Page 216 of The Blame Game

“Oh fuck, really?” the guy muttered. “I thought you were one of the puck bunnies running around here.”

Shea frowned. What the fuck was wrong with this guy? Gross. Birdie seemed tough but he definitely wasn’t going anywhere until he was sure the guy had left her alone.

“Ugh, you’re disgusting!” Birdie made a face. “A: don’t ever call women that again, you asshole. And B: you work for the team. How do you not know what your players’ partners look like? Colton and I have been together for years.”

She stepped sideways and the guy listed in that direction like he was trying to stop her.

“Ahh, how would I know? All you blondes look alike anyway,” he slurred, reaching out to her. “Besides, you just like a man with a fat wallet and I’ve got that.”

“Fuck you!” Birdie snapped. “And get your hands off me, you jerk.”

“What on earth is going on here?” Kate snapped and Shea turned to see her glaring at the man.

Birdie brushed past him, walking over to stand between Shea and Kate. “This jackass was hitting on me!”

The guy turned and Shea’s mouth dropped open. He should have known.

“Jesus Christ, Mark,” Kate spat. “Your behavior is disgusting. You were already reprimanded about what happened at the gala but this is it. I’m speaking to the ownership group about having you removed from your position.”

Fury filled Shea at the sight of Mark Goodwin. Of course it was the same creep who had stalked Audra after she broke things off with him.

Mark babbled something, but as Shea opened his mouth to ask Kate if she wanted Mark removed from the premises, someone else came around the corner.

Mitchell Nash.

“Birdie? Kate? What’s going on?” he asked with a frown.

Kate scowled. “I’m afraid your father is very drunk and making an ass of himself. He made a pass at Birdie and didn’t seem inclined to take no for an answer.”

Mitchell’s expression turned horrified. “Oh fuck, I’m so sorry, Birdie.”

“It’s not your fault! He’s the one to blame.”

“Yeah, but I should have warned you.” Mitchell shot his father a disgusted look. “He’s always been an asshole. He cheated on my mom for years.”

Birdie sighed. “Well, we don’t exactly choose our family.”

“You should be more grateful to me, son. I got you this job!” Mark said, stumbling a little and bumping into the wall.

“No you fucking didn’t!” Mitchell shouted. “I got it! Because I worked my ass off. Why do you think I go by Nash at work? I didn’t want anyone to know I was related to you. You’re an embarrassment.”

“You think you’re so much better than me,” Mark slurred. “But you’re not. You’re fucking that man and letting him buy you shit. It’s disgusting.”

“Shut up! Mitchell is nothing like you,” Birdie snapped. “He’s a good person.”

But Mitchell’s face went white and he staggered back, sliding along the wall until he was seated on the floor.

He buried his face in his hands and let out a choking noise.

“Mitchell?” Birdie said, crouching down beside him. “What’s going on?”

He lifted a stricken face to meet hers. “I’m not. I’m not a good person, Birdie. I’m the one who’s been leaking stuff to JockGossip.”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

“Wait.” Dom rubbed his still-aching head. “What happened at the party last night when you went inside?”

Shea pressed a mug of coffee into his hand. “Mark hit on Birdie, Kate showed up, Mitchell appeared, Mitchell got into it with his dad, and then Mitchell confessed to being the leak.”

---