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“What the fuck do you want me to do then? Piggyback you everywhere?” I asked dryly. “Or am I supposed to have sleepovers with you?”

He rolled his eyes, smirking with amusement. “No. Then again, I’d like to see you try to piggyback me. You’re a whole foot shorter than me.”

“Am not, asshole. It’s only a few inches,” I growled. “And I told you earlier, if I have to choose between you or my family, you’re on your own. They’ll know something’s up if I show my loyalty to you over them. My family is everything to me, and nothing will get in the way of it.” That was a lie. I’d already shown them that I was struggling with my loyalty just by getting in his car and ruining their plans, but until they gave me a damn good reason for targeting him, I’d make sure they left him alone.

He nodded, taking his eyes off me to stare out the window. “Chances are high I’ll die at the hands of your parents, I’ve always known that. When you first stumbled across my races, I was stupidly excited. I wanted to make you trust me, and I was going to use you as a way to get to them if I ever needed to.”

“You’re not painting me the prettiest picture right now.”

“Thatwasthe plan, but things changed,” he admitted, scrunching his face with frustration. “I like you, and I respect you. I don’t know where I’m going with this, but I just wanted you to know that.”

“Knew you were a fucking marshmallow.” I leaned forward to smack his shoulder. “Where’d your balls go?”

“Where are yours?” he said bluntly. “You let some asshole drag your girl away, and you got mad at her over it. Do you honestly think she would’ve left if she felt like she’d had a choice?”

“Don’t change the subject,” I snapped, his eyebrow raising.

“You hit like a girl.”

“This has been fun,” I was reaching for the door to let myself out, but he grabbed my hoodie and tugged me back. I went to slam my elbow into him, but his voice stopped me.

“I’m tired, Donovan. Everyone’s my enemy, but you’re not. Right? I don’t have to watch my back with you?”

“I’m not your enemy unless you turn me into one,” I said, warning in my tone. “If you give me a reason, I’ll turn on you like the world's biggest snake.”

“Noted. Do you want to get out of here? I’ll help you kill that asshole and steal your girl back?” he offered, and I would’ve laughed if he didn’t look one-hundred-percent serious.

“Ander,” I said with defeat, using his real name so he knew how serious I was. “She’s not my girl, and as much as it pains me to say this, she never will be. It’s scary how similar you seem to my sister right now. That’s some psycho kinda shit that she’d say.”

“Nothing makes people bond faster than burying a body together,” he confirmed. “You know, it sucks that you’re not into guys. We could’ve been a power couple.”

I laughed, pulling back as he went to tuck my hair behind my ear. “Don't make this weird, or I’ll break your nose and you’ll never find anyone to love you. I’ll fuck your face up so bad.”

“Is violence your love language? Are you flirting?” he teased, laughing loudly as I gave him a shove. “No? What a shame.”

“If I saw your cock, I’d probably throw up,” I replied, faking a gag. “Have you actually taken a good look at one? They’re gross.”

“Why do you think I like pussy?” he joked, but his attention was on something across the field.

Beckett and Maddox were talking with Zane, all of them watching us like hawks. I had to find out what they were up to, but not right now. They wouldn’t do anything while I was there. Not because they didn’t want to upset me, but because they weren’t sure whose side I was on.

How bad would it look if I caused a scene in front of everyone, protecting someone from my own family?

“You know what?” I chuckled as I looked away from them, giving Turbo the side eye. “I say we go get drunk. Wanna go to Wet Dreams?”

“You want to go to the strip club?” he asked slowly. “That’s owned by the Reapers, right?”

“Well, you can’t come back to my place. Mom wouldn’t let you through the door.” I smirked, grabbing the seat belt and buckling myself in. “If you have a better idea, I’m all ears. I just want to get drunker.”

“Wait..” He frowned, opening his door and holding out his hand. “Give me your keys.”

“Why?”

“Just do it, Donovan.”

I handed them over, watching him suspiciously as he rummaged in my car, and relief filled me as he returned with my bat, handing it over along with the keys. “We can’t leave without that. I have a feeling you’re going to get me in trouble and we’re going to need it.”

“Me? Trouble? Unlikely.” I grinned and clutched my bat. “But thanks.”