Page 687 of The Bonding Games: Part 1

Tiger gasps dramatically, slapping a hand over his heart. “You wound me. I’m much too advanced for that.”

A single brow is arched in response. “Really?”

“Ye—”

The wind leaves Tiger in an audible “oomph” as his brother’s fist slams into his gut.

He groans. “Fuck, Scotty . . . why’d you have to hit so hard? I think you just deformed my intestines.” Slumping to the floor in a dramatic heap, he adds, “Permanently.”

Scotty rolls his eyes and reaches down to grab a hold of his brother’s bicep, hauling him to his feet, Tiger’s high-pitched screech bouncing off the walls as he does. “You cannot just manhandle me, you wench—”

“Tiger,” Scotty cuts him off. “Be serious here. The first live recording is in less than thirty minutes.”

He pouts, pushing his bottom lip out so much I wonder if it hurts to pull that face.

Scotty fails to hide his smile of fond amusement, even as he raises his brows as if daring his brother to disobey.

The organ in my chest squeezes, and I bring a gloved hand up to press over the area, as if I could soothe the ache with anything other than the kind of connection they have.

I’d do anything to have someone other than my parents look at me with such affection. I love my mum and dad, and I’m more than grateful for them, but I want someone to care about me who’s not obligated to.

A low voice I’d recognise anywhere yanks me violently back to myself, and I turn to stone, all the colour leaching from my face as I hear those thumping feet approaching.

“Little Alby . . .” he sing-songs. “Whatcha doin’?”

Oh god.

Before I can even think my options through, I shove into the room in front of me and slam the door closed behind me, dropping back on it and gasping for breath with wild eyes as my heart gallops at full speed. I think the click that sounds out might be an automatic lock, but that hardly calms me.

Troy’s fist banging on the taalk at my back is muffled, but a whimper escapes me at the thought of him getting to me after I just disrespected him so badly.

Lids clamping shut, I beg the universe to open up and swallow me whole.

“Hey, are you okay?”

My eyes pop back open, darting to the left to see two matching sets of piercing blue stares boring into me.

Shit, I almost forgot about them.

“U-umm . . . yes?” I squeak out.

I jolt as Troy starts yelling brutal threats through the door. The shaking of my limbs becomes violent.

I can’t tell which is winning here: my humiliation or my terror.

Scotty’s nose wrinkles in disgust, and I shrink into myself.

Except that look’s not for me.

“What the fuck is that asshole’s problem?”

“Cooties?” Tiger suggests

Scotty shoots an exasperated look his way.

“Get your skinny ass out here, Twig!”

Tiger’s brows disappear beneath his wavy hair. “This bitch— Can you believe him?” he directs his incredulous expression his brother’s way. “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum is body shaming!”