“That’s Brody, right? What’s his deal?”
“His deal is that he’s a tyrant in training. I’ve never met someone so organized, uptight, and controlling in my life,” I muttered, my eyes finding Brody again.
He laughed at something Marcus had said, and his whole demeanor was transformed. I realized how rarely I saw him smile. He’d been smiling this morning when we’d gone running, though. Two times in one day felt like a lot compared to his usual gamut of expressions, which seemed to range between annoyed, jaded, and pissed off.
“Sounds like a nightmare,” Winter observed lightly.
I nodded. “He is.”
As if my words had summoned him, Brody skated past us, tilting his head to the side as he went, his gaze on me.
“It certainly looks like you’ve made as much of an impression on him as he has on you,” Winter noted. “He keeps staring over here.”
Brody passed us by and then twisted around, skating backward effortlessly, keeping his attention fixed on me even longer.
“Probably wondering what new rules he can think up to enforce on me.”
“Rules?” Winter raised an eyebrow at me.
“Don’t ask.” I blew out a long breath. “They have a game already?”
“Just a friendly match. The season isn’t up and running yet, but it’ll be a good chance to see how the new players are going to work on the team. Do you want to come with me? I know it’s not your thing?—”
“I’ll come. Why not?” I interrupted. “Maybe I’ll get to see Brody get his face smashed in.”
Winter laughed. “Here’s hoping.” Her smile was teasing, but her focus lingered on me.
“What?” I demanded.
“Nothing,” she said quickly and turned back to watch the practice. “Nothing at all.”
Brody
Another morning,another wake-up call for Selena with a cold sponge to the face. This time, she attempted to slap me when I leaned over her, but I moved out of range too quickly.
“I’m not running two days in a row.” Her voice came out from under the blanket.
“Yes, you are,” I said calmly, flipping the bottom of her duvet up and grabbing her foot.
She yelped and squirmed as I dragged her to the bottom of the bed, then onto the floor.
She fell in a tangle of covers and sheets, swearing at me the entire way down.
“What the hell, Brody?!” She kicked off the covers and stood. She crossed her arms and glared at me, angling her chin up like all she wanted was to take a swing at me.
“I said, it’s time for our run.”
“And I said I don’t want to go for a run!”
“What about your clothes?” I tempted her.
She rolled her eyes. “I just remembered that your rich daddy gave me a black card to buy a new wardrobe with. Take your drip-feeding of my stuff and shove it.”
“Now you’re spoiling all the fun,” I murmured.
She blinked up at me. I stood rigidly over her, watching as she fought against my control. She was beautiful when she was angry.
“You’re going for a run anyway.”
