Free The Fighter's Stubborn Lover (The Burton Brothers Series Book 2) by Leslie North Page B

your turn. I want you to think about something for a moment. You see fighting as very dangerous, but what if Dustin took up riding a motorcycle?”
    Crossing her arms, Avery shook her head. “You wear helmets for that. And leathers. And that’s beside the point since he doesn’t ride a motorcycle—and other drivers aren’t generally trying to hit you!”
    “Uh…” Dustin scrubbed a hand over his shaved head. “I’ve been riding for the last few months. And helmets don’t always protect you.”
    She stared at him, her hands clenched tight around her pie plate and fork. “Where did you get a motorcycle?”
    “From Beck. Mason’s brother.” Dustin rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s been letting me borrow his to get around. It’s easier to park and uses a lot less gas.”
    Stomach knotting and chest tight, Avery shook her head. “Do you want to die? Is that what this is about?”
    Dustin pushed to his feet. “No, what I’d like to do is live my own damn life! Every time I try you pull me back. Oh, Dustin, I’m so afraid. Oh, Dustin, you’re so young. Oh, Dustin…well, I’m tired of hearing it. That’s why I split.”
    Avery pulled in a breath. She brushed at her eyes. Her chest tightened even more and she put down the pie. “Dustin, I wish you would think about your own future—about where you’ll be in ten years, assuming you survive.”
    “You mean I might end up like Mason?” Dustin waved at Mason.
    Mason held up his fork. “Hey, watch it.”
    Ignoring him, Dustin focused on his sister. “Might end up a trainer maybe? Or one of best fighters around?”
    Avery narrowed her eyes. “What if I make you a deal?”
    Wary now, Dustin glanced from Avery to Mason. With a shrug, Mason stepped back. Avery pressed her palms against her thighs. This was a huge risk, but she had to do something. Talking with Dustin wasn’t getting her anywhere. “What deal?” Dustin asked.
    “How about I spend a week here watching you train? I’ll…I’ll learn everything I can about this sport you seem to love so much. And if I can do that for you, then will you do one thing for me?”
    Dustin crossed his arms over his chest. He’d gotten so muscular that his T-shirt barely fit. “Stop fighting?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “No. No , I can see that’s not going to happen. But…but I think, if you promise you’ll listen to Mason, and that you’ll never fight in those underground fights, or get into a match that is going to be too much for you, and—”
    “Great, you want me to—”
    “Hold on.” Mason stepped up and put a hand on Dustin’s shoulder. “Your sister is trying to meet you half way here.”
    “Oh, yeah, by telling me what I can and can’t do.”
    “Come on, Dustin. You know you have no interest in anything but the MMA and official fights. That’s an easy one to promise, right?”
    Reluctantly, Dustin nodded.
    Mason let out a breath. This wasn’t going to be easy, but he thought he could see a bridge between these two now. “Great. Good. And I like that part about promising to listen to me about picking fights.” He grinned and slapped Dustin’s arm. “That’s what a trainer is for, right?”
    “Okay.” Dustin grumbled the word, but he nodded.
    “As to the rest, I think that’s enough for now. The main thing is to keep talking. Avery, if you get worried, will you come talk to me first, not Dustin? He needs to concentrate on training right now.”
    She bit her lower lip, but she nodded.
    “And Dustin, if you start feeling hounded, will you agree not to just bail on us and cut and run? That’s the reaction of a kid, not a fighter. And I don’t want to see it again. Got it?”
    Dustin nodded and a blush stained his cheeks. “Yeah, sorry, I was just feeling—”
    “Save the excuses.” Mason waved at his pie. “Now eat up. That’s the last dessert you’re having until after your fight.”
    Avery sucked in a sharp breathe. Mason turned to her, but she was already on