Page 66 of Knot What She Seems
Then his words register, and I realize my error.
“Of course Bry doesn’t talk about you,” I say with a scowl. She only thinks about you constantly—and hates herself for doing so. Semantics.
“That’s not what you said a little bit ago.”
Stupid, cocky alphas.
I try to think of a way to save face. “She talks about Brock’s team all the time. She seems to really like them. My sister believes they’ll be mated by the end of the year.” My smile grows as Ridge’s fades, replaced by his customary scowl that makes his angelic features appear devilish.
“We’ll meet every morning at six a.m.,” he instructs, his voice practically a bark of sound.
Six in the morning? I may not have classes, but Idohave responsibilities at Darling Academy. How the hell am I supposed to change into my “Teddie” costume, train, hurry back to Darling, put on my uniform, and go about my day without anyone noticing?
A jittery feeling dances through me. Nerves—but also a very, very foolish level of excitement at getting to see Ridge one on one as the sun rises.
“Is that a problem?” Ridge arches an eyebrow at me, exuding arrogance. I wonder if he expects me to refuse his offer. Heaven only knows I should. Being around Ridge longer than necessary is a bad, bad idea.
But I need to train.
To be better.
Stronger.
Faster.
“I’ll be there,” I say with a determined head nod.
“Good.” If Ridge is surprised by my declaration, he doesn’t show it. He simply clasps his hands behind his back and moves toward the next blue mat, where two more alphas are sparring. Kylian is watching over this particular duo, and I spy the two of them lowering their heads together as they discuss something.
Give you two guesses what that “something” is.
As if on cue, both men turn to stare at me. Ridge’s expression is as stormy as always, but Kylian smiles like a psychopathic puppy and lifts his hand to wave.
I resist the urge to flip them both off.
“You okay?” Sam materializes beside me and tosses me a water bottle. I take it gratefully.
The beta is covered in a thin layer of sweat. He often gets his ass beaten too, but he’s been able to make friends despite it, because no alpha seems to expect a beta to beat them. They all feel a little pity, actually, that his family tossed him into the fire. It’s helped him make friends, which has also kept him out of my hair for the most part. But…it also makes me all the more resentful of the alphas’ disdain for me. I glare at a few smirkers before I answer his question.
“Oh, you know. The usual.” I wave a hand in the air for emphasis. “Just getting my ass handed to me over and over again.”
Sam snorts and extends a hand for me to take. “I saw.”
“You weren’t fighting?” I could’ve sworn I saw him a few mats down from me.
Sam’s grin widens. “Oh, I was. But my partner and I both stopped to watch the third time you got thrown down to the ground. I’m pretty sure everyone was watching by then.”
I bring the water bottle up to my lips to give myself something to do. I pray that he believes the red in my cheeks is from exertion, not embarrassment.
As roommates go, I have to admit I got the jackpot with Sam. For one, he was able to get me into the beta fight clubs where I’m able to practice what I learned—though I still have a long way to go before I’ll be able to hold my own against most of the alphas. For another, he doesn’t seem to give a damn that I’m never in the room. He could report me at any time, but he hasn’t yet and I doubt he will. And finally, he has become somewhat of a friend. It almost makes me wish I didn’t have to lie to him all the time.
“You didn’t do horribly,” Sam assures me as I finally accept his hand and he hauls me to my feet. I tremble on unsteady legs before taking a deep breath and getting my bearings.
“Don’t sugarcoat it.” I brush at a strand of hair sticking to my sweaty forehead. Good lord, I wish I wasn’t in my “Teddie” attire. At least girls can pin their hair up or place it in a ponytail. Anything is better than feeling it against my skin at the moment.
“I can’t believe Ridge offered to tutor you.” A hint of wonder enters his voice.
“He’s only doing it so he can get in my pa…I mean, my sister’s pants.” I fumble over my words, but fortunately, Sam doesn’t seem to notice.
