See No Evil (Brotherhood Trilogy #1)(41)

Not to sound cheesy, but just being near him makes me feel stronger. I need that right now.

As the cool breeze tickles the back of my neck, my heart rate returns to normal. Trey eases away from my body, gently taking my hand and walking me towards the gym. I don’t want to go but his tender touch could probably lead me anywhere.

We walk into the gym and I stop by the door, pulling in a defeated sigh as I stare at the Gauntlet. Riley jogs over and pulls a Gatorade out of the cooler. Throwing it at me, I fumble the bottle and catch it just before it hits the ground.

He snickers and runs back to Kade, who’s just finishing up the tires.

Coach Baxter peeks out of his office, giving me a doubtful look before shaking his head and chuckling.

I glare at the back of his head, then take a few deep swigs of sugar water.

“Okay, fine.” I drop the bottle back into the cooler. “Let’s beat this bitch.”

Trey laughs and slaps my shoulder before pulling me over to the starting point.

*****

It took me three times as long as the guys but I managed to complete the damn thing. Trey gave me a boost over the wall and Kade caught me when I tumbled off the beam. He pushed me straight back on and made me finish. The only thing I couldn’t manage was the round of pull-ups. In the end, Trey got beneath me, held my hips and basically lifted me for twenty.

As exhausted as I was, I didn’t mind him holding me that way, and the guys were nice enough to call it a complete.

I was totally done afterwards. Trey actually piggy-backed me to the dining hall at lunch. I could hardly eat a thing. I was too tired to chew. Ms. Beasley took one look at me, thought I was sick and sent me to bed.

Flopping onto my mattress, I hit that pillow and disappeared for a few hours. It was the best damn sleep I’d had since losing Robbie.

And I was going to be getting plenty more over Thanksgiving break.

In spite of waking with stiff muscles, the guys got me to work the next day…and the next…and the next. The Gauntlet was only the beginning. By the weekend, I was in the boxing room, pulling off moves I never thought imaginable. Each day, Trey would strap my hands, grinning at me while Riley shoved pads on. I was sent to work, punching, kicking, pulling off the kind of kickboxing moves you see in movies. Kade and Trey would lean against the ropes, calling out instructions.

“No, you’ve got to punch through your body.”

“Get up, do it again.”

“Higher, more power.”

“Hold your arm straighter.”

“Three more. Come on, you can do it. Three more!”

And so it went. The manning-up of Christiana Sorrentino.

*****

Lifting the shirt over my head, I stifle a groan. My body is killing me. It’s been four days of torture. Quivering muscles, spaghetti arms, sweat in my eyeballs. I’m not sure how much more I can take.

In saying that, I do kind of love that I can flip a guy over my shoulder if he attacks me from behind. I’ve learned the art of head butting, and different kicks and punches that Riley assures me he could feel through the padding. Kade’s taught me to stop saying girly shit, and apparently my swagger is coming along nicely.

Wriggling my fingers under the hot spray, I can’t help a quick grin as I step into the shower. Riley’s guarding the door for me and Trey’s warned him that he’ll kick his ass if he takes a peek, so I can fully relax in the knowledge that no one’s going to bust me naked.

Because of this, I take my time, soaking under the hot water, easing my aching muscles for just a moment.

Until Riley starts hammering on the door and shouting, “Are you nearly done?”

“I’m coming!” I reluctantly call back.

“So’s Christmas!”

I snicker at Riley’s indignant tone and turn the water off. I quickly dry and re-strap my breasts. Because of the ground staff and my kitchen duties, I still have to pretend I’m a guy. I’m getting better and quicker at the whole strapping deal but I’ve gotta admit, I’m looking forward to walking around free and easy again. Man, when I first get out of this nightmare, I’m going bra-less for like a week.

I pause, resting my hand on the steamy tiles.

“When I get out,” I murmur, suddenly realizing what that means.

No more brotherhood.

No more Trey.

I close my eyes against the thought and hurry out the bathroom door.

“Finally,” Riley mutters, shaking his head and stalking back to his room. I follow him in, dumping my wet towel by the door and taking a seat next to Trey.

He gives me a sweet smile, then turns back to the computer screen.

He’s lounging on his bed watching football. Mr. Adler has checked on us like one time the entire break, which has meant Riley can set up all his contraband technology without having to worry. Because their room is bigger than mine, we’ve been spending most of it in here.

Kade tosses me a packet of Doritos. I pop the bag and start sharing them with Trey. His crunching is loud in my ear but I don’t care. There’s something so comforting about sitting on his bed, our legs stretched out while we watch the game. Our bare feet are resting against each other and I could lean my head against his shoulder if I wanted.

This is the closest to normal I’ve felt since…

I don’t even know.

Is it weird to think that I feel more at home right now than I ever have? I’ve only known these guys a short time in the scheme of things but it feels like they’ve been my friends forever.