Page 29 of Bride By Initiation

I grunt.

The days of my uncles ruling the O'Malley gym are over. They're better off as trainers now, and they spend their time helping all my cousins and me.

Uncle Liam, Finn, Killian, Nolan, and Declan still work out. They can't go as hard as they used to, but they could still take out any guy twenty years younger than them. So I take all the advice I can get from them regarding fighting. But I understand Brax's frustration, so I say, "Sorry, I've been busy."

He studies me. "Doing what?"

"Nothing," I lie.

"Something's going on if you're holing yourself up in here. And, Jesus"—he inhales deeply—"your place stinks. Why don't you let some air in and clean up a bit?"

I glance around my house. There's an empty pizza box on the table, but that's it. I claim, "My house isn't that dirty."

"It's going to be if you continue to hole yourself up and jack off all day. Now, go get changed."

"Nah, I'm good. I can't go out tonight," I say, glancing at his outfit of sweatpants, a hoodie, and sneakers. I add, "You don't necessarily look like you're trying to woo the ladies."

He crosses his arms. "Sorry, we're not going pussy hunting. At least not right now. We've been summoned."

"Summoned?" I question, my gut sinking.

His expression turns serious. "Yeah. Liam ordered me to personally escort you to the gym. So go get changed, or we'll be late."

I groan and scrub my hands over my face.

"Come on. Don't get me in trouble, man. You know what happens when we keep Liam waiting. I don't need another round of grave duty all week," Brax adds.

I scoff but can't argue. So I turn and go into the bedroom. I toss on some workout clothes and then grab my keys. I step outside my bedroom.

Brax points to my hand. "Put your keys away. I just told you Liam said I have to escort you there."

I groan again. "My family's ridiculous sometimes."

"Yeah, well, at least you have a family."

I feel bad for a moment. Brax is an orphan, and I remind him, "You're an O'Malley through and through. You know that."

He has a strong connection with Finn and Aunt Brenna. Maybe it's because they never had kids and Brax needed parental figures. He's even lived with them at times.

Something flashes in his eyes, but it doesn't linger. "Yeah, no shit. You guys are lucky to have me."

I chuckle and pat him on the back. "Yep. Come on. Let's get this over with."

We leave my building and head out to his rebuilt 1982 Mustang.

Finn and Brax are always buying old vehicles and restoring them. And Brax likes to drive them around even in crappy Chicago weather. It's like he has to prove the car can withstand the horrible weather conditions.

The snow's falling, and I get into the Mustang, suggesting, "Maybe it's time to upgrade your vehicle to an SUV in the winter."

He grunts. "No need, man.

"Suit yourself."

He turns on the engine, and Led Zeppelin blares at full blast. It's another thing he's taken on from Finn. They listen to the same music. Sometimes, I wonder if Finn's his blood dad, even though I know it's impossible.

I turn the volume down and question, "Did Liam say why he's calling a meeting on a Friday night?"

Brax glances quickly at me before turning his attention back on the road, and answers, "Does he ever?"

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