Page 77 of Pucking Grey

“Grey!” Ace pounds on my door.

“What the fuck do you want?” I mutter from my desk where I’m studying.

He opens the door and says, “Get ready. We’re leaving soon.”

“What?” I scoff. “You said you weren’t fucking going.”

“I changed my mind. Get your shit together and study on the way. I’ll drive.”

“No.” Does he not remember what happened this morning when Matt came over? I stand from my desk, feeling heat travel to my fingertips.

“Get ready!” Ace snaps.

“Hey!” I shout as he storms down the hallway. “I’m not fucking going.”

Ace pauses at the kitchen and shakes his head. “Why the fuck not? Do you know who’s going to be at this party?”

“I fucking told you why. I don’t need the fucking drama with Matt.”

He lifts his arms up. “You’re worried about the fucking girl, Maddie? Dude, come on.”

“It’s her brother’s place. She probably wants nothing to do with me, so I’m not fucking going and stirring anything up. Count me out on this one. Call it… I’m putting the team first.”

“Fuck it. I’m leaving. You have the whole house to yourself.”

I nod and watch him walk out the door.

When I return to my desk, I can’t fucking study right now. I open up my phone and stare at Maddie’s name again. I don’t know what to text her, or if I even should.

Chapter 24

My brother has introduced me to a dozen new people. And he’s given a dozen more reintroductions because nobody recognizes me with this new hair.

When the Honey Badgers start filtering into the party, I am hoping to see Greyson. I know it’s a long shot, but I hold my breath anyway. My hopes run high when I see Ace and Knox. And then my gut sinks when the door shuts and there’s no Greyson.

My eyes scan the crowd again to make sure I didn’t miss him. And then I catch the glares from most of the team.

“Maddie?” Matt says, walking up to me. He brings me into a hug, and my eyes shoot to Sydney to save me. I don’t want to be wrapped in his arms right now. When he releases me, he says, “Holy shit, I barely recognized you. Your hair looks great. Smells good too.”

I stare at him with a straight face, mad that he’s acting like we’re friends.

Knox says, “Hey, Mads.”

The rest of the team kindly says hi to me, and I understand given that I’m a Wilder and this is my brother’s house. Everyone is suddenly respectful and attentive. All their eyes are on me as I grin at Sydney.What the hell is happening?

I turn to Matt, ignoring the guys. “Where’s your stepbrother?”

The entire team freezes, looking at Matt to watch his reaction.

Matt laughs. “My stepbrother?”

Knox says, “This fucker told him not to come tonight.” Ace hits Knox in the shoulder. I can always count on Knox to be straightforward with me, and I’m grateful.

I glance at Matt, watching him closely. “You uninvited him, Matt?” I mutter. “It’s my brother’s party, and he personally invited Grey.”

I look at Knox, hoping he’ll give me the answer.

Knox says, “Matt wants to get back with you.”

---