TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FOUR
“Yeah, no way you’re walking either,” he says, throwing an arm around my neck in one of those playful, suffocating headlock hugs. Without giving me a chance to argue, he starts pulling me toward the massive black truck parked out front like I weighed nothing.
“Finally! I was beginning to think all that ‘extra training’ stuff was just a convenient excuse to ditch us,” Leo calls out, snickering as he unwraps his arm from Selena’s shoulder. With the usual smug confidence, he hops into the truck’s backseat like he owns the place.
My brother follows right behind, sliding into the center seat, and Ethan plops down on the other side, headphones dangling from one ear.
I move up beside Selena as the two of us exchange a look that practically screams, Are they serious right now?
The twins are already in the front—Max behind the wheel and Jade in the passenger seat—both glancing over like we’re holding up the party.
“She’s been up since dawn,” Milo says from the back, jabbing his elbow into Ethan’s ribs. “Already went for a run and cooked up breakfast for half the house.”
Ethan groans loudly and rolls his eyes like he regrets even being awake right now.
Selena and I just blink at them.
“Do they really expect us to sit in the truck bed like luggage?” Selena says, laughing softly. “They’ve clearly never brought outsiders along. Their little ‘bro pack’ routine doesn’t leave much room for anyone else.”
Leo hears her and grins. “We could always make it fun—run behind the truck, make it a game,” he suggests before patting his thigh with exaggerated flair. “Or better yet, Selena, ride with me. I promise not to let you fall.”
Then his gaze shifts to me, and his grin sharpens. “And Little Bit? You can sit on Ethan’s lap. He won’t mind. Might even thank me.”
This time, there’s no mistaking the suggestive tone, and I swear my whole face bursts into flames. I don’t even look at Ethan—I already feel his eyes on me, probably just as red.
“She can sit up front,” Max interjects from the driver’s seat, voice clipped. “There’s space between us.”
Jade nods, slowly turning his head to me with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Climb on up,” he says, not moving an inch to actually make room. That grin? Pure mischief. He knows how awkward this is for me and is clearly enjoying every second of my discomfort.
I hesitate for a breath, then grab onto the sideboard of the truck. But before I even get one foot up, Jade reaches out, grips my waist, and effortlessly lifts me onto his lap like I weigh nothing at all.
“Seriously?” I squeak, more from surprise than protest. But he just closes the door without answering.
I start to slide off, aiming to wedge myself between him and Max, but Jade’s arm lingers behind my back, palm brushing lightly across the thin fabric of my T-shirt. The touch is subtle—but I feel every inch of it, especially when his fingers graze one of the still-tender welts Raven left on me yesterday.
I tense, trying not to react, but I must make a sound—something like a gasp—because he shifts his hand and murmurs, “You okay?”
Before I can respond, he leans in slightly. “Why are you already sweaty, Smalls? You barely got in the truck.”
His voice is low and amused, and that trademark crooked smile is back in full force.
“I told you—Miss Overachiever here already knocked out a full morning jog and cooked breakfast before half of you were even upright,” my brother says from the backseat, voice teasing but warm.
“I wasn’t about to let that breakfast go to waste either. Totally worth being on time for once,” he adds with a laugh, and I hear the fondness under the sarcasm.
Leo leans forward between the seats. “Wait, you made food and didn’t think to bring any for us?” His expression is so dramatically betrayed that I actually laugh, turning just enough to see him pouting like a kicked puppy.
“If I’d known food was part of the deal, I’d have gotten out of bed faster,” Leo grumbles, flopping back into his seat with exaggerated flair.
“There wasn’t any extra,” I say with a shrug and a grin. “But I’ll remember that you guys are easily bribed. Good to know for next time.”
A round of laughter circles the truck, and a few minutes later, we’re rolling up to the training grounds.
We all pile out like some mismatched wolf pack clown car, drawing plenty of stares as we go. Delta Nolan is already at the edge of the field, clipboard in hand, checking in the younger pups. His eyebrows shoot up the second he sees us.
Clearly, this was not part of his morning expectations.
“Delta!” I chirp, skipping over with a grin. “I brought some help. Hope that’s cool.”
Training the pups is one of my favorite things. It’s where I feel most in control. Most useful.
Nolan blinks at the group trailing behind me like ducklings. “Okay, wait. How did you manage this?” He points at the boys behind me like they’re some rare, uncooperative breed. “I can’t even drag my own son out of bed to come train, and here’s Ethan, wide awake, dressed, and even looking mildly content. What spell did you cast?”
I just laugh, shaking my head. “No magic. Ethan asked how often I trained, and I told him. That’s it.”
Nolan stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. “That’s it? Girl, I’ve been bribing my son with breakfast, car keys, and video game time and still can’t get him to show up.”
I shrug. “Guess they were curious. Or maybe just too prideful to back out after I called them soft.”
Milo snorts from behind me. “She’s not wrong.”
Nolan still looks baffled but impressed. “Well, whatever works. If you’ve got the secret touch, I might just recruit you as our new motivation coach.”
“Only if I get a cool whistle and a clipboard,” I tease.
“Deal,” he grins.
Behind me, I can hear Leo cracking jokes, Max muttering about form drills, and Jade tossing a few sarcastic comments at Ethan, who pretends not to care. But the vibe is different—more relaxed. Maybe even fun.
I catch Selena’s eye across the field, and she just shakes her head, smiling like she’s watching something surprising unfold.
And honestly?
I kind of am too.