Page 35 of Fight For Me

He had his surgery yesterday. I kept telling myself it was silly to feel so sick all day. He’s going to be fine. And I definitely shouldn’t have been disappointed when Fox informed me Cash and Sam had insisted Wyatt spend the night at their house after he was released from the hospital.

Feeling like that about him is dangerous, I know that. And that knowledge is a big part of the reason I’m now hiding out at my parents’ house. The fact that Wyatt is supposed to be coming back to the condo this evening is not a coincidence.

Nix snaps his fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Alex. You’re being weird.”

I straighten, trying to pull my thoughts away from certain guys who most definitely are not obsessing over me.

“I was just basking in my victory,” I tell him, leaning over to stick the tip of my finger in his ear. As predicted, he lets out an unholy shriek and retaliates by pulling my hair. I’m trying to hold him down so I can tickle him—which is a lot harder than it used to be now that he’s taller than me—when a throat clears in the doorway.

“Isn’t that sweet, babe?” our mom asks. “Our kids are so affectionate with each other.”

“Almost brings a tear to my eye,” Dad says in a choked voice.

“She started it,” Nix says, trying to sit up.

“Of course I did,” I say proudly. “Punk needs to be put in his place sometimes.”

“Very true,” Dad says, coming over to bump his fist against mine. “Well done.”

“Hey!” Nix complains and Dad laughs, ruffling his hair.

“You look pretty,” I say to Mom, who dressed up for their date in a classic little black dress and a pair of blood red stilettos. Pretty is an understatement—my mom is a total smoke show.

“Prettiest girl in the whole world,” Dad says proudly, and Nix pretends to throw up behind the couch cushion.

“Where’d you guys go?” I ask.

Dad rolls his eyes. “Please don’t get your mother started on the restaurant.”

She throws up her hands. “The portion sizes were ridiculous. Who the hell wants to eat a single shrimp on a dime sized glop of polenta?”

“The place has two Michelin stars,” he argues. “It’s supposed to be romantic.”

Mom scowls. “A girl needs food, Levi. Real food. And more than a bite of it.”

He shakes his head, sighing. “That’s why I already placed a Door Dash order. Your cheeseburger will be here in ten minutes.”

I laugh while Mom groans in relief. “This is why I married you,” she says, coming over to wrap her arms around his middle. “Alexandria, don’t settle for a man who doesn’t properly feed you.”

“Noted.”

“Ugh,” Nix mutters, standing as Dad nuzzles into Mom’s neck. “If you’re going to be so disgusting, I’ll be up in my room.”

“He’s going to call a girl,” Mom tells me in a loud stage whisper. “Her name is Brandy and—”

“Mom!” he groans.

“What? She’s very pretty!” She turns back to me. “They went on a date last week. To the frozen yogurt place. Your dad drove them.”

“That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard,” I say, not bothering to hide my laughter.

“I hate all of you,” Nix calls over his shoulder as he leaves the room.

“Guess we’ll give your sister your burger then!” Dad yells after him before turning to me. “I would have ordered you one, but I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“She’s hiding from the cameras!” Nix calls from the stairs, clearly eager to turn the tables on me.

“Brat,” I mutter under my breath as both parents turn their suddenly sharp gazes on me.