A few low snickers sounded around him, and the tipsof Briggs’ ears turned red. “They’re rewarding being boring,” he said. “That’s what this is. Play it safe, don’t take risks.”
Reed glanced up. “You mean… be in control?”
“I mean some people get gold stars for doing the bare minimum. Must be nice.” He scoffed.
Hudson saw Briggs’s gaze shift briefly toward Shaw’s back.
Ah. There it was. The nepotism angle. Very original.
He turned back toward Hudson again. “Just saying. Some guys got it easy. Don’t have to prove shit.”
Leaning back, Hudson rested his head on the wall behind him. “Aw. You sound upset.”
“Fuck off, Hale.” Briggs’s mouth turned into a flat line.
Hudson stood and pulled on a clean shirt. As he did, his gaze flicked to Shaw.
Shaw hadn’t moved. He was still facing his locker, back straight, hands steady as he folded his gear with almost irritating precision. Like none of this touched him.
If Hudson hadn’t spent the last weeks watching him closely, he might’ve bought it.
“Hey,” Hudson said casually when he passed by. “See you at dinner?”
His expression was flat and unreadable as ever. “Sure. See you at dinner.”
The following morning,Hudson swung his legs out of bed and stayed still for a second, waiting for his knees to cooperate. Something in his hip popped in a way he could only hope was fine.
When they reached the indoor facility, the energy hadshifted. Yesterday had been all nerves and adrenaline, but today felt different. More focused.
They ran through warm-ups quickly, and Hudson was paired with his first opponent. He won without much trouble, body settling into rhythm despite the ache. He stepped off the mat with a shit-eating grin and caught Reed’s eye.
“Still going strong, I see,” Reed said.
“Yeah, you know what they say… Work smart, not hard.”
Reed chuckled and fist bumped him as he walked by.
Hudson barely got to have some water before his name was called again. “Lieutenant Hale. Lieutenant Briggs.”
Great.
Briggs cracked his neck as he stepped onto the mat, eyes bright in a way Hudson definitely didn’t like.
They squared up.
“Ready?” Kowalski asked.
Briggs didn’t answer, just lunged. Hudson shifted, letting the first rush slide past him. Briggs came in hard—all force and speed, still telegraphing his moves like he didn't know better. He probably didn’t.
It took Hudson five seconds to floor him, pinning him with controlled pressure.
“Point,” Kowalski called.
They reset. Briggs stepped in closer as the instructor looked away. “You always fight like a girl, Hale?”
Hudson shrugged. “Efficiently, you mean?”
He rolled his eyes. “Where’s your boyfriend? Not here to cheer you on?”
