Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
For a show dedicated to fighters training, Venom, Bear Trap, Woolly, and I were usually the only ones in the gym. Guess now it’ll just be the three of us.
The days after the match are a never-ending monotonous routine of physical punishment and mental gymnastics. Forming the alliance helps. But I’m still on my guard—which one of the guys will stab me in the back? Will I see it coming? Betrayal always comes from the ones you least expect.
Finally, I get my weekly phone call.
I swear I had more access to outside communication when I was in kiddie prison.
“Remember, no details about the show,” the producer reminds me.
I haven’t talked to Diane since that first night. She didn’t even show up for my first match. And she wasn’t at the fuck off ceremony, either.
“Yeah, yeah,” I answer.
“Keep it short. If she asks about the show, cut her off or we’ll cut you off,” the producer warns.
I flick an irritated glare at him. How the fuck did I ever let myself get roped into this bullshit?
“I got it.” I jerk my chin toward the door to the room that’s barely bigger than an old-time phone booth. “Now get out.”
Once the door’s closed, I pick up the phone and punch in Molly’s number. Part of me doesn’t even want to talk to her. To expose her to any of this madness. But I miss her so damn much. It’s selfish but I need to hear her voice. Know that she’s okay. That she’s still my girl.
“Griff?” Excitement rings through her greeting.
“Hey, baby.” I refuse to call her Muffin with all these creeps listening in on our phone calls. “How are you?”
“I miss you.” She sighs. “How are you?”
“Missing you too.” I clear my throat and flick my gaze in the direction I think the “hidden” camera is located. “I can’t talk too long. Tell me what you’re up to.” I hesitate. “Remember, they’re recording my calls.”
“I know.” She sighs. “Well, finals are next week and I’m freaking out about Pre-calc. I wish I’d never taken it.”
Damn, I wish I could see her face. Or do something to reassure her. “Can any of your friends help you out?”
“Maybe.” She groans. “I don’t know.”
“What else?”
“Well, I took the week off from work to focus on finals and I almost think I’d rather be ringing up groceries than studying.” She laughs, then stops abruptly. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“Enough about tests,” she says. “How is the training? Are you learning all sorts of killer new moves? You’re allowed to tell me about that, right?”
“It’s good. One of the other guys is into—”
Click.
“Molly?”
No answer.
I stare at the phone. “God dammit, I didn’t say anything!” I shout into the camera. “What the fuck?”
The door opens again. “We warned you, bro. Nothing about the show. Nada.”
Rage swirls inside me. I wanted to do the show for Molly. Now I can’t even talk to her for five uninterrupted minutes?
I’m not sure how much longer I can handle this before I snap.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Molly
I jerk my cap off my head and toss it in the air with the rest of my classmates. For a second, I watch all the shining green and gold rise above us, then I throw my arms around Hayden’s neck.
“We did it!” we both squeal at the same time.
She squeezes me back, and we jump around in a circle together. Caps rain down on us. Classmates push and dive to grab the right cap. As if it matters. Someone shoves one into my hands. A tag with Holt is pinned inside. Okay, it matters. I have to return this if I want my deposit back.
Hayden scoops her cap off the ground and hugs it to her chest. “Wade’s speech was amazing. He’s brilliant, right?”
If by amazing and brilliant she means long-winded and used a lot of big words to say nothing, then yes, he was brilliant as our valedictorian.
“It was a good speech.” I force a quick smile to bolster the weak compliment. My girl accepts no criticism of her beloved.
Stop it. I’m salty because Griff can’t be here. I can’t even talk to him without someone listening in and cutting us off. But I shouldn’t take it out on Hayden. She and Wade make a cute couple. Even if I still think his brother’s a creep.
Jenn, Kyla, and Darcy barrel into us, and we form one big circle-hug.
“What a relief. We’re finally out of here!” Kyla shouts, tipping her face toward the sky.
“I’ll toast to that.” Darcy lifts her cap in the air like a wineglass.
Jenn leans into Hayden and whispers something in her ear. Kyla starts talking about all the parties she wants to stop by tonight.
“We’re all coming over to watch Griff’s show at your place Sunday, right?” Darcy asks me.
An uncertain smile flickers over my lips. At first, I appreciated the support of my friends. But the show’s taken such an awkward and gross turn, I’m almost embarrassed to watch it with anyone else.