Page 46 of Bad Wolf

She smiles, “Exactly. Oop. Don’t look now, but Knox is heading right this way.”

“Holy shit, Jenna,” fuck, he’s hot. I outwardly cringe and her brow furrows. “I’m not even going to get a drink in me before I’m confronted by him again.”

“We should have done shots before we left. I see our error now,” Jenna points out the obvious.

By some miracle, he’s stopped by three older men who congratulate him on his awesome season before he sees us, laughing and smiling with them like they’re all old buddies.

We manage to slip into the crowd a little more. You’d have to be actively searching for us to be spotted and I thank sports fans everywhere for their inability to keep their shit together when meeting their team heroes.

“So, the plan is, you take him off to unload six years of angst, and I find Jason to keep me company until you return.”

I nod, unable to speak through the anxiety, shakily plucking a straw out of the holder on the bar top and twirling it around my fingers. The enormous screen above the bar shows highlights of tonight’s games while the bar staff works tirelessly to serve the thirsty customers.

“What are you going to say? I mean, I know what you’re gonna tell him, but how will you start up a conversation like that?”

“Honestly, I have no idea. Let’s…let’s just focus on getting him alone for five minutes. That’s our biggest challenge here.”

“Oh, Wren.” She pulls me in for a hug I didn’t ask for but desperately need.

When we do get served, I insist on buying a round of two drinks each and I’m not ashamed to tell you that I sink my whiskey sour in three big gulps, making Jenna gasp.

“Hey Jenn, what are you doin’ here without your bodyguard?”

We both jump as Knox’s voice booms above the music and the buzz of the bar. He spins her around from the bar top wrapping her up in a big, over-the-top hug. It’s one a little brother might give when they end up being taller than their older sister, squashing her face-first against his peck roughly.

Doesn’t stop the burning sensation of envy though, even if it is platonic.

Not only do I want his arms wrapped around me, but I’m having an out-of-body experience standing so close to him. He’s dressed in a forest green shirt, trousers that fit his thick thighs perfectly, and a wide, gleaming white smile.

I bet his ass looks spectacular too. His dirty blond hair is styled to perfection. He’s got this faux hawk going on at the minute that just does it for me and he smells delicious.

“Scott isn’t my bodyguard.” She rolls her eyes as she steps back from under his arm, but he doesn’t see it, let alone hear what she just said because he’s staring straight at me. The smile falls off his face and his stubbled jaw hardens to stone.

Here goes… “Can we talk?” I venture, in for a penny, right?

His throat works with a rough swallow, and he slowly turns his head toward Jenna, whose eyes widen in, I guess, awkwardness.

He squints a little and gives her an assessing gaze. Realization washes over him and his lips set into a thin line. He nods his head like he understands what’s going on, or more likely the invisible line he thinks she’s drawn in the sand, then walks off, his shoulder brushing hers ever so slightly.

We watch after him as he gets sucked back into the crowd, and she whistles while my heart sinks. Again.

“Well, doesn’t his shit list just get longer by the day.” She shudders, trying to shake off the frosty air Knox left in his wake.

“I’m so sorry for causing all this collateral damage.” My eyes sting at the thought of hurting them,him, even more.

“All I want is for him to hear me out. Wouldn’t he feel better if he knew the truth?”

She huddles in next to me, handing me a napkin and holding me close.

“Yeah, Wren, it would be better for him to know the truth, but he’s so stubborn and obviously still cut up about it. I think he needs to brood a little more and then I’m sure he’ll come around. He can’t ignore everyone in his life forever.”

I have to wonder though if he’s ever going to give me the chance to right my wrongs.

“Shall we go find baby Madden?” she asks, her eyes scanning the elevated level of the bar looking for Jason, not allowing me to overthink our brief but absolutely fruitless encounter.

“Can we just get drinks somewhere else?” I plead.

“Okay, honey. Let’s finish these and get out of here.”

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