Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“Yeah. Thanks,” I say, thankful for the redirection. “I’ll be here. It’ll be good to get back into a routine again.”
“Wednesdays are heavy lifting days. I only survive if I go into it prepped.”
I laugh. “Sounds about right.”
“He knows what Wednesdays are,” Breaker says, coming out of the showers. His slick grin immediately puts me on edge. “Brewer gave him a fine piece of ass to help him prep. You should see this bitch, Ridge. She’s a fucking dime.”
“Whoa, Break,” Ridge says, holding out a hand.
An eerie calm settles over me, erasing any thoughts outside of what’s happening in this room. His words were lodged at me like an arrow. Is he waiting to see if I’ll bleed?
My hands dangle at my sides as the air surrounding us impregnates with a static charge. Breaker squares his shoulders to mine, standing tall as if to confirm my suspicions. He’s trying to get a reaction out of me. Why? I’m not sure. Is he implying that I’m getting unfair treatment by having an assistant? Is he insinuating that I’m fucking Astrid? Or is he just being a dick?
This blowhard has a problem, and we’re going to solve it right fucking now.
My jaw flexes as I stare Breaker down. He’s a big piece of shit—easily three or four inches taller than me and about one hundred pounds heavier. And, by the looks of it, just smart enough to get himself killed.
“You have a decision to make,” I say to him, my voice stone-cold.
He smirks. “Is that so?”
“Fuck,” Ridge says, sighing. “Let’s not do this, guys.”
“Shut the fuck up and keep your teeth, or run your mouth and don’t,” I say to Breaker.
He laughs, projecting the sound louder and more obnoxiously than necessary.
I smirk back. “You better think this through,” I warn, taunting him.
In the back of my mind, I know I should get my shit and get the hell out of here. Fighting a teammate before I’m even officially on the squad would ruin everything—and maybe even get me tossed out of the league altogether. But his insinuations can’t go unchecked. I can’t let that shit begin to take hold here.
“Let’s take a breath,” Ridge says. “Let’s think this through.”
Breaker takes a step toward me.
“I will knock you the fuck out before you get your hands up,” I say calmly. “Take another step …”
His confidence wobbles, likely because he didn’t count on me to still be standing here. But that’s all I need to know to understand that he doesn’t want any part of this. Of me. That’s both a disappointment and a relief.
Finally, Breaker’s lips twist into an amused, cocky grin. “Calm the fuck down. I was just messing around.”
“Good choice.” I close my locker, my heart hammering like a drum. I keep an eye on Breaker in case he’s the kind of guy to throw a sucker punch when my back is turned. “See you both tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow,” Ridge says.
Breaker doesn’t say anything, but I expected that.
I make my way through the facility, not making eye contact with anyone. It’s one foot in front of the other until I’m inside my truck.
My jaw aches from grinding my teeth together, and my breaths are still haggard from the adrenaline coursing through my veins like a roller coaster. The enormity of what nearly happened hits me in the center of my chest. I just about fucked all the way up.
I grip the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.
But the thought of letting Breaker run his mouth is too much to let go. And allowing him to belittle Astrid behind her back feels like fucking up too. I’m no knight in shining armor—not that she needs one, the woman can handle herself—but it would be hard to look at her and know I let this go without saying a word. Dignity isn’t disposable.
“Dammit,” I say, smacking my palm against the armrest.
I glance down as my phone lights up with a text. Astrid’s name flashes on the screen. I’ve summoned the beast.
My chest tightens as I read her words, reminding me that she’ll be at my house in an hour. It’s the last thing I want to do tonight, but I can’t call it off. Because, after today, I need her gone more than ever.
Me: Okay.
Then I start my truck and leave the parking lot and the locker room behind me.
CHAPTER
NINE
Astrid
“There’s this guy …” Gianna sighs on the other end of the phone. “Don’t laugh.”
I don’t.
The sun hovers ahead, just above the horizon. Stately buildings standing tall on either side of the road frame the sunset like a picture frame. It looks like I could drive straight into the vivid oranges and pinks if I keep my foot on the accelerator. Considering my destination and the day I’ve had, testing that theory doesn’t sound like a bad plan.