AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He looks at the screen, then back at me. “Dude, no. This is your girl. Your chance to get to know her.” I shake my head no.
“I’ll find another way. She needs to learn from the best. That’s you.”
He eyes me. “If this is about you wussing out, I’m not doing it.”
“It’s not about that. It’s about what’s best for her.”
He frowns and crosses his arms. He looks over at Jackson, who shrugs. Then he sighs and nods. “Alright. I’ll do it.”
I unmute the call. “Hi Liv, sorry about that. Brando is available at four tomorrow, if that works?”
“Oh. Um, it wouldn’t be with you?” I can’t help the smile that forms on my face. Brando and Jackson fist bump each other like they did something helpful.
“Brando is an expert at self-defense instruction. You’re getting an upgrade.” I infuse all my confidence into the words.
“Oh ok. If you’re sure.” She still sounds hesitant.
“I am, but if you don’t like him, we’ll figure something out. No pressure, remember?”
“Right. Ok. That sounds great. I’ll see you then. Or, Brando, I guess.”
“I’ll be here. I’ll come say hi.”
“Ok. I’d like that.” The guys get huge grins on their faces, and so do I.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then. And Liv?”
“Yea?”
“I’m glad you’re doing this.”
There’s a few seconds of silence where I worry I’ve said the wrong thing. Then she speaks. “Me too. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She hangs up, and I set my phone on the desk, staring at it.
“That went well.” Brando claps a hand on my shoulder and shakes me out of my trance.
Jackson grins at me. “Not bad. A little rusty, though.” He gives me a fist bump. Mark just shakes his head at me and chuckles.
“Please don’t fuck this up for me when she gets here.” I meet their eyes with my sincere plea.
They look at me in mock offense.
“We would never,” Brando says, clutching his chest.
“I don’t know why I’m friends with you assholes.” They all laugh at me, and I grin. It’s a lie. I wouldn’t survive without them and they know it.
