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My brothers have given me a wide berth these past few days, knowing I’ll snap at every little thing. The bunnies know something’s up, but with Opal being with Jo and Atlas more than not, they haven’t been able to figure out what has happened between us. Thankfully, Candy has kept her word, revealing nothing. She’s chosen to avoid me as well. Fine by me.
The only people who seem to have a grasp of the situation are Atlas and Jo. And if the death glares Jo’s sports are any sign, I’d bet she knows way more than Atlas.
“You going to fill me in with what the fuck is going on?”
I ignore Atlas, choosing to focus on getting out of the headlock he has me in. Being pinned down on a smelly mat at the boxing club in downtown Fort Collins is not a position I want to be in. I try to buck him from my body, but he’s a heavy fucker. It’s like a damn giant is crushing me.
Atlas’s arms and legs flex around my body in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stranglehold. “That’s an order, VP.”
“No,” I gasp. Using all my upper body strength, I reach around his neck, yanking forward. Atlas’s grip loosens. He tumbles over my shoulder, but rolls to his feet in a crouched stance, ready to come at me again. Nobody his size should be so agile, but here he is, stalking me like a mountain lion.
His arms wrap around my torso. I drive up with my knee, hitting him good on his side. Atlas backs off, but the relief is only temporary before he’s got his arms constricting around me again. He brings me down to the mat, hard on my back. Instead of pinning me to the floor, he rolls off, standing to retrieve his water bottle.
Annoyed that he bested me again, I sit up, locking my arms around my knees. “It’s not like you to back off in the middle of a fight.”
Atlas gives me a side-eye. “Yeah, well it’s not like you to pussy-foot on the mats.”
As much as it pains me to admit it, he’s right. Atlas may be bigger, but I’m faster. In sparring, we’re equally matched. Being bested three out of three has never happened to me before.
“I didn’t sleep well.”
My brother chugs his water then says, “Probably because your woman has been sleeping more on my woman’s couch than with her own man.”
“For the last fucking time, Opal is not my woman. You know we ended things. Let it go.”
“And you’ve been regretting it ever since you pulled the plug. You’re moodier than a teenager hitting puberty. Either man the fuck up and get her back, or harden the fuck up and stop piss moaning.”
“I’m not saying anything,” I retort.
Atlas stands before me, staring me down. “You don’t need to say anything since you permeate the air with your discontent. You haven’t been the same without her. Everyone knows it. You want her back, and I want my brother back. I don’t care if you have to turn into a simp, just make it happen.”
“I can’t,” I grit through clenched teeth. There’s nothing I want more than Opal, but I can’t do that to her.
“What happened?” Atlas scrutinizes me, but he won’t find anything on my face to give me away.
“Leave it alone, man.” I try to turn away, escape to the locker room, but Atlas halts me in place, laying his hand on my shoulder. I try to shrug him off.
Atlas’s grip tightens. “This ain’t you, Gauge. You’re wild about Opal. A man doesn’t walk away when he has it all.”
“I’m fine,” I lie.
“Yeah?” Atlas gets in my face. “For how long? I can only imagine your sunny disposition improving once she finds a fresh man to fill your shoes. It may not be today, but it’s coming.”
It’s like a bucket of ice water has been dumped over my head. “Who’s sniffing around her? Is it Flay?”
My brother rolls his eyes. “Flay is the least of your concerns. You’ve got every warm-blooded, unattached man interested in her. And why not? Opal’s the entire package and you’re throwing her away. An MC brother may think twice before crossing that line, but outside of the club, they’ll be lining up. You going to stand back and let someone else move in on her?”
Like I have a choice? Opal deserves someone who isn’t a sexual deviant. I don’t fit the bill.
Furious, but unable to do anything about it, I swallow down my urge to reclaim what I had with Opal. I finally yank myself free of Atlas’s hold, storming away to the locker room.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
OPAL
July 2020
It’s been two weeks since I caught Gauge with Candy, and it still guts me when I think about them together. The trick is to stay busy so I don’t dwell on his betrayal. Hence, school has been a welcoming distraction.
