See No Evil (Brotherhood Trilogy #1)(40)

The sad look on his face stopped me from asking any more questions. Instead I smiled and made us get on with it. I thought it was great what he wanted to do. Trey would make an excellent businessman. He’s driven and determined…and honest.

A shudder runs down my spine as I think about Dad and wonder how honest his business transactions have been over the years. My guesses depress me.

“Mr. Lorden!” Dean Hancock snaps me back to the present. “Stop messing around up here and get down to the kitchen. Your break doesn’t start until after Ms. Beasley excuses you.”

“Yes, sir,” I mumble, heading away from him.

His clompy shoes chase me down the hall. I scramble ahead, not wanting to get caught in conversation with him, but I don’t get off that easy. As soon as we pop out of the stairwell he pulls me up short.

“Before I leave, I want to make it clear that you are to be on your best behavior. A few students always remain throughout this time. Mr. Adler and Coach Baxter are going to be in charge while I’m gone. You’re already on rocky ground. Do not make this a challenging time for either of them.”

“Yes, sir.” I look to the floor.

“It doesn’t sit easy with me that the only students remaining this time around are the three next to you. Don’t let them lead you astray.”

“They’re good guys, sir.”

He humphs and gives me a dry stare down.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes and force myself to smile. “I’ll be good. I swear.”

“You better be or kitchen duties will be the least of your worries.”

And with that sweet sentiment, he walks out of the building like the superior ass he is.

I watch him leave and then lope to the kitchen, dreading what awaits me.

Swinging the doors wide, I walk in to find the place nearly spotless. Ms. Beasley comes bustling up to me, her ruddy cheeks bright from exertion.

“You’re late.”

“By like two minutes. What’s going on in here?”

“You have some good friends.” She winks at me.

I frown and step forward to glance around the corner. Trey is pulling a pair of rubber gloves off while Riley throws a dirty dishtowel in the hamper. Kade wipes his forehead with the back of his hand and notices me gaping at them.

Pointing a long finger at me, he gives me a warning look. “Don’t expect this every morning. But we’ve only got a week to knock that wimpy loser out of you and we figure we need all the time we can get.”

I tip my head and flip him off with both hands.

Riley laughs.

Ms. Beasley tuts and slaps my shoulder. “Now be good, you little rascals, or there’ll be no special dinner tomorrow night.”

I smile as she bustles away, reminding me of a flustered chef from one of those shows like Downton Abbey. Mom used to watch it.

Mom.

I wonder how she’ll be feeling this Thanksgiving.

Am I ever going to see her again? Listen to her titter as she sips on her wine while watching TV? Or hear her heels tap on the tiles as she prepares to leave the house in her chic attire, acting like a glamorous celebrity? When I was a kid, I used to want to be her.

A piercing arrow fires right through me.

It’s hard to breathe.

Kade slaps me on the back, snapping me out of my numbing moment. “Come on, you little weed. Let’s go put some muscles on those bones.”

“What?”

Yanking my arm, he pulls me out of the kitchen and I’m dragged out to the athletics field where we start with basic training.

So much for a relaxing Thanksgiving.

The guys work me like a dog.

We start with a jog around the track, then stop after three laps to do sit-ups until my tummy aches, and push-ups until my arms are ready to snap.

They’re gracious enough to give me a two-minute breather and then I’m running again, this time short sprints until I’m wheezing like a chain smoker.

My knees buckle and I flop to the grass in the middle of the track. Falling onto my back, I fling my arms wide and squint up at the sun. My lungs are desperate for air but I can’t seem to breathe in enough. Heartbeats that feel like punches to the chest are rapid and indignant.

What the hell are you doing to me? my body is screaming.

Trey bends over me, blocking the sun. Sweat drips off his hair and lands on my cheek.

“Gross.” I make a face and wipe it off.

“Rest’s over.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

I narrow my eyes at him. “What torture do you have planned for me now?”

He laughs. “It’s time to get a little energy chow, then…”

“Then?” My voice is low with suspicion.

“Coach said we could set up the Gauntlet.”

I close my eyes and force air through my nose. “I think I hate you.”

He runs his finger down my cheek—tender and sweet.

My eyes creep open and I catch a glimpse of his smile. It’s enough to turn my heart to putty. This whole more than attraction theory I’ve got going could be a real thing.

I wonder if he feels the same way?

My stomach quivers.

“Come on,” he whispers. “On your feet.”

He hauls me up and steadies me against him. No one’s around, so he lingers by my side, running his hand up my back. I want his arms to wind around me. I love the hardness of his chest, the strength of his entire being.