‘Monday.’
‘I’m free Monday… I’d really like the chance to explain some things.’
‘You don’t have to work?’
He puts the emphasis on the ‘work’ so that I know he’s referring to myotherjob. ‘Club’s closed Mondays. That’s why Monday Night Football… well, it ain’t a problem for me.’
‘Oh,’ he says, and his tone is flat. ‘Listen, I gotta go.’
‘Good luck at the game,’ I say, sounding hopeful.
‘Thanks,’ he says, and hangs up.
I place the phone on the nightstand, then exhale. I feel another hot sting of tears. Then my personal phone vibrates. I read a string of funny messages from the girls about what we should do for team bonding.
When a separate message comes through to my phone, I read the words and stiffen. The fury that I felt in the limo ride back to Surly’s returns to my chest.
I’d sink my face in your pussy and make you feel so good, Brody’s message reads.Think about it…
I should block him; I know that I should. But right now, he has me in a stranglehold. And while he’s presenting his proposal as a choice, I know it’s not a choice I’m gonna be free to make. Brody Conway has already made up his mind that he wants me in his bed. If I refuse to comply, he’ll expose me.
It’s not something I want to do, but I can see only one way out of this. And it’s the only way that Jake and I might still have a shot.
I need to quit the CMC.
Chapter Twenty-One
Serenity
Boulder Creek is a suburb due south of Danube Stadium, on the east side of Canyon. I’ve heard some of the players live on modern, gated properties here. I’m sure to park my Ford C-Max a decent distance from Harmony’s apartment block. I’ve known these girls a while now, and I’m grateful that none of them is yet to see the car I drive.
When I arrive, most of the other girls are pulling up in their own vehicles, or getting dropped off. When Jewel sees me, I give her a wave and she comes racing over, her curls bouncing with every step.
‘Hey, Ren!’ she beams.
‘Hey,’ I smile and give her a hug on the street. I woke up finding my resolve to quit had softened after sleep, though I still don’t see any way out of my situation without me being exposed as a liar.
‘You nervous?’ she asks.
‘Nervous? About what?’
‘You know. Our first team bonding session.’
I frown. ‘Should we be?’
Jewel’s eyes go wide. She lowers her voice. ‘I hear Angel and Shawny said they’re gonna spice things up a little.’
Upstairs, Harmony welcomes everyone to her apartment. ‘Phones at the door!’ is the instruction given to everyone and so, laughing, I surrender my cell. Stepping forward, I take in my surroundings. Her place is light and airy, with artwork on the walls and pictures of her extended family in frames. It tasteful. Demure. It’s the kind of place I can only imagine leasing. In the kitchen, there are fresh pastries, fruit and coffee and everybody helps themselves.
‘When you’re ready, take a seat!’ Harmony trills over excited voices.
She’s brought out extra chairs. It takes a few moments for everybody to settle. Next to Jewel, I sit on the carpet and hug my knees.
‘Welcome everybody,’ Harmony says as the room quietens. ‘Welcome to our first team bonding of the season.’
There is applause. Jewel elbows me in my side and I smile. Harmony makes it sound like a ritual, which it is.
‘Admin points first,’ our captain continues. ‘Everybody signed up for their community outreach choices, yes?’
