I shrugged. “Probably.”
Aguilar snorted. “Probably depends on whether his face goes back to normal first.”
“It’s fine.”
“His ribs aren’t,” Mills cut in. “He was sprawled out on his bed with an ice pack when I got home.”
“Let me punch you in the ribs a few times and see if you need ice afterward,” I shot back.
Everyone laughed, and Bradford asked, “How long have you been boxing?”
“A while.”
Bradford nodded as though he approved. “I should go to your next fight. I want to see if the rumors are true.”
I cocked a brow. “What rumors?”
He smirked around his beer bottle. “That you’re a beast in the ring.”
Aguilar grinned. “Damn. Bradford’s moving quick.”
“Shut up,” he said. “I’m just saying I’d like to see Cross fight. I’ve heard aboutTheRowan Cross, and now he’s sitting across from me.”
“Thanks?” I chuckled.
“Granted, I’d also like to see you shirtless.”
I almost choked on my beer.
“We bat for the same team?” Mendez asked.
“Yeah, honey. I know how to drive a stick.” He winked at her, and everyone burst into laughter.
Nobody at that table knew I was into men too, and I wasn’t planning to tell them, even if they were cool with Bradford. I laughed with them, though I worried my cheeks were pink from Bradford’s flirting.
A little later, Torres, Mills, and Aguilar went to get another round, and Mendez, Sims, and Kellman headed to the restroom. Bradford turned toward me.
“You always this quiet in groups?” he asked.
“Not always.”
“Just when you’re pretending you don’t want to be here?”
I laughed under my breath. “That obvious?”
“A little.”
I tipped my chin toward him. “You seem pretty relaxed for somebody sitting at a table full of people yelling over each other.”
He smirked. “I grew up with four brothers. This is peaceful.”
“That sounds terrible.”
“That’s because you’re an only child.”
I cocked a brow. “How do you know that?”
“You have only-child energy.”
