Page 43 of Bad Wolf

“Yeah, it can be really flexible for now and you only put in the time the administrative duties take. Some things will need to be prioritized with a quick turnaround, others will be project type tasks.”

This is so amazing, and I get giddy as ideas start to swarm as to how I can be helpful and what they’d really need from me, while she continues to speak.

Anna is mid-sentence when the little bell rings and the doorway fills, blocking out any of the blue-tinted daylight that was filtering through.

I look up and my breath catches in my lungs. My brain fritzes and fizzles. My heart practically leaps out of my chest.

Knox.

AndTroy.

Anna’s eyes bulge out of their sockets when she sees them, and then remembers herself, and waves them over.

I stand up, the chair I was sitting on hitting the herringbone-patterned floor with a crash. The lunch rush was over long ago, and we’re now the only table left occupied, so the clatter makes Jenna jump out of her skin with a yelp. She spins around to see what all the commotion is about.

My gaze ping-pongs from one gorgeous blond to the other, the love of my life and the most loyal friend I ever had.

“Troy,” his name comes out like gravel, my mouth going impossibly dry at seeing them both together, and time stands still.

I mean, like,still.

“What can I get you, boys?” Jenna eventually says to them, trying to cut through the tension that’s filled the bakery.

I have to keep my feet from moving. From running over to him and flinging myself into his arms. Arms that would always catch me. Arms that would hold me close and tight.

The safest place in this world.

Knox unclenches a fist, absently raising it to his chest and rubbing at his left pec. His gaze never leaving mine. His eyes swirl with pain and his cheek twitches. I hold my breath waiting for him to say something, anything.

But it’s Jenna again, “This sweet tea cake is straight outta the mamas’ recipe book. Changed nothin’, it’s perfect as is,” she smiles sweetly, but it turns strained and then finally a little demented the longer she holds it.

Troy’s eyes glance over at the cake proudly displayed at the front of the yellow section, but then flits to Knox to see what he’s going to do.

Without a word, Knox turns around and strides back out into the miserable day.

“Knox, can we please talk? Just for a minute?” I beg while he’s still in earshot, but he ignores me completely. Troy too.

CHAPTERELEVEN

WREN

I’m notsure if this is a good idea.

The way Knox’s face fell when he saw me with Anna and Jenna two days ago made my stomach plummet to the floor. He looked hurt, but this was a new pain, like seeing them with me was a total slap in the face.

That’s not what I want, not at all.

I remind myself that the end game is for him to know what really happened the day before we both left our hometown, only it feels like I’m digging myself an even bigger hole.

I must be a glutton for punishment though, because somehow Anna has talked me into going to tonight’s game with her.

I’ve opted not to wear a jersey. Scott’s at work again so I can’t ask him his opinion, but I think he’d agree that me borrowing this generic Wolves hoody from the laundry is a good idea.

The subway train is packed with Wolves fans as I make my way the few stops to the arena, and when I get up and out onto the street, it’s even busier.

The columns of light on the outside of the arena shine teal and white and the enormous billboards project advertisements selling tickets for future games, apparel, and messages from some of the players welcoming fans.

Casey takes up a lot of real estate, but Knox gets some action too, and I love seeing him displayed up there like that.

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