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His eyes went back to being narrowed at me. “Homecoming is expensive.”
“Right, Heir to the Carby’s Empire and whatever other businesses your grandfather dictates.”
“I’m not getting any of that money.”
“You don’t need it, your words exactly. If you wanted to play the poor card, you shouldn’t have told me about your grandmother’s trust fund.”
His mouth went flat. “I’ll do this if you do something for me.”
Now my mouth went flat. “That’s not how this works.”
“It’s how it’s going to be. I’m not doing shit then. I don’t care what you say.”
I growled. “Fine. What is it you want me to do?’
“I want you to come to my uncle’s gym for a self-defense lesson.”
My stomach flipped over. It didn’t drop or tighten. It just did a somersault. “What?”
He nodded. “Just you, or you can bring your friends, but one class. I want you to come. Try it out.”
“One class?”
Another nod, slower this time. “One. But you gotta stay the whole time.”
“One. Fine.”
His eyes narrowed. “Good.”
I held up my hand, my pinkie finger out toward him.
“I’m not doing that. I’m not Clint.”
No. He certainly wasn’t. “You know, you messed up with me. You never should have told my cousins that you’re starting to like me. Secrets and sex. That should’ve been the foundation for us. Alas, that ship’s sailed. You’re stuck with being my Homecoming date.” I grinned. “And you have to ask me in a very cool and elaborate way, but you can modify it to still meet your ‘cool’ standards.”
“Two self-defense classes.”
“What? No way. That’s not our deal.”
“It is if you want cool and elaborate.’”
I growled, but my mom chose that moment to sail into the room, pushing my door open all the way. “How’s it going in here? Scout, are you staying for dinner? The boys are coming over.” Her eyes lit up. “Wait. We can talk about Homecoming. This will be fun!”
Oh boy.
72
RAMSAY
Theresa parked at Mile High Gym the next Thursday.
I was already there and waited for them to get out, but as they did, I turned to stare up at the sign. For some reason, knowing the reason I was here today, that sign was bigger and more ominous than it had been the other times I’d seen it.
Theresa, Gem, and Alred came to stand next to me, all staring up with me.
“What are we doing here?” Theresa asked.
Gem poked her. “Are we here to stalk Scout?”
“Not me,” Alred piped up. “Theresa told me where you said to meet, and I was in. I’m so in.”
I looked at them for the first time, and my mouth fell open. “What are you guys wearing?”
“What?” Theresa frowned, tugging at her sports bra strap. “You said to dress for the gym.”
“I meant like workout clothes. Not . . .” I didn’t even know how to process what I was seeing.
They were wearing tutus. Ballerina tutus. And leggings. And Gem had tie-dyed hair ties holding back her hair. She could’ve been in an ’80s workout video.
Alred was in all black. Black tutu. Black leggings. But he was also wearing black gym shorts and a black T-shirt. Theresa was in a white tutu, white leggings, and booty shorts. She had a sports bra and a tie-dyed tank top on top.
I blinked a few times, but I still couldn’t process this. “I . . . agh, what?”
Alred held up a hand.
“Yes?”
He smiled. “It’s always been my dream to do a music video here. We’re wearing tutus so if we get the chance? We’re ready to go.”
A truck pulled in, gravel moving under the tires. A door opened and shut.
Footsteps crossed to us.
Scout’s uncle clear his throat. “Ramsay?”
I whirled, knowing my neck was flushed even though I was not wearing a tutu. I’d changed into a sports bra, one of Scout’s workout tanks (he’d left it at the house one time), and normal workout shorts. My hair was up in a braid. “Hi. Yeah. Mr.—uh, Miles. Hi. These are . . .” I motioned to them. “These are my friends.”
All of them waved.
“Hi.”
“Heya.”
“Have you ever been asked if someone could do a music video here?”
I groaned, closing my eyes for a moment.
“Uh, you’re here for the class?”
“Yes.” I lifted my head.
“We’re here for a class?” Theresa asked.
Gem elbowed her. “Shhh . . .”
Alred had turned toward the gym, a giant barn-like structure with the front two doors pulled open. A fighting ring was visible inside with a ton of shirtless guys exercising. A few guys were hitting the bags outside.
Alred breathed out, “Whatever we’re doing here, I’m in.”
Miles chuckled, raking a hand over his face. “Okay.”
Just then, Scout drove past and parked next to his uncle’s truck. He got out, a bag over his shoulder. Instead of coming over, he headed to the building but paused just outside the large doors.
Alred waved. “Hi, Scout!”
Gem started laughing.
