Page 144 of Honey Pot

“They’re going to riot.” I shook my head and looked over at them all happily chatting and getting ready. “This is going to ruin camp.”

“This is the best time for him to bond with the team.” Silas wasn’t budging on the matter. “I need you to help this go smoothly.”

“They’re going to string him up on the flag pole and throw tomatoes at him.” I laughed and tapped the clipboard.

“Sounds like bonding to me.” He shrugged. “You cut your hair?” He raised an eyebrow at me, and rubbed his palm over the buzzcut. “Looks good.”

“I think the school board calls it hazing…” I said, ignoring his observation. Silas didn’t respond. “As long as you’re aware of how badly this will end.” I clapped him on the shoulder and wandered over to where most of the team was huddled up.

“You better tell them soon before he gets on that bus,” Silas whispered in passing as he grabbed his bag from Ella and climbed onto the bus ahead of the team. She offered no sympathy and followed closely.

“Tell us what?” Van asked, crossing his arms over his chest as Dean joined the huddle in his sweatpants and backward hat.

“What’s going on?” He asked me.

“Uh,” I opened my mouth to speak but the sound of a duffle loudly dropping to the ground interrupted my explanation.

“Hey boys,” Joshua Logan, former pitcher of the Lorrette’s stood in a t-shirt, sweats, a cocky grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. “Who’s ready for Spring Camp?”

TUCKER

A first look into Honeysuckle , book 3 in the Hornet's Nest Series

“No.” I looked Josh over, “that’s really funny, you guys.”

No one moved; their eyes roamed over Joshua Logan like he was a wild animal, and they were trying to process how to make it out alive. There wasn’t a chance in hell that Coach thought this was a smart decision.

Josh Logan, the irate asshole and former pitcher of the Lorettes, joining our team?

No.

“Sorry, Tuck, it’s not a joke,” Josh snapped. He watched me carefully with fire behind his dark brown eyes. His smile said ‘glad to be here,’ but his eyes held a pitch to them so dark that there was no telling what was going on behind them.

“Don’t call me that.” I stepped back from the huddle to put space between us all as some of the guys started toward the bus. Van and Cael stayed, hovering to ensure nothing happened as Josh adjusted his bag on his shoulder.

“I don’t want to be here anymore than you do,” Josh said.

“Then why are you here?” Van asked before I could get the words up and out.

“Lorrette didn’t need me anymore; you needed a pitcher,” He said in a matter-of-fact voice that grated against my skin.

“We don’t need you,” I said, and Cael huffed but put a smile on his face as he stepped between the two of us. His hand was going to rest on Josh’s chest to push us apart.

“Don’t touch me, Cody,” Josh snarled, and the adrenaline spiked in my chest. I pushed forward, but Cael blocked my advance to keep me from the fight.

“Watch your tone,” I warned him, my hands balling into fists at my side.

“I thought you were the soft one, Tuck?” Josh sneered.

I hated that fucking nickname.

“You wanna test that theory, Logan?” I snapped, surging forward, causing Cael to shuffle his feet to gain control as Van stepped forward, ready to assist in breaking up whatever started.

“Alright, boys, we can set up a pudding pool at camp, and you can work this out there, but for now, we have a bus to catch,” Cael said, his eyes flickering from Josh to me. “And unfortunately, you have to promise to do it shirtless and no headshots.You’reboth too pretty for that.” He tapped two fingers to my chest, drawing my attention downward.

“That’s right, Tuck. Listen to your boyfriend and get on the bus. Tail between those legs,” Josh snipped, and part of me wanted to lose my mind, but Cael stared at me, begging me to remember who I am now.

Van interjected with a smile, and the wind blew around his shaggy sheered mullet. “You know, Josh, this isn’t the best way to start Spring Camp, out in the woods without anyone to hear you scream.”

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