Page 158 of Unexpected Redemption

Having a company credit card is going straight to my head. Someone should tell Boss Dad that wasn’t wise, given my ADHD and impulsive tendencies.

To be clear,I’mnot telling him. But someone probably should.

Shep, Kri, and Val are still staying at Redleg, as they have been for a while. Shep’s overprotectiveness is at an all-time high, according to Tomer.

We’re in the Redleg gym while Kri attempts to prove she’s ready to test her way back to full duty. She and Sawyer are about to go head-to-head in some type of street fight thing. They’re stretching on the mat, shit-talking themselves into an early grave.

If it were me, I’d insist on a dance battle or a sing-off. But whatever. Guess this will be an acceptable substitute.

Noteveryonecalls Redleg their home these days. Jonesy and Aaron have teamed up to provide continuous protection to mybesties at my old apartment. I wish I were a fly on the wall to see howthat’sgoing. The text updates have been quite entertaining.

Additionally, Mia and Klein haven’t stayed over, which bums me out. Tomer says it’s because of Klein’s mom. My chest gets tight at the thought. Watching a parent languish with illness is no picnic. Even caring for Papa during his last year, I can’t imagine what Klein must be going through.

Right on cue, my thoughts are yanked from a dark path.

“Oh, good. They didn’t start yet.” Sammy waddles over to the open chair beside me, flopping down with a flourish. “What did I miss?”

“Just a lot of trash-talking and hot air blowing.”

“Splendid news indeed,” she trills in a British accent. Her fiancé is rubbing off on her.

They’ve slept in the converted bunk room beside Tomer’s and mine since Viktor was killed.May possums defecate on his grave.

Pretty much everyone who hasn’t gone home for the night is here to watch the free entertainment. We’re seated in folding chairs scattered around the gym. Sue and Leo are on the other side of Tomer on my right. Shep’s on my other side, resting casually in the chair beside Sammy. His foster daughter, Val, paces along the edge of the mat, hollering her own brand of trash talk.

No clue whatskibidimeans, but Val says Sawyer’s swimming in it. I’m further baffled over why she said he’sgiving Ohio. She also suggests he suffers from a lack ofrizz. I know that one, though. Charisma. However, I disagree with Val on that point. If anything, Sawyer suffers from an overabundance of rizz.

Boss Dad saunters into the gym and does a two-fingers-in-the-mouth whistle, instantly capturing everyone’s attention. “Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes. Maddie says she’ll makebanana bread if Kri wins. No pressure, Kri.” He lowers his brow, adding, “Or Sawyer.”

When Boss Dad asked me to order kitchen supplies to round out the breakroom for this massive sleepover, including a range, I was skeptical. If the legend is true, I’ll find out if it was a worthwhile purchase after Kri takes out the Redleg class clown.

Eager to get this show on the road, I stand and clap. “Let’s go, Kri. Kick his ass. You got this.”

She tilts her chin upward and does a princess parade wave. “I’ll get you little mamas your banana bread as soon as I put the princess to bed.”

Sammy chortles, dribbling a few drops of her water down her chin.

Instead of feigning confidence, Sawyer’s disposition shifts on a dime. His frame collapses, and he mimes walking with a cane. He adds a stumble to sell the schtick, then promptly tumbles onto the ground, doing a summersault before laying himself out spread eagle.

Laughter fills the room, including from Big Al. His laugh is surprisingly loud and vibrant, reverberating around the gym before following him down the hall. Guess he’s not staying for the show. Probably helping Madeline with dinner.

I glance at the mat, finding Sawyer still lying there like the dead. Val moves in, lifting one arm and watching it fall to the ground with a thud. She repeats the motion for his legs. More chuckles dance through the air.

Returning to my seat, I lean close to Sammy, cupping my hand over my mouth. “He’s always this animated, isn’t he?”

A look of annoyed disbelief carves lines into the soft planes of her cheeks, drawing her brows in and pursing her lips. “What do you think?”

My shoulders rise and fall with a subtle sigh. “If I were you, I’d have an alcohol problem and a large array of earplugs.”

Sammy laughs, soft and melodic as a lullaby. “I know Sawyer’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love him wholeheartedly. He’s the opposite of my piece of dogshit ex-husband in every way. Gentle, kind, passionate, doting, protective, but not possessive. Entertaining and optimistic.” Her cheeks slowly redden the more she speaks about him. “He never leaves the toilet seat up and ensures there are clean towels in the warmer for my showers. And best of all, he accepts me for who I am. Rage tendencies and all.”

Her love for him is palpable.

In fact, this place is swimming in hearts and flowery emotions. Even with all the testosterone, love practically oozes from the faucets and paints the walls.

My eyes scan the room. All these tough guys have ooey-gooey centers. I glance at Tomer, who’s got his face buried in his Redleg tablet. He’s blissfully unaware of our conversation.Hell, I wonder if he even knows what’s happening around him.

Regardless of his sometimes-gruff exterior, he also has a warm, melty core. Same as the rest of these tough guys.

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