’m not a people person, but needs must and all that.
“Stay for as long as you like.”
I glance at him, startled, and he chuckles.
“What? It’s not as if I’m sneaking women home every night and shaking the building down with parties. There’s no reason for you to hurry.”
Women.It’s strange to think of Seth with women because when we last saw each other, he was married and one hundred percent in love with his wife. The idea of him with anyone else feels wrong.
“I’m surprised you and Ashlin never patched things up,” I admit, although I don’t mention that I’m also disappointed. Ashlin is my friend. She’s the kind of person who makes the world a better place simply by existing. I don’t know what happened between her and Seth because neither will say, but any fool could tell they’re perfect for each other.
His eyes darken, and his nostrils flare. Ever since he was a kid, he’s gotten the same petulant expression when something displeases him, although at his current size, with his tattoos, it looks a little more menacing than when he was sixteen. He still doesn’t frighten me though. He may only be my half-brother—each of us having a different father—but the “half” part never mattered to either of us.
“Let’s not talk about her,” he snaps. “In fact, let’s make a deal. I won’t ask about your corrupt ex-coach, and you won’t mention Ashlin.”
“Okay,” I agree, because I don’t need Seth digging into the situation with Thaklaew—a man who wasn’t only my coach, but also my lover. I never mentioned that part to him because I was too ashamed to admit it. The fact that Thaklaew asked me to throw a fight was bad enough. The part that came after was worse. Even the memory hurts. His voice was slow and mean as he told me he’d been sleeping with other women who pleased him more than I did. Yeah, that was the icing on a crap cake, and if I have it my way, Seth and Mom will never find out. Even now, my gut churns at the memory.
“Why don’t we talk strategy?” he suggests, as though sensing my discomfort. “You dish up, and I’ll search for some videos of the other girls’ fights on YouTube.”
