Page 50 of Wild Card

I brought my hands to my face and rubbed my eyes. This couldn’t be happening.

“I hope you told her how bad of an idea that is,” I replied, likely seconds from being kicked out of class. We weren’t being quiet anymore. I didn’t even know how to do so or if I could at this point. I was about to throw a chair if I didn’t get some of these emotions under control.

Elias had talked to Mallory; he’d gone after her. The memory of his cleat going through my hand came back, making me stretch it.

“I told her…but she said she needs this story, even if that means she is dealing with a bad guy. I’ll spare you on what else she said…it wasn’t nice, and it was about you,” Juan added with a smirk.

I started gathering my stuff, tossing it in my backpack.

“Where are you going?”

I leaned toward him before getting up. “To fucking fix this.”

* * *

The lightsin the team house were low as I waded through the halls and stopped at the massive island. Toby, one of the shortstops, was there eating a bowl of cereal. Since it was getting later, there weren’t many players around. Most started their evening festivities around six and didn’t roll back in until around one in the morning.

I knew for sure there was one person in the house who didn’t live by that schedule. Taking the stairs two at a time, I trotted down into the basement and stalked toward the back where my old room used to be, where Elias’s was now.

I knocked politely so maybe he’d assume it was one of his lackeys. A few seconds passed, and I waited…then it swung open and my ex-best friend stood there in a pair of loose shorts and a white t-shirt.

I pushed against the door, forcing him to take a few jumbled steps back.

“Whoa, what the…” His hands went up like he was innocent.

“You laid hands on my brother, and I didn’t end you—consider that a kindness. But if you think you’ll get away with going after Mallory Shaw, you have another thing coming.” I stuck my hands in my pockets, hoping I seemed calm and in control, all while white-hot anger pulsed under my skin at the mere idea of him being close enough to talk to Mallory.

Elias grinned, letting out a small laugh. His thumb came up to stroke his bottom lip before he sank into a chair.

“I know you know about the arrangement I made with Taylor’s dad…or stepdad, Charles Shaw. I know you know, because you started hanging out with his daughters out of the blue.”

I scoffed. Who even gave a flying fuck?

“What does this have to do with you leaving her alone?”

“You think I’m going to sit here and stand by while you move in and take away the opportunity of a lifetime?” He stood, pointing at his chest like he couldn’t believe I’d suggest such a thing.

“I think you’re power hungry and you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. These are real people you’re dealing with.” I slashed my hand toward him, my voice rising a few octaves.

“And real money, Decker. You of all people should know what it’s like to want to care for your family.” He got in my face, and it took all my strength not to fight him. Our coach had forced us to go to therapy after my accident on the field. Rumors had circulated that I’d thrown the pitch so the ball would give him a dead arm. Another rumor said I had reached for Elias’s ankle, trying to trip him, and he accidently caught my hand while steadying himself.

Fucking noise. All of it.

I went to the sessions mandated by Coach, but Elias had made it seem like I had it out for him, so I had to be careful not to engage with anything with him, or else it would just cause more issues. I had a few months left of the season then I’d be done, and my Devils status would be good for a lifetime.

I took a step back, mentally scolding myself to fucking learn the order in which to breathe properly.

“Just stay away from her.” I ducked my head, ready to leave before I did something I would regret, like kill him.

Elias folded his arms, giving me a smirk. “Nah…I think I like this sister better.”

“Your deal doesn’t work like that. You can’t just choose which one to take over half his fortune with.” I knew a little bit of the deal, but not all of it. I just knew he’d needed to be in that room with Taylor that first night and he hadn’t been. Now it looked like I was going after her, and as far as what Scotty had found…it would be a big fucking problem for Elias if Taylor started dating someone else.

“I think you’d be surprised. I think since you tried to go after Taylor, it only seems fair I give Mallory a good shot.”

I was in his face again, and this time there was no way I could keep my fist from flying. I landed one good punch before someone ran into Elias’s room and broke us up.

Three other players were there in an instant, pulling me out.

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