Page 36 of Bad Wolf

“I missed everything. And Knox...” I shake my head, “He hates me.”

“Just give him a little space for now. Let him process.”

I wipe my eyes on my sleeve cuff, nodding, and she leads me up to the nicest and biggest house I think I’ve ever seen.

Coralie shows me to a beautiful bathroom on the main floor, where I get myself under control. My eyes are red and puffy, but at least I’ve managed to stop crying.

She waits just outside and when I’m ready, we make our way into the kitchen where Jack and Jason sit at the counter, talking animatedly to each other.

A few minutes later, Knox’s teammate, Grey, enters and scoops Coralie into his arms, setting a few sweet kisses onto her lips. They’re the epitome of loved up and I feel my ovaries give a little kick when he walks over to Jack, squeezes his shoulders, and kisses his crown.

It takes everything I have not to cry again, although this time I’d be bawling ugly jealous tears. Casey gives me a reassuring smile and then unwraps himself from a petite blonde.

“Anna, Gunner, this is Wren. Knox’s, umm,” he stutters, “Knox’s, Wren.”

“Hey,” I say keeping it short. Instead of“Don’t mind me, just the Madden pariah out to make everyone’s day miserable.”

I give them a wave and then groan, “What am I doing here, you guys? This a disaster.”

“Now, now, Wren. Nothing important ever comes easy,” Casey admonishes.

I chuckle at that, “Wow,Lieutenant Colonel Madden, it’s been a while.”

And I instantly berate myself. The jokey comparison to his dad fell out of my mouth with such ease, but I know they’re miles from being that comfortable in my presence. He rolls his eyes though and in spite of myself, I feel my lips lift in a small grin.

“So let me get this straight,” The cute little Tinkerbell interjects, tipping her head to the side, “Not only do you all look like clones,” she says, pointing from Casey to Jason, “there’s actually been a girl version of Knox out there all along?”

I feel my cheeks heat at that.

“It’s nice to have you here,” Anna says in a strong English accent.

“We needed the scales to tip a little bit in our favor.”

“What do you mean?” I ask as Gunner gives me his hand to shake.

“She means, it’s a testosterone fest every day around here,” Coralie supplies.

“Ah, I see not much has changed for you then, Coralie.”

She scoffs at that. “You think the teenage versions of these dumbasses were bad, well somehow it’s gotten ten times worse, only now they can cover up their boy smells with designer cologne instead of AXE.”

“Okay, enough boy bashing. Shall I order in for lunch?” Casey looks around the group.

“Yeah,” Jason and Jack both say at the same time.

* * *

After a hearty lunch and Scott’s arrival, we’re gathered in what can only be described as a den, to formulate a plan.

“Immersion therapy? What the hell do you mean?” I ask.

“It’s when—”

“I know what it is,” I say, shooting Jason a look, “I mean how is it going to help in this situation?”

“Sorry I’m used to being in the company of house bricks,” he says eyeing his two brothers who proceed to punch him on the arm, and not softly by the grimace that flashes across his face.

“Continue, carefully,” Scott warns.

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