Page 34 of Betraying Bexley

She side-eyed Eito then flicked her gaze back to Bronx. “Uh...”

"You didn't think we brought you with us just because, did you?" Eito stood up a little taller when Jacolbi lifted his hand.

“W-W-Well, I-I-I—”

Eito laughed. “You did. I don’t hit people unless I am forced to. Today, I was forced to make a choice, continue to see you be abused or help.” He shrugged. “I think I got the better end of the task.”

Bex didn’t understand. Why? Again, the question swirled through her thoughts. They didn’t know her. They didn’t know what her father was capable of, yet they jumped into her life and gave her a bit of sunshine. “T-Thank you.”

"Have you ever seen the purest form of Shaolin Kung Fu?" Eito pointed to Alex. "You should watch. He's all grace and power."

“Like B-Bruce L-Lee?”

Eito chuckled, shaking his head. “You always amuse me.”

She didn't know if she should take Eito's words as a compliment or as though he was dismissing her. In the long run, it didn't matter, she couldn't stay friends with them. Once her father showed up, he would disrupt her life again, and probably forbid her from having friends. Like always. So, she chose to engage in the scene unfolding in front of her. Bexley committed it all to memory. Because, at some point, they’d all be gone, and she’d be alone once more.

“Doesn’t seem fair, does it?” Bronx leaned against her. “Them fighting. Alex is so quick. He’s three moves ahead of Matthew. He jukes and dodges effortlessly. The more frustrated Matthew becomes, the more Alex settles. He’s deliberate like Alé, right? No extra movement. His energy is saved for his strikes.”

Bex nodded. “It’s beautiful.”

Bronx smiled. “It really is. It’s a dance. I’ve watched him on the weekends. He goes through these different routines and it’s mesmerizing. He doesn’t need the bulk Alé has, or the athletic build of Jacolbi.”

“Y-You like him.”

“I like all of them. Don’t you?” Bronx nudged her.

“Y-You’re all so different. I-I guess I do.” Bex rolled her shoulder.

“That’s a start. We’ll take it.” Bronx faced her. “Hey, you wanna hang tonight? At our place? We could do takeout. You can get to know our foster dad for real this time.”

Bex frowned. She yearned to be normal, but what if... “I-I w-want to.”

“You’re worried,” Bronx replied.

Bex nodded again.

“You could call your dad and tell him where you are. I’m sure he’d understand.”

No, she couldn’t. If she called him, he’d beat her for disrupting his meeting or his day or when he was screwing some woman who probably couldn’t even consent to it. “N-No. I’ll c-c-come over.”

“Yay!” Bronx squealed. “You won’t regret it. Promise.” The heavy thump of a body hit the concrete floor, drew their attention. Alex stood over Matthew’s crumpled form. “I guess we won.”

I guess we did.Bex grinned.

---