Page 210 of So This Is War
“Same,” Eli says. “That’s what I was thinking. It’s about time you found someone.”
“I was going to say the same thing,” Pacey cuts in. “You’ve seemed really happy, and now that we know why, I don’t want this situation to freak you out. Don’t give up on Wylie or try to break up because you think it’s the right thing to do.”
“I couldn’t,” I say. “I wouldn’t do that to her. I just hope . . . fuck, I hope she doesn’t think the same thing, like to help me, she would break up.”
“If that happens, we’ll help you out,” Eli says. “Honestly, I’m shocked you didn’t include us when you started dating her.”
“Yeah, about that,” I say, knowing they won’t be happy about this. “I’ve actually been texting your significant others, and they’re the ones who helped me with Wylie.”
“What?” Pacey says.
“Wait,” Silas says, looking pissed. “Ollie knew about your relationship before I did?”
“Even Blakely?” Halsey asks, looking hurt.
“To be fair,” I say before Eli can say anything. “I told them not to say anything to you guys because I didn’t think your advice would be helpful.”
Eli crosses his arms over his chest. “What about the Frozen Fellas? Did that mean nothing to you?”
“It did. It’s why I called upon you now,” I say. “Because I knew that this was a different level. I don’t think the girls can help me with this. This requires insider information.” I blow out a heavy breath and say, “I think I need you to help me woo our coach.”
“Jesus Christ,” Silas says as he leans back in his chair.
“Not what I had in mind,” Pacey says.
“I’m still hurt that we weren’t good enough to help with Wylie,” Eli says.
“Honestly, I’m still shivering over the knowledge that Coach Wood caught you having sex with his daughter. Yikes,” OC adds.
“Guys,” Halsey says. “I don’t think we can joke around about this. I know Posey thinks that Andie has his back, but Coach Wood has pull, and as much as this bologna-loving asshole drives us nuts at times, we don’t want to lose him, so we do need to come up with a plan. And I don’t think wooing him is the way to go. I think it needs to be serious. We need to put our foot down.” He looks between us. “We’re his starting lineup. He fucks with one of us, he fucks with all of us.”
I slowly turn to Halsey and touch his hand. “Dude, my nipples just got hard.”
“Yeah . . . this is the guy you want to stick your neck out for,” Silas says while thumbing toward me. “Mr. Hard Nipples. Jesus.” He shakes his head and leans forward. “Okay, what are we going to do?”
It’s really fuckinglate by the time I get back to the apartment. So when I walk in and see that it’s dark, I’m not surprised, but I am surprised when Wylie’s not waiting for me in the bedroom.
Panic sets in, and I call out her name. When I don’t get a response, I set my phone down on the nightstand and head into the living room. I turn on the light, checking her chair, the couch . . . the kitchen.
Nothing.
Fuck.
I head to the nanny hole, open the door...and find Wylie lying on the bed, curled into her pillow.
“Wylie,” I say as I take a seat on the edge of her bed. “What are you doing over here?”
She looks at me with puffy eyes. “I thought. . .you weren’t coming home and?—”
I pull her onto my lap and scoot back against the wall, gently stroking her hair as I hold her in place. “I’m sorry it took me so long. I had to chat with the boys. Figure things out.”
“What do you mean?” she asks. “Are you off the team?”
I shake my head. “No. I have an iron-clad contract. Your dad has sway, but not that much sway.”
“So . . . what happened?”
“The GM issued a warning, and I’ll be fined, but that’s it. Your dad wants me gone, but like I said, that can’t happen.”
