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Eric's POV

"She's going to be the death of me," Lucas said exasperatedly and drank from his water bottle. "I swear, so is Jami."

Eric watched his best friend as he spoke to Perseus.

He was definitely right about Jami, that kid could cause more trouble than he was worth, but Skylar? He only hoped she wasn't too bad. Plus, Eric would be lying if he hadn't been surprised to find out that Skylar was in fact, a girl.

He felt stupid at first, but when he mulled it over in his head, he realized that although Lucas had probably done so more with his brothers, he'd never really mentioned that Skylar all that often.

Eric had only heard them mention how tough Skylar was, how funny, how much she was like them. He'd expected a twin-like figure of Lucas's younger brother, not a drop-dead gorgeous, bright green-eyed girl.

Lucas had most definitely not been lying, when he'd compared them, the two siblings were quite possibly the most flirtatious people he'd ever encountered. Clearly, since she'd basically professed her attraction to him just an hour earlier.

"Hot, damn, would I love a piece of that."

Had she not realized that the entire tattoo shop had been able to hear her? Or had she not cared? And what had he, himself, been thinking? Smiling at her like that? Had he not cared either?

No, he definitely cared. Skylar was his best friend's sister. Fucking her wasn't an option. Hell, even be-friending her likely wasn't an option.

"Just wait," Perseus assured his older brother as he lifted the weight above his head. "She'll be at the top of the list before you know it. Hungover or not, she's still a Smith," he grunted. "And we're always on top."

The image that appeared in Eric's mind when he thought about Skylar always being on top was not one that made him worthy of calling himself Lucas's best friend.

"Hot, damn, would I love a piece of that." Eric swore he could still feel those gorgeous green eyes as they had skimmed his body.

"I hope you're right, man," Lucas took his place on the bench. "I'm going to have an aneurysm if I find out that one of those little boys she was with earlier is fucking around with her though. She just got here, and she needs to focus on training, not boys. I'll be damned if I let Jami encourage her."

A disgusted look covered Perseus's face as he replied, "unfortunately it's not just boys we have to worry about."

Not just boys? Eric needed a shower. A very long, very cold shower.

Lucas removed his hands from the bar above his head and covered his face, mumbling curse words into them.

"So, did you decide where we're having dinner on Sunday?" Perseus picked his nails.

Lucas did a few reps before responding. "Think we can convince her to just let us sit together in the cafeteria?"

Perseus snorted.

"Fuck, you're right." Lucas agreed, "Sky would throw a fit."

"And Jami has two roommates, who are both very social," Perseus explained. "So, although he'd be easy to agree, his place is a pigsty, and there is always a million people around."

"Well, I can't do it at my place," Lucas sat up and stretched his arms above his head.

Eric noticed the lingering eyes of the few females that were in the large training room and forced the jealousy he felt back down. Eric knew that 98 percent of Dauntless hated him, and the only reason they paid him attention is because he was a leader. All the girls that he'd slept with were trashy, only concerned with their status. It wasn't fair for him to be jealous of someone like Lucas.

"And I can't do it at mine," Perseus replied to his brother.

Eric thought about Skylar's suggestion earlier that day.

Fuck it.

"Do it at mine."

Both of their heads snapped in Eric's direction, staring at him as if they'd heard him wrong.

"What did you say?" Perseus questioned.

"I said," Eric folded his arms, "Do. It. At. Mine."

"Um," Lucas scrunched the water bottle in his hands, "you sure, man? I don't want to put you out like that. I'm sure I could convince my girl to do her little girly-gathering somewhere else."

Eric knew he wouldn't though, Meranda was a bitch. He still didn't get why Lucas was even interested in her, let alone why he let her move in with him. She wasn't even all that attractive. His best friend could do much better.

"I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't sure." Eric glared at his best friend. "My place is big enough, and it's much cleaner than any of yours."

"Well, then it's settled!" Perseus jumped on the opportunity.

Lucas kept his gaze on Eric, still unconvinced it was a good idea.

"I'm not cooking though," Eric added more weight and took Lucas's place on the bench.

Lucas stood, then nodded and folded his arms while staring at his best friend.

Eric ignored his questioning gaze. Fucking Candors, always thought they could read you.

"Skylar can cook," Perseus explained. "Mom was always bad at it, so after dad and Shade died, she took over."

Lucas tensed beside his brother. Eric knew that their father had died when they were younger, but he didn't know how. He also didn't know who Shade was. Hadn't that been the capitalized word on Skylar's tattoo? Did they had another brother?

Eric didn't ask. Lucas would tell him if he wanted. If not, it wasn't his business.

"I'm also not paying for the food." Eric did a few reps before continuing. "You lot are. And I expect dessert."

Eric hated himself. The dessert he was thinking about when he'd said that wasn't in the form of food, but his friend's sister.

"Hot, damn, would I love a piece of that."

Lucas smiled, finally. "You earn more points than both of us combined each payday, man. Also, if you keep eating sweets the way you do, you're going to lose your girlish figure. Then you'll be known as the chubby-leader, and not the ruthless-leader."

Eric shot him a glare.

Perseus laughed at the two friends. "Perfect! We can tell Skylar tomorrow; she'll be more than thrilled. Maybe she'll even listen to what you tell her from now on, boss," he punched his older brother in the shoulder lightly.

Lucas pushed his brother away. "Do you think I can convince her to start wearing sweaters all the time?" he pondered. "No more of those tight little tank tops like the one she was wearing earlier?"

Eric inwardly cursed. Her tits weren't all that big, but they were big enough. And perky. They had looked great in that shirt. If he wasn't going to be allowed to play with her, he should at least be able to look at her.

"You know what?" Perseus said, "if we help her cook dinner, she might just agree to that. Or at least the no tight-tank top thing."

Eric wondered what she'd agree to do if he cooked her dinner by himself, but shook the thought off quickly.

"That settles it then," Lucas said dismissively and grabbed his shirt and water bottle. "I've got to get going, I'll see you guys in the morning."

"Yeah me too," Perseus agreed and wiped his brow with his shirt. Yet again, girls glanced in their direction. The Smith's were all well known for their looks, and Eric couldn't help but hate them just a little for it. "I promised Zack I'd stop by to talk about something before heading back to my apartment."

And with that, the two of them left their leader to his thoughts. And by god, if he wasn't thankful no one could read them, because he had started to imagine how great his friend's youngest sibling would look without a tank top or a sweater covering her. He wondered if she'd squirm if he were to kiss her ribs, where she'd gotten the tattoo she'd shown her brother.

Fuck. No. Eric knew he wasn't allowed to think like this. Skylar was off limits, no matter how hot she was, or how flirtatious she was. Besides the fact that she was his best friends baby sister, she was also an initiate.

Shortly after the two brother had left, Eric stormed out of the training room and made his way quickly back to his apartment.

Unfortunately, the cold shower he thought would help did nothing to rid the thoughts racking his mind.

Her voice was ringing in his ears.

"Hot, damn, would I love a piece of that."

Hot damn, would HE love a piece of her.

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