Relentless Liberation by L.J. Fine Read Free Book Online

disarming.
    “I didn’t grow up in the nicest of neighborhoods. I was kind
of a runt and where I come from if you can’t defend yourself… Well, let’s just
say it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. That was part of the reason for the constant
pounding I took from my brothers. In their own way, they were teaching me how
to fight, to protect myself.”
    Suddenly he grinned. “Then eventually I got bigger. So yeah,
I understand where you’re coming from but here’s a better strategy. You need to
let go of your preconceived ideas and stop giving a shit about how other people
see you. They don’t matter, so who gives a flying fuck what they think?”
    “But your opinion matters, doesn’t it?” she snapped.
    Somberly, he shook his head. “Only to me. It only matters to
me.”
    Before she could reply, Chloe and Brian returned to the
table, laughing and out of breath. The tension between Tyler and Mina was so
thick it was a wonder her two carefree friends didn’t choke on it.
    By this time Tyler had finished his beer, so he mumbled
something about needing another one and left the table before either Chloe or
Brian could pick up on anything amiss. They sat down and Chloe animatedly
started in on a story involving one of the fighters and his unfortunate lack of
rhythm but Mina was only half listening. She kept replaying Tyler’s words in
her head.
    Once again, he’d managed to completely surprise her and once
again she found herself realizing that the actual man was nothing like her
fantasy man. Grudgingly, she had to admit that the real man was so much better,
had so much more depth than she’d given him credit for and if at all possible
her admiration for him grew.
    Inwardly she sighed. It didn’t matter how much she liked or
admired him. Now that they’d had their little spat—or whatever the hell that
was—she wouldn’t be surprised if he avoided her for the rest of the night. It
wasn’t like this was a date or anything.
    Admitting that she’d adequately pushed him away, she forced
herself to focus on what Chloe was saying to her. In the end, it was probably
better this way anyway. She still didn’t have a clue what it was he’d wanted
from her in the first place, but keeping him at arm’s length was the wisest
choice.
    And so it was that when she’d finally forced him out of her thoughts,
he came back to the table with a bottle of tequila and two shot glasses. Deftly
flipping them up on the table and filling them to the brim, he slid one to her.
“Drink up,” he ordered.
    Craning her neck to gaze up at him, she could feel the
bemusement coming off her in waves. He felt it too, she knew, but it seemed he
didn’t care as he sat down next to her once again.
    “Our conversation was getting too heavy. And you remember
what I said to you about you needing to loosen up?” He nudged the shot glass
closer to her.
    “You were the one who got us on such a serious topic to
begin with.”
    “I know and now I’m changing the subject. Do some shots with
me.” When she eyed the tequila dubiously, his stern expression turned playful.
“Do I need to play the birthday card? Because I’ll tell you right now that I
will. I have no shame.”
    “That’s a fact.” Brian laughed, bringing Mina’s attention to
the fact that there were two other people sitting at the table with them. Chloe
was regarding her with a raised eyebrow, a knowing smile on her lips and a
challenge in her eyes.
    Mina raised an eyebrow right back at her. Seemed like Chloe
and Tyler were on the same side after all. Then she thought screw it . It
had been too long and she was entitled to let loose and have a little fun every
now and again. Besides, she didn’t think she’d be able to persuade Team “Let’s
Corrupt Mina” into letting her be. So with a lift to her chin, she picked up
the glass and tossed the shot back.
    It had been too long and immediately the taste had
her gagging. Tyler laughed and handed her his beer to chase it down.