Page 96 of Monstrous Serpent

Jenkins pulls away from me so fast that he nearly trips over his own feet. Atlas bursts into a fit of laughter, snorting every time he tries to inhale. Of course, Jenkins gets pissed and kicks him in the shins.

Atlas grunts, hopping on one foot. “Ow, that hurt.”

“Then shut up.”

“What, are you embarrassed by us? Too bad.” Atlas turns to the family, smiling widely as he waves.

The kid’s eyes go wide, both brows lifting high. “Oh, shit!”

Mr. Jenkins glares at his younger son. “Davis!”

“I know, five dollars into the swear jar. But they’re Serpents.” Davis raises his fists. “Get away from my brother.”

I stare at the boy. He’s small. Weak. Useless. But he’s defending his brother as if he can do something. Same way Garrett did when we were younger.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, sweat beading along my forehead.

A hand lands on my shoulder, squeezing. Atlas presses the side of his body against mine. “Want an autograph, baby Jenkins?”

“I’m not a baby!”

Jenkins pushes between us, huffing. “Can we just go?”

“Aw, Little J, don’t be rude.” Atlas holds his hand out to Mrs. Jenkins. “I’m Atlas Trembley. Nice to meet you.”

She smiles and shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you as well.”

“You boys came to watch the game?” Mr. Jenkins places a hand on his younger son’s shoulder.

I nod. “Yes, sir.”

Davis places his hand on his hips. “More like spying. Doesn’t matter, you’re still gonna lose, and my brother is still going to kick your ass.”

Atlas snorts. “Uh, excuse me. I win all our fights.”

Jenkins drops his bag on the ground. “Like hell you do.”

Not sure what’s worse, the two dumbasses arguing or Davis Jenkins smiling so wide over the two of them.

I grunt. “Save it for the ice.”

Davis pulls out his phone, fingers tapping the screen, then he holds it out. “Cody will kick your ass just like he kicked Nakagawa’s.”

Mr. Jenkins drags a hand over his face. “Davis, stop with the cursing.”

Atlas looks at the screen and huffs. “That’s a crap angle.” He pulls out his phone. “Check this out.”

Davis grabs the phone. “This is better than mine.” He looks up at Atlas. “Why did you take a video of my brother’s fight? Wait, are you friends?”

My heart thumps.

Atlas shrugs. “Yup.”

Davis’s mouth drops open, then he turns to his brother. “You’re friends with the enemy?”

“Un-fucking-believable.” Jenkins takes the phone from his little brother and shoves it into Atlas’s chest. “Anyway, see you around.”

Every muscle in my body tenses.