When I Need You (Need You #4)(7)

"We're not going to talk about it at all?" Brady said. "We're just getting straight to the workout?"

"That is why I'm here," I pointed out. "Besides, I have specific stretching exercises I have to do first and it takes a while."

"Does it help?"

"Yep."

I focused my weight training on my arms, chest and core. I'd been in therapy for a year and could perform the leg workout in my sleep. But I was superstitious enough not to get cocky and screw something up before my official meeting with the coaching staff later today.

Watching Walker and Brady sparring reminded me that Walker was no challenge for Brady, whereas Brady and I were evenly matched. But I also knew better than to get inside the ring. One wrong twist of my foot and I'd be back where I started.

After we finished, we took a breather on the benches by the water station and I studied my brothers.

Walker patted his beard with a towel and then wiped the back of his neck below his man bun. Brady mopped his stubble, which would be gone by the time he donned his suit and tie and entered the Lund Industries corporate offices. He was the only kid who had inherited Dad's dark hair. Walker, Annika and I were all blond like Mom. So it cracked me up that Walker considered himself the black sheep of the family. That title should've gone to Brady just on looks alone.

"Why you studying us like you haven't seen us in months, bro?"

I met Brady's curious stare. "Just thinking about hair color and wondering what color Walker's kid will have. I'm hoping for a fiery-ass red with a temper to match."

"I don't care if he's bald as a cue ball or has orange-colored clown hair, just as long as he's healthy and my wife isn't at risk."

My bottle of water stopped halfway to my mouth. "He? You found out the sex?"

Walker grinned. "Just last week. We're having a boy."

"Congrats, man. That is awesome." I looked at Brady. "You and Lennox catch baby fever yet?"

"No." He picked at the label on his water bottle. "I mean, yes, we've discussed starting our family. I imagine we'll get closer to that when baby T-Dub makes his appearance."

"T-Dub? Dude. That's a lame mash-up name. Wal-Trin is totally better."

"Wal-Trin?" Brady said with a snort. "That sounds like a discount cold medicine."

Ignoring him, I said to Walker, "Please promise me Brady won't get in on the baby-naming pool."



       
         
       
        

"Maybe if you and Lennox wait too long, the newlyweds will beat you in the baby race," Walker teased Brady.

"First of all: Piss off."

Walker and I grinned at each other and bumped fists. Getting Brady riled up was always entertaining.

"Second, Annika said she's not ready to share her time with Axl yet." He cocked an eyebrow at me. "Now as the only singleton in our family, you should be worried that Mom's started her campaign to marry you off."

"It's already under way. Before I left for Florida she tried to set me up with this ‘cute as a muffin' nurse."

Brady and Walker exchanged a look. Then Walker said, "Mom doesn't know about your three dating rules?"

"Seriously? Like I'd give Mom that kind of leverage? Hell no."

"So we're the only ones who know that the first thing to keep The Rocket from asking a woman out on a date is if her status is a single mother?" Walker said.

"Bite me," I ground out.

"The second thing is no cheerleaders," Brady added.

"And the third no-go . . . no health care professionals," Walker finished.

"Those rules have served me well," I argued. "So I'll stick with them."

"Until you meet a woman you want to nail who violates one of those rules and the Jensen Lund rule book will go right out the window."

"Wrong. I made those rules my sophomore year of college. I haven't broken a rule yet."

"Never?" Brady said.

"Never."

Walker raised both eyebrows. "No shit?"

"No shit."

"Props for sticking with it, but explain to me where these rules came from," Brady said.

"No single moms became rule number one after I saw what my buddy Bentley went through. He met this chick in class, asked her out, she kept turning him down because she had a kid. He had it bad for her and hounded her until she said yes. Once they got involved, he found out she had an asshole baby daddy and she worked two jobs to stay in school. Then Bentley started missing class to take care of the kid for her. He ended up dropping out. Then she dumped his ass six months later. He went through all that shit for nothing. So I'll pass."