Page 92 of I Blame the Club

One punch.

That’s all it would take to knock Wes right on his ass. We both know it and yet he still corners me in the locker room after our morning practice.

It’s admirable in the most pathetic way possible.

“Hey Mo, do you have a minute?” Wes runs a hand through his sweat-soaked hair, the tension in his posture a dead giveaway, “Just want to talk about the other morning.”

Closing my locker, I keep my expression carefully neutral as I give the co-captain my undivided attention.

“Go ahead.”

He gulps down a breath, “Right. So, about the thing with you and Nico…” Wes sighs, shaking his head, “I’m no good at this. You’re an older brother, right?”

“Stella is my younger sister, yes.”

He nods as if my confirmation was some much needed ammunition, “So you know what it’s like to look out forsomeone. To have their best interest at heart even when it doesn't align with your own.”

It’s easy to see where this conversation is going, but I stay silent, letting him continue.

“What I’m trying to say here is Nico is like a brother to me. There’s no point in threatening you bodily harm because we both know that wouldn’t end well for me.”

I huff out a laugh and he grins, “And I can’t afford to break the money-maker. So, the moral of the story is be transparent about your intentions and I won’t have to get my ass kicked in his honour. Deal?”

I tilt my head in acknowledgement, “Deal.”

He turns to leave but I open my mouth before he can make it to the door.

“You did well during the passing drill today.” Wincing, I force the rest of the words out, “Demonstrated excellent leadership skills. I was impressed.”

Wes whips around, excitement radiating from his every pore, “Really?! Which drill do you think was the best? I thought the last one…”

He trails off, catching my frown.

“Ah, what I meant to say was thank you.”

I grimace, wanting this conversation to end as quickly as possible, “See you next practice, Captain.”

Wes gives me one last beaming smile before turning and walking out of the locker room. Taking an internal assessment, I wait for the disappointment to hit me, for the panic of a newfound weakness to descend.

But it never does.

You put up these barriers no one can climb over but at the end of the day, the only person you’re blocking is yourself.

The memory of Nico’s confrontation floods my mind, and I can’t help but think maybe there was more truth in his argument than I gave him credit for.

I’m supposed to be on my way home for the weekly office meeting, but the moment I spot Cody’s blonde fauxhawk weaving through the crowd, I adjust my path to intercept him.

“Ellsworth!”

He turns at my voice and gives me a grin, “Hey, Mo. Didn’t realize you’d still be on campus at this hour.”

I sneak a quick glance at my watch and throw away any intention of making it to my meeting on time. Steven will have to entertain everyone with his latest misinterpretation of our financial data until I arrive.

“I’m not usually, but one of your captains needed to have a word with me after practice.” I nod towards the textbooks piled in his arms, “On your way to class?”

Cody nods, “My next class is in the science building if you’re up for the walk.”

“Lead the way.”

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