Consumed by Truths (Truth or Lies 6)

“October first?” Enzo guesses.

Beckett shakes his head. “September twenty-fifth.”

Enzo throws up his hands. “Fine, you win. Next game is mine though.”

Beckett slaps Enzo on the back. “Don’t be a sore loser.”

Enzo growls.

I grin, watching the two of them banter back and forth. I know they both wish they had gotten to grow up as actual brothers. Enzo grew up with Langston and Zeke as brothers. But I know it would have been different to have an ally living under the same roof.

Even if Beckett would have turned out differently. Even if he became more sinister and serious like Enzo instead of lighthearted and relaxed like he currently is, I know they both would have enjoyed that. I grip my stomach. I can’t wait to see what life will be like for our twins.

“What is round two?” Enzo says, needing a win.

I decide I can’t mess with them anymore, and I need to actually test Beckett’s abilities for all of our sakes.

I grab a bucket of empty beer cans and set ten up in a row on the railing.

“First one to shoot five wins. And you have to start with an unloaded gun,” I say, knowing I’m pushing Beckett, but he needs to be pushed. I know Enzo has plans to fight Felix after the birth. And I want to ensure Beckett is ready if he decides to join him.

Enzo hands Beckett a gun and a box of bullets. Beckett sets the box down on the table. Enzo leaves his own gun in his pants, but takes a couple of bullets from the box and lays them on the table in front of him.

“Go!” I shout.

Enzo is calm and relaxed as he takes the bullets and carefully loads his gun.

Beckett is in a frenzy. He's trying to move quickly to make up time, which only makes him go slower.

Enzo rattles off five shots before Beckett even gets his gun loaded.

Beckett frowns.

“Again,” he says.

Enzo nods and puts his gun on the table.

Beckett does the same.

“Go!” I shout

again, after setting up five new cans for Enzo.

This time Beckett gets his gun loaded before Enzo gets off his shots.

“Again,” Beckett says, more determined.

I line the cans up again. “Go.”

Beckett takes a deep breath and then matches Enzo’s speed loading the bullets.

I grin. Maybe he can do this with some practice.

They both start firing at the same time. Enzo hits his five cans, Beckett only hits one.

“If I knew you weren’t any better of a shot than Kai, then I wouldn’t have offered to compete against you,” Enzo jokes.

“Hey! I’m a better shot than you. My turn,” I say, getting up and walking over to take the gun from Enzo.