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“Oh? What kind of trouble did you get yourself into?”
Avery slanted his gaze at Brett, a slight smile turning up the corner of his mouth. “Trouble? I’m not the one who findseverypossible way to get into trouble.”
Brett grinned proudly, puffing out his chest. “Underachiever.”
Avery shook his head, trying to keep the smile from his lips. Brett took too much delight in trying to ease it out of him.
“Hightower informed me about an internship with Reece & White—one he wanted me to apply for.”
“Woooooo,” Brett said, drawing it out. “Mr. Fancy Pants. If you get the job, promise to marry me and turn me into a kept man.”
“Unpaidinternship. I won’t be mating anyone.”
Brett frowned. “Mating? Betas don’t mate, Abe.”
A flicker of fear raced through Avery. His step hitched, and suddenly Brett was two steps ahead.
“Did I say mating?” Avery asked, eyes wide. “I’ve been studying too hard.”
“Yeah,” Brett replied, smiling. It wasn’t the first time he’d caught Avery in an odd slip of the tongue. While the guy’s grades might not be top of the class, Brett was smart as a whip. “You have. Now back to our wedding.”
“Do you remember theunpaidpart I mentioned?” Avery asked, glad to have the subject changed.
“Ouch. I guess I’ll have to find a new boyfriend.” He cast a glance at Avery.
Avery lifted one brow. “You aren’t my boyfriend now.”
“Not from lack of trying on my part,” Brett replied. He leaned closer and waggled his eyebrows. Their flirting became almost a game. Obviously, they cared for one another. But Brett was wasting his time trying to get Avery into an intimate relationship.
Avery shook his head, laughing. “We make much better friends than lovers and you know it.”
Brett stopped in his tracks. “Andwhodecided that?”
Avery paused, spinning to look at his best friend. Suddenly the game had transformed into something more serious. “I don’t know.” Avery shrugged. “We would never work, you and I.”
“Says who? Opposites attract, right? Can’t get much more opposite than us.”
Brett took a couple of steps closer, closing the gap between them. He grew more serious. “Who’s to say we aren’t perfect for one another? You don’t give me enough credit.”
Avery’s lips opened and closed a few times, no words coming to his stunned brain. After a long pause, he spoke. “My focus is on school. I’m not like you.”
“Like me?”
Avery eyed him, silent a few seconds. “Nothing. Never mind.” He spun to continue walking.
Brett raced up and forced his way into Avery’s path. “No… I want to hear it.”
Avery pushed past. “Just let it go.”
Brett grasped Avery’s arm. “Answer me.”
Avery spun, angry at Brett’s needling. “Everything’s a game with you, Brett. Eventhisis some kind of game. Stop toying with me.”
“It isn’t a game. Not at all. It’s all too real.” Brett paused, eyeing him. “Maybe we’d balance one another.”
“I have brothers to fend for. I have a plan. I have to get to work and focus on them and their futures. Not my own.”
“Plans change. They adjust.” Brett took a deep breath before taking a step forward. “And I could protect you.”
