Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
While I don’t ordinarily mind the silent treatment from my teammates, I do have a problem that probably needs fixing. Yesterday morning, I took a shot at North, made a scene in front of the entire team, and gave them yet another reason to steer clear of me. Not that they needed one—I’ve spent the last year making sure they knew I didn’t give a shit about being part of their brotherhood.
I keep my head down, tying my laces, listening as the room around me buzzes with post-practice chatter. Stone and Boone are talking about plans for the night. Atlas is laughing at something Bain said. King’s talking to Willa on the phone, but I can feel his eyes flick toward me every so often.
I know I need to fix things with North. I lost my shit in the worst way. No matter my personal boundaries when it comes to relationships on this team, what I did was not cool. I had no right to touch him. It was beyond the pale of decency that I threatened to kill him. I owe him an apology for my words and actions, and I’ll get to it.
Eventually.
But that’s not my priority right now. I’ve got something far more important to handle.
I pull my hoodie on and grab my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. As I walk toward the exit I can feel eyes on my back, but I ignore them. I traverse the hallway that circles the basement level of the arena to a private elevator leading to the executive floor. I use my security badge to gain access and take it to the top.
When I step into the lobby, the receptionist barely glances up from her computer.
“I need to see Callum Derringer,” I say.
She peers up through her glasses. “I’m sorry, Mr. Navarro. He’s in a meeting with Ms. Norcross.”
It wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and include Brienne on this. I didn’t ask for her because if anyone’s too busy to deal with this bullshit, it would be her. “Actually, I’d like to see them both.”
Her smile isn’t warm at all, her eyes glacial as she holds her fortifying position to keep her bosses safe from bother. “I’m sorry… they can’t be disturbed.”
I don’t have time for this shit. I operate on a short fuse to begin with, so it’s no surprise when I turn into a full-on asshole. “If you want to keep your job, I suggest you call them right now and let them know that their star player is here requesting five fucking minutes of their time.”
Her eyes widen, mouth forms into an O, and I can tell she’s on the verge of being truly offended.
So I add, “Please.”
For some reason, that seems to mollify her, or maybe she thinks I truly have the power to get her fired, which I don’t nor would I. The woman gives me a once-over, probably noting that I never come up here unless absolutely necessary. “Hold on.”
She buzzes the intercom and Brienne answers. “Yes, Marta?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you.” She shoots me a scathing glance. “But Mr. Navarro is here to see you and Mr. Derringer. He says it’s urgent, but I tried to tell him you’re busy.”
There’s a moment of silence, then Brienne says, “Send him back. And thank you, Marta.”
Marta nods toward the door. “You can go back.”
“Yup. Got that part.” Still the asshole.
Marta buzzes the lock and I push through the door into a maze of hallways. I’ve been up here a few times since coming to the team and know where to go. Brienne’s office sits in the corner, offering sweeping views of the Pittsburgh skyline across the Allegheny River.
Brienne’s expression sharpens the second she sees me in the doorway and she waves me in. “Penn. Take a seat.”
Callum twists in his chair, studying me as I approach. “Something going on?” he asks when I drop down into the chair next to him.
I let out a slow breath and get right to it. “I thought you both should know about something that’s come up in my life that could have adverse effects going forward.”
“For the team?” Callum asks.
I lift a shoulder. “For me, and by association, possibly the team.”
Brienne folds her arms. “Go on.”
My gaze shifts across the desk to her. “Did you hear about the teddy bear I received in the locker room?”
She shoots a puzzled look to Callum, and then back to me. “I did not. Should I have been told about it?”
I turn to Callum. “Did you know?”
He shakes his head, confusion creasing his forehead.
I find this very interesting as well as surprising. My teammates saw it. They pulled it out of the garbage after I threw it away and saw the threatening note. They’ve been piecing things together and I’m truly shocked that word hasn’t filtered up. There’s a part of me that respects it, and a part of me that’s repulsed by it. That’s the team, rallying around me and keeping secrets from everyone else. It’s fucking confusing as to which way is the right way, but I push it aside and explain the incident to Brienne and Callum.