Page 100 of Play Dirty

Two games to sit. Watch. Think.

I didn’t like thinking.

The bar pressed up over my head. Locked out. Held.

Lowered.

Again.

The door opened behind me. I didn’t turn. I didn’t need to.

“You always lift this late?”

Sebastian.

I racked the bar. Sat up. Looked at him.

“Always.”

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him like he wasn’t sure if he should be there.

That tracked.

He hovered for a second, then moved to the rack across from me. Picked up a pair of dumbbells.

Not heavy ones.

Not weak, either.

We worked in silence for a few minutes. Just the sound of metal and breath.

“You were right,” he said finally.

I didn’t answer. Didn’t ask.

He kept going anyway. I knew he would.

They always do.

“About that hit.”

I glanced up.

“What about it?”

He exhaled slowly, pressing the weight overhead.

“Someone had to do it.”

A pause.

“Yeah,” I said.

That was enough.

Another minute passed. Then—

“I’ve been looking at Sutherland.”