Tempting Fate by Kylie Hillman

Author:Kylie Hillman [Hillman, Kylie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DyMi Ink Pty Ltd
Published: 2016-07-27T05:00:00+00:00

***

“Hey, Mads. Wait for us.” Benji’s raised voice drifts across the hospital parking lot. My brothers, Mik, and I all turn and wait for my chronically late sibling to run to catch up. Plastering a smile on my face, I pretend that I don’t see how Joel’s expression turns dark at the long-legged stride that Benji uses to close the distance between us with improbable speed. My twin might’ve been the star footballer, but Joel was always a better runner, so to see Benji running with ease, despite his knee reconstruction, must be a horrible reminder of what he’s lost.

Three days out of rehab, and he seems to be doing well. His face is flushed when he comes to a stop near us, contentment radiating from each pore. He holds up his hand to high-five Lachie, and it’s then that I see he was dragging poor Lacey behind him. She folds in half, hands on her knees, and tries to catch her breath.

“That was an epic dash you made there,” I laugh, rubbing her back. “Although, I’d consider some time in the gym if you want to keep up with Mr. Athlete over there.”

Jerking my thumb toward Benji, I catch a glimpse of a serious conversation between Mik, Joel, and Benji going down. Lacey distracts me with a finger to the belly, “We can’t all be lean, mean, fighting machines.”

Rolling my eyes at her, I strain to overhear what’s being said. I can barely make out anything, except for Thomas Taylor, Maverick’s, and war. My subtle eavesdropping is ruined when Matty and Lachie start roughhousing and Mik stops talking to intervene.

“Let’s head inside,” he proclaims. Turning to the two annoyances he has just separated, he growls. “You two give us any trouble in there, I’m gonna kick your ass. Hear me?”

“Yeah,” they mumble in unison. Joel becomes overly interested in the ground beneath his feet, however, I can see him trying not to laugh. His reaction sets me off, my need to giggle made worse when I make eye contact with Lacey, who’s also barely holding on.

Benji, of course, has no such worry. Filter-less and feckless, he nudges Mik with his shoulder and teases him. “Yes, Dad. Whatever you say, Dad.”

Mik fixes him with a glare that means business and this time I do laugh. I know this look; the narrowed gaze, the thinned out, tightly pressed together lips, and the way he runs one hand through his hair all mean one thing. Benji’s about to be put in his place.

“See that cut you’re wearing?” Mik enquires in a flat tone. Benji looks down at the piece of leather that’s adorning him, then meets Mik’s eyes with a questioning gaze and nods. “That means that I’m not your childhood friend at the moment. Hell, I’m not even a bloody acquaintance. That cut means that I’m your fucking President and my word is gospel and above sanction unless I’m breaking our constitution. Most of all, it means that your dumbass need to wisecrack isn’t appreciated.

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