Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You, ah, asked if working out with the team was what I wanted.”
“I did.”
“It is.”
Coach cocks his head. “Not sure I believe you, Wilde.”
I know why he says it. Because I’m only fifty percent on board with the plan. Part of me thinks it would be humiliating to return to train with a bunch of high school kids. The other part craves the familiarity of it. Being on a team with my pack brothers, who I would kill or die for. Being coached by an alpha wolf who would have my back no matter what went down.
This was what I missed at Duke. I had teammates, but they were human. I was an imposter, trying to fit in. Hiding what I really am. They liked me. I had buddies. But I could never be myself. I was always on guard to not let my secret out.
It fucking sucked.
I shove my hands in my jeans pocket. “I want to work with you.” That’s the first honest thing I’ve said.
Jamison’s expression softens. “I’d be honored to work with you, Wilde.”
Guilt twists in my solar plexus at that. I definitely don’t deserve that kind of response from him. Not after I took his gift of football and wiped my ass with it.
“Yeah?” My throat closes around the word.
“I’ll tell you what. I could use an assistant coach. You had leadership skills when you were team captain. Skills that you seem to have squandered. I’d like to see them return.”
“Fuck, Coach, really?”
His look hardens. “Language, Woodward.”
“Sorry, Coach.”
“You’re going to have to pull your head out of your ass, though.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I won’t have you on the field if you’re not pulling your weight. That means if you do anything at all to drag down the morale or honor of this team, you’re banished. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you using drugs, Wilde?”
I grind my teeth. It’s a valid question, considering the circumstances. I could be using drugs. A shifter would always pass a drug test because we metabolize so quickly.
“No, sir.”
“Do you have any in your possession–I don’t just mean on your person, I mean anywhere here in Wolf Ridge?”
“No, sir.”
“And you’ll keep it that way.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Did you bring a change of clothes?”
I nod. I have a gym bag in the Jeep.
“Get changed. See you out on the field.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“Don’t let me down, Woodward.”
“I won’t, sir.”
The bell rings as I’m walking out. I find Rayne slouched against the Jeep, looking uncomfortable.
It bothers the fuck out of me. Maybe that’s why I’m a dick to her. I want to see more of that fire and less of the fading flower.
“I’m staying for practice. Looks like I can’t take you to get your driver’s license until Saturday. And you’ll have to wait for your ride, Runt.”
She pushes off from the Jeep. “I guess it worked out with Coach Jamison?”
I should thank her. She’s the one who helped me crack the riddle. But I’m feeling dickish, so I just frown at her. “It worked. Sit here in the Jeep and wait.” I unlock the door.
“For two hours? No, thank you. I’ll find another way home.”
All I can think of is that human bastard, Lincoln. I grab her elbow and yank her back to face me. “The hell you will,” I growl, lowering my head to get eye-to-eye with her. “I told you to get in the Jeep and wait for me. Now, do as you’re told.”
She draws her hand up between us and slowly unfurls her middle finger. “And I say, fuck. You.”
“The runt has a death wish,” Abe Oakley scoffs, walking past us.
I drop Rayne’s elbow like it’s a lump of hot coal. It’s one thing to manhandle her at home. Here at school, I’m setting a standard for how she can be treated. I’m a mentor now, as Coach just pointed out.
“Get your ass out on the field, Oakley,” I snarl.
Abe’s head jerks up in surprise at my tone. He’s known me his entire life. His brother is one of my best friends, so I’m sure he thinks he gets special treatment from me.
He looks like he’s about to argue, but then thinks better of it. “All right.” He shrugs and jogs away.
“You call her runt again, and I’ll smash your fucking face in,” I say to his retreating back. Shifters hear everything, so I know he didn’t miss it.
“Oh that’s ripe,” Rayne mutters, rolling her eyes.
“And you get your ass in the Jeep.”
I don’t know why I’m insisting. I just sort of love the idea of making her wait for me for hours like a good little runt. I also don’t mind the idea of her watching me out on that field. Or rubbing those tasty thighs over the seats to fill my Jeep with her clean spring scent.
But she’s back to her defiant self. She lifts that little chin at me, eyes flashing. “Didn’t you hear? I said, go fuck yourself.” She whirls on her heel and walks away.