Page 21 of The Fractured

“Why not hit me harder next time, Vince? I barely felt that one,” I said sarcastically.

“Just wanted to remind you how it felt to be punched. You boys haven’t been in the ring for some time.”

I huffed in agreement as we crossed the foyer and exited the house, leaving Vince inside.

When we stepped through the front door into the night air, I pulled out my phone. Just as a hand with painted black nails curved around my arm and clung to my bicep.

Roxy’s sultry voice floated up to my ears as she fell into step beside me and walked down the porch steps. “You’re looking good.”

I didn’t look at her as I lifted my arm from her hand and focused on my phone and the recent texts I shared with Lily. But it was Seb who spoke up instead.

“He’s in a healthy relationship, that’s why.” He threw her a sarcastic grin.

Roxy hummed. “I wasn’t aware I was talking to you too. Are you third-wheeling so much it’s become a throuple?”

I glanced up from my phone, slowing my steps as I watched the interaction.

Seb walked to his bike, scoffing, while Roxy gave him a once-over. Tilting her head before she added, “I guess I could accommodate you if you're feeling lonely,Sebastian.”

“I’m not that desperate,Roxanne.” Seb faked a smile before he pulled on his helmet.

Roxy flipped him off.

I tuned them out as I walked to my car, lifting the phone to my ear as it rang on the other end.

“Hi.” Lily’s voice soothed the frustration beating through my head.

“Hi.” I climbed into my car and locked the doors, relaxing into the seat as I eyed the others through the side window.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just—I’m gonna be home a little later.” I thumbed the steering wheel, frowning at the lie about to spill from my mouth. “This meeting is going on longer than I thought.”

“That’s okay… I’m going to read before bed, so maybe I'll be up when you get home?”

I half smiled tiredly, wishing I could sink through the phone to her. “What are you reading?”

Her laugh was soft and scratched something in my brain. “Is that the equivalent of asking about what I’m wearing?”

“I mean, we could talk about that too if you like.” The words had left my mouth before I remembered I was still wearing a microphone. Hopefully, they could only hear my end of the conversation. The last thing I needed was Mark overhearing that.

“I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable in your meeting, but if you really want to know…” There was movement on her end. The rustling of sheets as she climbed into bed. “I’m wearing sweats.”

I smiled wider. “Sexy.”

“Very.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the other fighters, Seb and Roxy, were ready to leave, all starting their engines before Roxy drove out first. The rest simply followed until it was only me sitting outside Antonio’s house.

“I’ve gotta go… I’ll see you soon.”

There was a smile in her voice when she told me to stay safe and that she loved me. Her words were sweet and simple, but fed the guilt growing inside me, leaving a bad taste in my mouth as I told her I loved her too.

Hiding shit from her was going to kill me.

Chapter 7

Dean