Page 30 of Bride By Initiation

"Yeah. Good point," I say and then lean back in the seat, glancing out the window at the lights on the buildings. I mutter, "I thought the snow would be gone by now."

"Yeah, me too. I'm over it. We need to get some ladies and fly off to the Caribbean for a week. We're way overdue, don't you think?" Brax suggests.

I nod. "Sea, sand, and sex. Sounds good to me."

Brax holds his fist out, and I bump it with mine. We turn the corner, and he pulls up to the curb. "Let's get this over with. Then, we're going home and showering, and you're putting on some nice clothes. There's pussy to be had tonight."

I shake my head. "I got shit to do, man."

"Jesus. Sean, whatever's going on, you need to tell me."

"Nothing's going on," I lie.

He grunts. "Bullshit. Since when do you pass up pussy?"

"I'm just busy," I claim as I get out of the car.

He follows, and before I can step into the gym, he puts his hand on the front door so I can't open it.

"What are you doing?" I question.

His eyes turn to slits. He glares down at me. There are few men taller than me, and Brax is one of them.

He asserts, "You're hiding something, Sean. I know it, and they know it. The longer you've stayed away, the more the old geezers have recklessly gossiped like little old hens. Even Finn's asking me what I know."

"They're getting soft, aren't they?" I tease.

He chuckles, but then his expression sobers. "They'd only do that if they're super worried, so why don't you cut the shit and tell me what's going on?"

I clench my jaw.

He lowers his voice. "Does it involve ratting someone out?"

"Fuck no. You know I'm not a rat," I spout.

Relief fills his face. "Okay. Then what is it?"

"I can't discuss it, Brax."

Anger flares in his eyes. "I'm the one person you tell me you always trust."

"I do trust you, but I can't tell you this right now. I'll tell you later, though. I promise. Just... I can't right now. Okay?" I give him a look, silently begging him to let me off the hook for the time being.

"Is it because I said Finn is asking questions? You know I won't speak a word," he states.

"No. It has nothing to do with Finn, and I know you're not a tattler," I assure him.

He finally sighs and yanks open the door. "Fine. Let's get this over with. But you're going out with me tonight. I need my wingman. I'm not taking no for an answer."

I realize I need a break away from my computer, so I agree. "All right. I'm game."

He looks up and presses his hands together, as if in prayer, saying, "Thank you, pussy gods!"

I chuckle.

We walk inside the gym, and I freeze. "What are you doing here?"

My mom's brothers are all here. Brody, Aidan, Devin, and Tynan are lined up next to my O'Malley uncles.

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