Page 31 of The Defender

He gulped. “Uh, right.”

It was Friday night, and Asher, Adil, Noah, and I were seated at a corner booth in the Angry Boar. The rest of the team was scattered throughout the pub.

I’d debated telling my friends about the bet, but it didn’t feel right. As silly as it was, the wager was between Brooklyn and me only. I didn’t want to bring other people into it, and I didn’t need them telling me what a bad idea it was either.

I already knew it was a bad idea. I’d originally thought it was genius, but I quickly realized anything that brought me closer to Brooklyn was playing with fire. That shirt stunt she’d pulled the other night was diabolical.

But it was still easier to manage mymildattraction to her within the confines of a bet than to let it sprawl free, twisting and turning down roads that might end in humiliation, heartache, or worse.

Not that I thought it would get that far. It was just a precaution.

“You have to ask yourself—why are you risking the Boss’s wrath by living with her?” Asher mused. While I usually called Coach, well, Coach, Asher always referred to him as the Boss. “Maybe it’s because you have a crush on her.”

My glare pivoted from Adil’s face to his.

He smirked, and I wondered for the millionth time why my sister couldn’t date someone who was less of a fuckhead.

“Scarlett’s the one who suggested we move in together. You were there.”

“Yeah, I was there when you basically dared her to let you move in. Why would you have done that unless you have a crush on her?”

“He has a point,” Adil said.

“Stay out of it. You weren’t even there.” I turned to Noah. “Wilson, back me up.”

“No, thanks,” he said. “I think they’re right.”

I gaped at him. “You too?” This must’ve been how Caesar felt when Brutus stabbed him.

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his mouth when Asher high-fived him.

“I should’ve left you to mope at home alone,” I grumbled.

Noah looked like he would’ve been perfectly happy with that, but no one twisted his arm and forced him to come out with us. I mean, I may have insinuated this was a quasi-mandatory team bonding night, but I hadn’t held a gun to his head.

That being said, if his daughter wasn’t sleeping over at a friend’s place, he wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t blame him. It was tough raising a ten-year-old on your own, which was why I didn’t take it personally whenever he declined our invitations.

I did, however, blame him for ganging up on me with Asher and Adil. He was the last person I’d expected to betray me.

“It’s okay to have a crush on Brooklyn. I do. A teeny-tiny one,” Adil said. “I feel bad that she has to live with you though.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, insulted.

“It means she’s a smoke show and you’re not.” He gave an apologetic shrug. “Sorry.”

“Watch it,” I growled over Asher’s laughter. Even Noah was smiling at my expense.See? Traitors, all of them.“You’re still on thin ice for ratting me out to Coach.”

“I apologized for that already!” Adil complained. “Besides, I’m just telling the truth. I’ve seen both your legs. Hers are way better, which is crazy, because you’re the pro athlete and she isn’t.”

Asher’s laugh escalated into a cackle. Noah turned his head, his shoulders shaking.

I kept my indignation for another minute before I broke. My mouth curved, and I tossed a crumpled-up napkin at Adil in defeat. “You’re such an asshole.”

“A truthful one. I mean, you must be saint to live with her and not want to, you know.” He waggled his eyebrows, and just like that, I wanted to kill him again.

“Want to what?”

If he noticed the dangerous edge in my voice, he didn’t show it. “See if she looks as good out of her clothes as she does in them.” He propped his chin in his hands, a dreamy look entering his eyes. “Those legs. That smile. That ass—ow!” He howled and clutched his shin beneath the table, his starry-eyed expression contorting into a pained grimace. “What the hell was that for?”