Page 153 of Rebound
“My life in your hands, Ford.”
He takes my arm and turns me, leading me forward. It’s a strange feeling, not being able to see. It’s even stranger to trust someone to guide me and trust them not to mislead me. “As flattered as I am, I don’t want the responsibility of telling Lavinia that something bad has happened to you.”
“Is something bad going to happen to me?”
“Depends.” He doesn’t add more to it, and I start to worry a little. I’m ready to take off the blindfold when Ford comes to a stop and knocks on a door.
There’s a metallic sound as someone opens it and Ford pushes me forward. The door closes behind us, blocking the chill outside.
“Why the fuck is it dark?” Ford asks.
“We weren’t sure if Roman would agree to the blindfold,” someone says. I think it’s Holden.
Someone bumps into something and cries out. “Fuck, my foot.”
“Why are you naked?” Someone else asks.
“It’s hot in here!” I’m sure this is Reese because he’s the only one who habitually takes off his shirt when there’s no reason to do so. I’ve heard the guys discussing it and the consensus is he does it to show off his body.
“At least this is well organized,” I comment.
“Well, it would’ve been if these guys were capable of organizing themselves,” Ford says behind me. There’s more shuffling and crying out and then my blindfold is yanked off my head. I open my eyes, blinking rapidly to adjust to the brightness.
We’re in a back room of some sorts. There are crates packed along the walls and shelves stacked with alcohol in one half of the room.
The other area, where we’re standing, probably serves as an office. It’s separated from the rest by only a glass wall. In front of me stand the Titans; Drew, Reese, Holden, Kai, and Ford.
“Get on your knees,” Ford demands.
“Not happening,” I say. “I only get on my knees for one person and she’s in New York right now.”
Drew makes a disgusted face. “That’s a fucking image I’ll never be able to get out of my head.”
“This will be a lot quicker if you do as you’re told,” Holden says. “On your knees.”
I take a small step back. “Okay, I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t want any part of this. I’m going to leave now and we’re going to pretend none of this ever happened.”
Kai steps closer, his eyes beseeching. “It’s not anything bad, I promise. It’s a weird little thing we do and it’s completely harmless.”
I roll my eyes and exhale loudly. The only reason I stay is because Lavinia would want me to. She agreed to stay married to me so I can be a part of the Titans.
We’ve come a long way from that Las Vegas casino and not in distance. I can’t imagine letting Lavinia leave at the end of the season as per the terms of our agreement.
“If anything weird happens, Lavinia will be hearing about it,” I say.
“Do you tell your wife everything?” Reese scoffs.
“Of course.” I get down on my knees.
FORTY-SIX
ROMAN
There’s this ridiculous phrase I’ve never been a fan of, “beggars can’t be choosers.” I’m forced to appreciate it as I watch Drew raise a hockey stick like it’s a scepter and come toward me. The next time I decide I want friends, I’m going to add that I want those friends to be normal.
Holden steps up next to Drew and clears his throat, before loudly stating, “Roman, state your name for the record.”
I look around the office, at the dust gathered in the corner of a wall, the worn leather sofa, the coat rack that’s seen better days. “What record? And who’s keeping track of it?”
