Liam appears at my elbow. "Did Reed just give me a compliment through you?" I shrug. I don’t want to even think aboutReed. "I think he likes us!"
"He doesn'tlikeus. And who fucking cares what he thinks?"
"He sat at our table, he likes us," Liam says, with that grin. I roll my eyes.
“He was supervising Mason."
"He posed for a portrait, Daddy!"
"He's a narcissist."
Liam grins. "He likes us."
I don't argue, because I think, annoyingly, Liam might be right. And I don't entirely hate it.
Chapter 28. Liam
Before class starts, Griff looks at us with a grin and holds up a Snickers bar. That is my favorite chocolate bar in the whole wide world, and my mouth waters instantly. I'd give anything to get it.
"This will be a prize for whoever puts the most effort into training today," he says. And I know at that moment I'll do anything.
The problem is everybody's thinking the same. Everyone does every rep, no cheating on the count (I'm guilty of always going eight, eleven, thirteen, fifteen, seventeen, twenty...), paying attention, punching hard, hitting the pads like they're the faces of our enemies, not lingering on water breaks. Absolute best effort.
But I'll still get it. I'm sure.
Griff watches with this big smirk, like the bastard knows exactly what he's doing, assessing every move. I push harder than I ever have, muscles burning, sweat dripping down my face. I don't let up.
I want that chocolate bar more than anything in the world. Well, maybe I want Ethan more. But the Snickers is a close second.
As we near the end, Griff makes everything harder. Faster reps, more power, more intensity, harder, better, faster,stronger, yes, just like Daft Punk. Kids give up and sit down left and right, but I push through. I can see Griff's eyes on me, a glint of satisfaction as he watches me fight through the pain. He respects hard work above everything, and I'm determined to show him I'm worthy. Seeing Ethan watching me with that big, proud smile helps too.
I can hardly believe it when I realize I'm the last one standing. Even Ethan sits down. Probably to let me win. Maybe. I start thinking I'm lucky some kids don't care about chocolate, like Reed, who didn't even compete. But then I stop putting myself down. I tried. Hard. I deserve this.
I throw my hand up, celebrating, and Griff claps. Jack has a silly grin, celebrating with me. Ethan looks like he couldn't be prouder. Some other kids give me thumbs up. It feels so good.
"I want you guys to always push yourselves like this, even when there's no reward. Got it?" Griff says, and we all go, "Yes, sir." He cracks a smile, dismisses us, and tosses me the bar.
I'm so happy I basically float over to Jack and Ethan.
"You look like a little puppy wagging his tail," Jack teases. I know I have this ridiculous grin. Ethan steps close and touches my shoulder, running a finger along it lightly.
"Good job, pet," he whispers when Jack turns to grab a towel. I blush so hard I'm probably crimson.
"Thanks, Daddy," I whisper back. Honestly, I don't even care if Jack hears.
We walk out toward the showers, and I break the bar into three pieces.
"No way. You eat it. You deserve it," Ethan says. Jack looks like he really wants his piece, but he nods.
"Yeah. You don't need to share."
"I don't need to, but I want to," I say, wolf down my piece, and toss the rest to Jack like we're playing hot potato. He catches it and screams, "HEY!" But I'm already sprinting down the hallway,laughing.
"You'll have to catch me!" I yell. Jack and Ethan exchange a look, and I'm convinced they won't bother, but I'm immediately wrong. Like some silent agreement, both of them start sprinting after me. I yelp and run as fast as I can.
We only stop at the showers. I get there first; I'm fast and determined, but it's hard to run when we're laughing this hard.
"I won!" I announce. "Now you have to eat it."
