Page 68 of Strong Side

Running my free hand over my left peck, I smile into the abyss, daydreaming about everything that’s happened over the last six months.

We have what is supposedly the iconic Jax Baker Halloween party tonight—or should I say Baker Halloween party. He’s passing the torch to his younger brother, Emerson, since he’ll be living in the house when Jax is finally done with his fifth year.

I don’t care who’s hosting the party to be honest, as long as I get a night out.

I’ve been at the local high school teaching a couple of high-level elective history classes, and the rest are the juniors’ mandatory classes. Most of my students are as equally obsessed with the subject as I am, and the ones who aren’t, seem to be coming around as the year goes on. It has been so rewarding seeing them excel while simultaneously being a mentor for those who need it.

I love it. I truly do. However, my job still revolves around teaching hormonal and overly emotional teenagers, so it’s safe to say I could use a drink… or five.

Clay and I pull into the parking lot of Delectable Desserts and our apartment. Clay jumps out of the driver’s side and is around to open my door just as I grab my energy drink out of the cup holder. “What have I told you about opening my door,Garotão?”

I don’t know why he feels the need to treat me like a princess, but I’d be lying if I denied the smile that spreads across my face when he does it.

“As long as I’m able to open your door, Baby, I will.” He gives me a wink and starts up the stairs. Smile or not, I roll my eyes as he retreats.

“The last one in the shower is the bottom for the night!” I yell up the stairs at him, knowing damn well I’ll be the last one in. He looks down at me, smirking, and takes off through the door when he finally gets it unlocked.

We park down the street from Jax’s house, ensuring we can get out when we’re ready and not be blocked in by a bunch of college kids who won’t even be able to spell their own names. We can hear the music blaringfrom their house the moment we get out of the car. “Are we too old for this?”

He looks at me deadpan. “We’re twenty-three, not fifty. Come on. Let’s go have some fun.” Excitedly, he pulls me down the street toward the Baker party that’s already in full swing. The two of us intend to make the most out of this party because, in a couple of weeks, Clayton will officially be a member of the staff, and parties like this will officially be a no-go for him.

After I got hired at the high school, the staff caught wind of my collegiate career and offered me the position of head coach of their men’s volleyball program. If everything goes to plan, I hope to start a sand team there as well.

Taylor pretty much forced Clay to come and coach with him at Palm, which I already know he’s going to love. He has loved owning his own business and managing all of his real estate properties since we graduated, but it’s clear to anyone with eyes that nothing will ever compare to the love he has for his sport. We still haven’t heard from the Olympic team, but there are still three years until the next Olympics, and we have time. Taylor has us practicing against the guys whenever he gets the chance in order for us to keep our skills sharp.

As we’re stepping onto Jax’s driveway, he comes barreling out the front door. I’m not joking; he’s full-on sprinting.

Right on his tail is a man in a mask. I stare as they run past us, trying to pinpoint why the man chasing after Jackson looks so familiar.

Then it hits me. I snap my head back in Clay’s direction. “Is that fucking Theo?”

Clay’s eyes follow them as they run down the street, and then he sighs heavily. “Sure looks like it, doesn’t it?”

“Well, that’s… interesting.”

“Might as well leave them to it.” Clay’s voice is laced with apprehension, and I can tell part of him wants to intervene in the situation.

We finally step into the house. It’s packed full of already drunk college kids, and I immediately spot Lil pressed against the kitchen counter by Dominic, the goalie for our hockey team. I’ve seen him a few times in passing but never said much to the guy. I know he’s pretty good friends with Emerson, though.

Emerson’s friend or not… he’s about five seconds away from me shoving my fist through the side of his face.

“LILIANA CAMPOS!” I yell over the music, but she doesn’t even pull away. He’s leaned into her ear, whispering lord knows what.

Clay wolf whistles like the shit stirrer he is, and I snap my head toward him. “Get it, sister!” I slap his chest, and he just laughs at me. “Oh, stop; she’s plenty old enough to let loose. Quit acting like a grandpa.”

“I hate you,” I grumble under my breath.

He pops an obnoxious kiss on my cheek. “Love you too, Baby.”

Lil spots us as we approach them. “Oh hey, guys. Didn’t think you old fuckers would be here,” she laughs out. Her words slurred from the drinks she’s already had.

I step up to Dominic and lower my voice to my most menacing tone. “You hurt her, and I’ll fucking castrate you with a smile on my face.”

“I’m more scared of her than you, man… but I would never hurt her. Scouts honor.” He holds two fingers up and puts the other hand over his heart. I step back and roll my eyes, not bothering to dignify him with a response. Lil can hold her own, I have no doubt about it, but I’ll always worry about her, regardless of where I am, how old she is, or who she’s with. She’s my baby sister, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone or anything cause her any harm.

I grab one of my beers out of the fridge that we keep over here and head into the living room. As the two of us sit next to one another, watching the party unfold in front of us, I can’t help but think back to the night ofmy birthday party. That night, I knew that my life would never be the same again. I knew then that I wouldn’t spend another moment hating this beautiful man. A lot has changed since then, but one thing remains the same.

I hate him almost as much as I love him.

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