Claire left for the kitchen, and returned holding a large garbage can. She carried it in one hand, picking up the splinters of wood that covered the floor with the other.

“Have fun with that,” Jared smiled, taking my hand. “We’ll be at the oak tree at first light.”

“Oh?” I said with a smile.

Jared glanced at his little brother. “You’re coming, too.”

“I am?” Bex said.

A wary frown touched Bex’s face as his eyes darted between Jared and me. I could tell that he was hesitant to be excited. “Why? Isn’t that, like, your breeding ground?”

Jared rolled his eyes. “I want to see what Nina is capable of.”

“Sweet!” Bex said, clapping his hands together once. “You ready to spar, Sis?” His hands rubbed together.

A broad smile widened my face. “Oh. It’s on.”

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Matches

Jared and I walked upstairs. I went through the motions of my nightly routine in a daze, trying to concede to this new reality. Knowing I had a lot to prove in the morning, it was difficult to sleep. Finally I forced my mind to slow down, and managed to close my eyes for a few hours before the sun breeched the horizon.

Once my eyes fluttered, there would be no falling back asleep; no sleeping in. I was wide awake, and my body screamed to get out of bed and get to the oak tree. I didn’t bother with a shower, knowing I would be sweaty and covered in dust and dirt within the hour. An oversized t-shirt of Jared’s barely stretched over my belly, but it would suffice. I was really showing now, and the thought crossed my mind at how ridiculous I would look, swollen and awkward, while Bex attacked me with gorgeous precision from every angle.

Jared and I met downstairs, where the others were still cleaning. The only person not smiling and joking about the night before was Ryan.

“What?” Jared said, smug. “You don’t think Nina can take Bex?”

Ryan pointed at me, but looked at Jared. “She’s still pregnant.”

Bex laughed once. “Don’t worry. Bean’s tougher than I am.”

Claire thought I should start with Ryan, however. Ryan held out his hands. “What the hell is this? Beat The Shit Out Of Ryan Week?”

“I didn’t think you’d mind, since you’re always insisting upon getting yourself hospitalized,” Claire said.

Ryan’s face screwed into disgust. “That was uncalled for.”

“The truth hurts, baby.”

He smiled. “If you’re going to talk to me like that, you can insult me all day long.”

Claire pulled her car keys from her pocket, and then pulled on Ryan’s hand. “I meant that you’re a baby. It wasn’t a term of endearment.”

“Yeah, right.”

Jared squeezed my hand. “The oak tree it is. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Does it matter?”