The Clinch by Nicole Disney

Author:Nicole Disney [Disney, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781635558210
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2020-12-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

None of us know the first thing about New Mexico, but it doesn’t slow us down. After a quick change of clothes, we’re in the lobby of the hotel copying the location of a Brazilian club the concierge tells us about into our phones and waiting for the valet to pull the cars around. With five of us traveling together, we opted for two, a sensible Ford Escape and a flashy two-seater Brooklyn picked out, a red Maserati convertible.

They pull that around first and hand Brooklyn the keys. She makes eye contact just long enough I think she’s going to ask me to ride with her, but Théo joins her without any indication another option even occurred to him.

“See you over there,” she says.

The Ford pulls up and Leandro, Laila, and I jump in. We follow Brooklyn for a block before she smokes us. She must floor it all the way there because by the time we arrive, she and Théo are already in a VIP booth drinking something with lime on the rim. The music is thumping but not overwhelming. The dance floor is set back from the bar and VIP booths so that we have a view of it but are in our own world. Théo holds up his arms and beams when he sees us. He’s still in sunglasses and leather despite it being in the eighties and dark.

Brooklyn is in the back corner of the wraparound booth with her arms propped on the back. She’s in a red tank top and loose white shorts to her knees. Even in the dim light, I can make out tender patches on her arms and legs where she took punishment, areas that will be purple by tomorrow. Her split eyebrow is sewn shut with four stitches the back-stage doctor did just after the match on site.

Leandro slides in on the other side of Brooklyn, followed by Laila, then me. I’m so glad Laila is here. This would be so much harder without her. I pick up the drink menu, but Brooklyn practically lunges over the table to flatten it out of my hands.

“Don’t even look, Bauer. We’re all having caipirinhas.”

“Cai whats?”

“They’re Brazilian. Here, taste.” She hands her glass to me. “That goes for you too,” she says to Laila. I nod at the bright taste of the drink. “I can do that.” No sooner than I say it, the servers are setting glasses in front of Laila and me anyway.

Laila holds up her glass. “To your win. And many more to come.”

Brooklyn raises her glass back. “To the best team on Earth. Saúde.”

“Saúde.” We repeat the word with questionable success. The Shaws all smile.

“I’ll get you there.” Brooklyn winks.

“And to Eden,” Théo says, holding his glass up again. “I know I gave you a hard time, but you’re the real deal. Welcome to the family.”

His sincerity is touching. “Thank you, Théo.”

“Saúde.”

The music seems to get louder as time passes, but so do we as the drinks start to flow.

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