“Don’t think you won. I’m going to go talk to my brother.”
I had ways to get around Derick, he was a softy. He also enjoyed annoying Stephan. So I nodded, hooked arms with Cassie and went in the opposite direction as Stephan.
*****
“What do you want, Jade?”
I batted my eyelashes at Derick and tried to look cute, but probably looked retarded instead.
“Are you in pain?”
Yep, retarded. I’d never been one of those girls who needed to try to get her way with a guy so I had no idea what to do. I was sure they stood in front of a mirror and practiced. Who had time to do that?
Sighing, I gave up on trying to act cute to get my way. “I want to come to rugby practice tonight. I need you to drive me.” I followed Derick as he walked toward the school car park.
“Why would I take you? You’re my brother’s girl.” He scowled at me. “I wouldn’t want you to think I’m a pussy cat.”
Argh, stupid Stephan. “Your brother took it way out of context. Plus if I go then Stephan would come.” I hugged him but he pushed me away.
“No way, Jade. I already got shit for your comment today. I don’t need to give Stephan and our friends more ammo. Keep your hands and any part of you to yourself too. You have seen Stephan and how crazy he gets when anyone even looks your way, let alone touches you. I’m his twin brother and he chews me a new one. No way. Stay away. Stephan is crazy lately and I don’t intend to add to it. He’ll come back to rugby when he’s ready. I’ll take you home now but I’m not taking you to practice.”
Sticking my tongue out at Derick as I got in his car, I did my seatbelt up and crossed my arm over my chest, and ignored his groan. He got in the driver’s side and started the car.
“You know, Derick, you used to be fun.” I shook my head. “I never thought you were scared of your own twin.” I sighed dramatically. “I guess Stephan is the stronger, more dominant brother."
“Grrr, I know what you’re doing, Jade.”
“What? I’m not doing anything. I’m just stating facts. I thought you were the more outgoing one. I mean, I met you first and you seemed to know what you wanted. Clearly I didn’t know the difference between a beta and an alpha. I do now. Thanks, Derick.” I sat quietly letting him stew. I bit my tongue trying to keep from cracking up. I could practically hear Derick boiling over.
When we pulled into the driveway Derick growled, “I hate you, you know that right?”
I did my best to look innocent. I had this one down pat thanks to Stephan. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Derick. I understand you don’t have the balls to tak—”
“Argh, fine. I’ll take you. But you can deal with Stephan when he finds out where you are,” Derick said as he parked the car in the garage.
“Sure.” I got out, grabbed my school bag, and skipped inside.
I heard Derick’s, “I so just got played,” and I entered the kitchen to see a laughing Evelin.
*****
Stephan
“Son, do you want to tell me what Brand did to you?”
I glanced up from fighting my personal trainer and bodyguard to see my father standing at the gym entrance.
“Brand, Owen, David, and Royce told me you’ve been giving them a work out,” he chuckled. “They think I’m overreacting to the shoot out and you could look after yourself?” He raised one eyebrow. “I’m told not only are you beating them in fights but your shooting is getting incredibly accurate. Are you looking at joining Brand’s team? I can tell you now your mother wouldn’t allow it no matter how old you are.”
Pulling off my tank, I wiped the sweat off my body and threw it on the floor. “I’m just making sure I’m ready. I’m pissed I wasn’t with Jade when she was shot at and Brand is getting the brunt of my abuse because it was his advice I followed when I stayed behind.”
Dad came in and started stretching. “I see. Stephan, you can’t be everywhere. You can’t put Jade in a bubble either. We have had people shooting at us before. I’d love to say it will never happen again but when you have the money and connections we have, it’s going to happen. You can’t beat yourself up about it. You have to live your life the best you can. Speaking of that, shouldn’t you be at rugby practice?”
I shrugged. My dad was right, but I felt better to be doing something that could help in the future. “Yeah, but I stopped going weeks ago when Jade almost got beaten to death.”
Dad got on the treadmill. “Oh, I see. Does the team not want you anymore?”