Rowan gave a quick nod, but there was a stiffness in his jaw. “Why wait when it can be handled now?”
I chuckled under my breath. He’d learn soon enough that Derek and Mason lived like slobs.
“All right, I’ve got to head out for work.” Enzo stood and finished the last of his coffee. He usually worked nights for a security company, but sometimes they needed him to cover a morning shift. “I’ll catch you guys later this afternoon,” he added, as he set his mug in the dishwasher and snatched his keys from the counter. He walked down the hallway and was out ofsight for a moment before the sound of the front door opening and closing echoed through the house.
“I’ve got to go too,” Derek announced, getting up from the table. “Monday morning classes suck.”
Mason raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you choose your classes?”
Derek picked up his stainless-steel water bottle and shrugged. “Yeah, but I can still complain.” He glanced between Rowan and me. “Try not to kill each other at the gym. Or at least wait until I get there, so I can watch.”
“No one is killing anybody,” Rowan grumbled.
Derek laughed quietly and headed out.
The kitchen went quiet after that.
I concentrated on finishing my oats, staring down at them as if the contents of my bowl was the most interesting thing in the world.
Failing to notice the change in atmosphere, Mason turned to me and said, “Looks like it’s your lucky day since I’ll be riding with you.”
He didn’t own a car. He also didn’t have a job. Just told us his parents paid for his living expenses. Since it wasn’t any of my business, I hadn’t asked for more details.
“Whatever. Be ready in five.” I took care of my mess and went back to my room to grab my things.
Outside, I walked to my car with Mason hot on my heels.
“Shotgun,” he yelled.
“You don’t need to say shotgun when it’s just us,” I explained.
“Gotta stay ready. What if I forget when it truly matters?”
I shook my head and pressed the button to unlock the doors of my Hyundai Elantra. It was the same car I’d been driving since high school. It’d been old then, but it took me where I needed to go and was completely paid off.
I tossed my gym bag in the back and slid into the driver’s seat as Mason got in on the other side.
For a moment, I just sat there with my hands on the steering wheel, thinking about things I hadn’t allowed myself to remember in years. Like late nights in that exact car, when Rowan and I had talked about everything and nothing while parked near the river.
I watched Rowan walk to his Ducati. Mason did as well.
“Maybe I should get a motorcycle,” Mason announced.
“For everyone’s safety, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I teased as I watched Rowan swing a leg over the seat with practiced ease.
For a second, I wondered if he’d noticed my car and recognized it as the same one we used to hang out in. Did he remember those nights the way I did? If he did, he didn’t show it. He simply pulled on his helmet and fired up the engine. I started my car and thought about going a different way, but I wasn’t in the mood for Mason’s questioning so instead, I followed Rowan all the way to the gym.
After arriving, I went through my usual warm-up routine and did my best to ignore Rowan before heading to the mats for a grappling session.
Coach Luis stood in the middle of the space with his arms crossed as he observed everyone gathering. Before moving into coaching, Coach Luis had fought professionally for years and was one of the best grapplers in northern California.
“All right,” he called once we were all lined up. “Grab a partner. We’re starting with hand fighting and takedown entries.”
I looked over at Mason.
He grinned as if he had been waiting for this moment. “Let’s go.”
We stepped onto the mat together. I enjoyed grappling with him. He had incredible energy, and even though he jokedaround constantly outside the cage, once we started drilling, he moved quickly and gave me the challenge I needed.
