Page 29 of Bad Wolf

Just as we’re about to walk into the changing room, Brenna, an assistant in the media department, stops us in our tracks.

“Aww, look at that. Two outta three.”

“Hi Brenna,” Jason says before he ducks in through the double doors, sending me a little warning glance before he does.

“Hey, Knox. How’s it going?”

“Good,” I nod.

“So, I just thought you might like to know that I’m due to come out with you on the next road trip.”

“That’s…good.” I’m not sure why she thinks this is information I’d need to know.

“Well, maybe we can hang out while we’re stuck in the hotel. I know how Coach gets sometimes, and it might not be the worst thing if we’re couped up together.”

Ah, I see where this is going.

“I dunno. I’ll probably just be crashing. Bein’ on the road takes it outta me, ya know?”

“That’s not what you were saying a month ago.”

I roll my eyes involuntarily, and inwardly cringe when her eyes narrow. This little clinger is mad.

“Or the one before that. Or the one before that.” She says, folding her arms primly in front of her.

She can hold her head as high as she likes, but I know how fast I can get her on her back.

Fuck. See, this is why you don’t go in for a repeat. It wasn’t even all that good. I just fancied fucking something other than my hand, and Coach had us all on a strict curfew because a couple of the rookies caused some trouble the night before. Then the most recent time, I was high off a win but couldn’t be bothered to put any work in.

Brenna was easy and willing.

Time for damage control.

I lean my shoulder against the wall and soften my features, then I give her a lopsided grin—we’re going for self-deprecating, not flirting, so no teeth.

“Listen, Brenna. It was a good time. A cute girl like you, a girl who can get any man she wants, shouldn’t be wasting her time on a dumb jock like me when you could be meeting a man who has his head screwed on. You know what this gig is like. A different city every few days. Games, training, practice. I’m not looking for anything steady. You get it, right?”

“I mean, of course, I get it. That’s why we’re so good together. I understand the demands of the job. But it’s also a bonus because sometimes I get to travel with the team.”

I’m not in the mood for this at all today. Although I could probably do with the distraction… No, she seems a little too invested in our three casual hookups.

“I just, I’m just not at the right time in my life to be looking for something permanent. That’s all.”

Thankfully, before she can say another word, Coach is pulling me into the changing room telling me to get my hustle on. I give Brenna a look that saysit’s my lossand head on in.

CHAPTERSEVEN

WREN

I hearit before I see it.

The loud roar of an engine pulling into the alley beside the club that I thankfully no longer work at. By some miracle, Barry didn’t lose his shit, and took my resignation without much of a fight. He even paid me what I’d earned right up until last night and grunted “Take care of yourself,” as I left.

I won’t hold my breath for a reference, but I got what was owed—which is all I really care about.

Finding a place to stay, a job, and all those important, sensible things, I’m pushing to the back of my mind.

Those are problems for future Wren to think about. Present Wren needs to worry about the most pressing challenge…how to drive this fucking monster.

---