Page 46 of Unleashed

He crosses his arms. “Me? You and Rodwell ruined it.”

I sigh and move to lean against the tree. “Come on, Coach. I started it. Okay?”

Simone folds her fingers together and puts them beneath her chin. “Please, please, Wilderness. I’m begging you not to end it. I want to go to the Bahamas.” When Wilder continues to glare at her, she amends, “I want everyone to go to the Bahamas. Coach Wilder. Sir.” Simone smiles sweetly, making me want to gag or tongue her into next week.

I inhale and struggle to not roll my eyes. They end up twitching like I’m on crack. “I’m sorry for being a dickhole. Can you please give us one more chance?”

“This was your one more chance.”

I shift and cross my arms, matching his. “Well, we already apologized and promised not to do it again. I’m not sucking your dick too.” As soon as I say that, every part of me shrivels into a prune. “Shit. Saying that was a catastrophic mistake and in no way reflects any of your past actions. I’m sorry for all of it. Please don’t punish the team for my stupidity. You should know by now that I’m a mega idiot.”

Simone mumbles, “I’ll second that.” I literally bite my tongue so I don’t dig deeper and end up in prison.

Wilder takes a deep breath, narrowing his demon eyes at us. “I could run you both over with my SUV and not give a fuck.”

Simone gasps, “Finnigan Robert Wilder! Take that back!”

He moves closer to Simone. “Listen up because this is how it’ll go. Rodwell will say one nice thing to you, and you’ll do the same for him.” Still facing Simone, he glances at me, ordering, “Rodwell, you go first.”

At a complete loss, I stutter, “Whatever happened to ladies first?”

He grins, and it’s pure hatred. “Equal opportunity.”

“Oh.” I take a slow breath, racking my brain for something that won’t piss anyone off but will let me maintain a bit of self-respect.

“I’m waiting,” Wilder says, stepping back from his sister and checking his silver watch. I think Hadley gave it to him in exchange for not having to blow him.

I swallow and contemplate stabbing myself with a tree branch. If I miss a vital organ, it’ll just be an inconvenient hospital stay and physical therapy. Maybe I’ll make headlines, and a supermodel will offer me a sympathy fuck when I’m all better. I grin. “You’re looking extra lovely today, Coach Wilder. Those glasses are on point. You don’t look like a nerd. More like a lonely accountant.”

He doesn’t crack a smile, but I hear Simone trying so hard to stifle a giggle, and I struggle to restrain a snort.

“Nice try. If you can’t scrounge one up for Simone, then forget it.”

I clear my throat and then cough, desperate for more time. I stare straight ahead at more trees in the dark and mutter, “You look nice.”

“More specific, Rodwell.”

I’m a kindergartner losing snack-time privileges. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” When his glower doesn’t wane, I growl before saying, “I like your short skirt. The moonlight makes your cheeks glow.”

Wilder closes his eyes while Simone gasps and runs her hands over the back hem of her skirt. Hysterical.

He opens his eyes, and knowing he’ll not get more out of me, he switches to his sister. “Your turn.”

She answers, “You’re not dressed like a failing fashion designer struggling with a drug addiction today. It’s nice.” What the fuck?

Wilder’s mouth twitches, but he doesn’t full-on laugh. “Now, shake hands and go your separate ways. Sunday afternoon, you will smile politely at each other and shake hands before every practice and before every goddamn game. And if you have nothing nice to say, you’ll keep your fucking mouths closed. Don’t trash the season for everyone else. Am I clear?”

“Yes,” Simone whispers.

“As a broken bell.” He glares at me longer than he does his sister, compelling me to play nice. “Yes.” Asshat.

He looks at our hands, waiting. I put out my hand. “Fine.”

Simone offers her fingers like a princess at a ball. Instead of appeasing her, I grab her wrist and shake it. She shrieks with a jerk and kisses her brother’s cheek before returning to the pathway, where Rhodes waits for her.

Eager to get the fuck out of here, I pass Wilder, who stops me. “I mean it, Rodwell. Leave her alone. You’re over.”

“Thanks for twisting the knife. I get it. Jesus H.”

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