Page 19 of Sweet Girl

“Fuck. You piss off Aidan, Dom?” My friend, Liam says as he lays down on the bench where I’m about to spot him. I grew up with him and his brothers in this gym from the time I was about twelve. His older brother, Sawyer, and I were both trained by my father—a former professional boxer, who held the World Boxing Association heavyweight title for several years before moving to America. Sawyer and I both had dreams of going pro, but his life took a different turn when he decided to run his family’s distillery, and I suffered an injury right before I was to compete at the Olympics as an amateur. My dreams were shattered, so now I work at my father’s gym, which I’ll someday inherit, and I keep a low profile, leading a calm life in middle-of-nowhere, Washington State.

“Yeah, I can think of a few things I did to get under his skin. C’mon, last set then I’ll go deal with this wild animal.”

“Good luck with that, he looks a little unhinged. Isn’t that more Cruz’s brand?”

I laugh at that because he’s right on the money. I spot Liam as he pumps out his last set until failure, the fucking beast. I leave him to finish his workout and head to my office, where I know Aidan will be waiting for me.

Just as I suspected, he’s pacing the length of the room, his hands balled into fists, definitely taking a page out of Cruz’s book. Aidan is like a loyal German Shepherd. Can be the softest to those on his good side, but fuck can he be vicious if you piss him off.

“Just get it out, brother. Everyone in the gym can feel your pissed-off energy.”

“Funny coming from you, considering you get to touch her anytime you want. Loved the show last night and this morning, by the way. Since when did you become such a sadist? Thought that was just Cruz.”

“It’s three days, Aidan. We decided on this together, and you were all for getting closer to her until Valentine’s Day when we will finally make our move. If we had jumped on it, she could have run scared. Or not looked at it the right way.”

“You’re scared she could leave you for one of us.” He states it like it’s a fact but couldn’t be more off base.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. She won’t ever leave me. I want to get her to the point where she won’t leave any of us.”

His body relaxes slightly but now I’m pissed off.

“This isn’t a one-and-done for you?” he asks.

“You’ve offended me enough for one day, Aidan. I’ve always had all of our best interests at the forefront of everything I do. You know that.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I just want her, Dom. It’s hard to breathe when she’s around. She was never an option before, and I kept her firmly in that box until you said she was no longer off-limits.”

“I get it. But we’ve only got three more days. And it’ll be worth it. Trust me.”

“I do. I’m just ready.”

“You and me both, brother.”

Later that day, I take a break and pull out my phone since the boys and I haven’t had much time to talk, just the three of us. I need to make sure everything is situated and in place for Friday, wanting everything to go off without a hitch for our sweet girl.

Me: Almost time. Everything in place?

Aidan: Flowers have been ordered. I pick them up Fri morning

Cruz: Wine’s been purchased, got it in the garage

Aidan: I’ll do the grocery run and pick up the other stuff when I pick up the flowers.

Me: We’re on the list for the event

Me: You two ready for this?

Cruz: *middle finger emoji*

Aidan: Aww. He’s such a lover

Cruz: You want a piece Aidan?

Me: For fuck’s sake

Aidan: Nah. Pussy only for me, bro. But if I wanted cock I sure as shit would stay the hell away from the devil snake you’ve got

Cruz: Emma’s gonna enjoy it. Can’t wait for her to feel my piercing down her throat

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