Page 25 of Puck Princess

Which is why I’m not gonna bother trying to dodge any bullets headed my way. I walk straight towards Coach’s office, but as I pass the locker room, Lance calls my name.

“Owen! Everyone’s in here.”

I walk in and, sure enough, the team, Coach, Rick, and several other Scythes staff members are all there.

Well, all the birds, one stone. Why not?

“Damn brother,” Heath lets out quietly.

I run a hand over the worst of the bruising on my jaw. It’s a dull throb after the handful of painkillers I popped this morning. “I’m fine.” I cross my arms, happy to stand in the middle of this gathering. Might as well. All eyes are on me anyway. “Alright. So let’s talk.”

Coach Coleman steps forward first. “I don’t have to tell you what a fucking mess this season has been, Sharpe.”

“No, sir, you don’t.”

“Or that I’m wildly disappointed that my niece was in danger because of it.”

“That makes two of us.”

He narrows his eyes like that remains to be seen. “If we’re going to clean up this shit hurricane, I need some answers. Are you or are you not dating my niece?”

He’s starting with the heavy hitters.

“We are working on things, yes.”

“Half-ass answer, but I’ll take it. Next: is even half of the shit I’m hearing about Miles on ESPN true?”

I look at the rest of the guys. I know Miles is a worthless piece of shit, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t look at him like family for the last few years. As one of the oldest guys on the team, a lot of them looked up to him as a mentor.

But they deserve the truth.

“Almost all of it is.”

There’s a beat of silence, a bit of rustling as people adjust, absorbing that bombshell.

Then Coach nods. “Well, then. Let’s wash our hands and be done. Miles is suspended until further notice. We pick up his slack, and we try to save the season.”

He and the rest of the staff are ready to walk out. “Wait. That’s it?”

Everyone looks at me.

Coach arches a brow. “Yeah, that’s it. Unless you have something you want to say.”

Despite his words, it isn’t an invitation. I’m pushing my luck right now.

Over Coach’s shoulder, Dax is shaking his head.

“What about Callie?”

“Mind your business,” Coach growls. “I’m making the best decisions for?—”

“Bullshit,” I hiss. Lance lays a hand on my shoulder, but I shrug him off. “She was the victim in all of this, and you’re ignoring her because it’s easier. You’re letting your niece suffer because you’d rather not cause a scene. Well, fuck that.”

I can see I’ve struck a nerve, but I really don’t care. I also don’t give him the opportunity to respond. Because at fault or not, I’m the one who is done here.

“Callie is my business,” I inform him and the rest of the locker room. “And until you all stop pussy footing around and do the right thing, she’s the only business I care about.”

With that, I walk out.

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