Page 6 of Scrum Heat

Finn winces, and Rory flinches, the pair of them visibly pained.

“I don’t believe this! Imissedthem.”

“Where were you viewing?” Theo asks. “Maybe we can call them.”

“I…Well,” I half-laugh. “I, ah... Where do Istart?One was a loft bed over a boiler, one had a communal murder shower, and the third was a garage with—and I quote—studio potential.”

“Wait, you mean the one that just got listed as open-concept with flexible plumbing?” Rory asks dryly.

“Yes! It came with optional hot water.”

Theo raises a brow. “How optional are we talking, here?”

“Very,” I snap. “And don't look at me like that, alright? At least it would bemymaybe-scalding, potentially-toxic hot water.”

“Could you go home?” Finn suggests.

“What—you mean to mymother’shouse?” I ask. “Absolutely not. She’s already texted metwicethis week asking if I’ve reconnected with god and remembered Nigel exists.”

“Nigel?” Jax frowns.

“Her friend’s son,” I explain. “It's a long story. But he calls kissing ‘yum-yum time.’”

Theo gags, and Finn takes an actual step backward.

“See? I can’t go back. She keeps the thermostat at seventeen degrees and makes me drink rooibos tea because she thinks caffeine makes omegas too provocative.” I throw myself back dramatically on the pillow. “Heaven help me: I’m going to end up in a conservatory by Christmas.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Jax says, quiet but firm.

“...Sorry?”

“You’re staying,” he repeats.

“I’ve fainted twice. There’s no way Evie’s still planning to hire me, and I can’t exactly just stay without a job.”

“She’s still hiring you,” Rory says.

Finn nods. “You’ve got the job. Trust me—Evie’s seen worse.”

“Muchworse,” Theo adds. “One guy she interviewed a few months back turned up in a cape and asked if the team had any spiritual weaknesses.”

“Let's give credit where credit's due, though,” Finn chimes in again. “That cape wasexcellent, and he's a great facilities manager.”

“Wait, she still hired him?!” I ask.

“Yep! See, that's what we're saying—there's no way she won't still hire you. Besides, you don't need to view those other places. We’ve got the guest room empty, ready and waiting.”

“Wait—what?”

“You were always going to have the offer of staying at the players’ house,” Rory says. “It’s in the contract.”

“That’syourhouse?!”

Finn perks up. “You knew we had one?”

“Yes! Well, no. Kind of. I assumed by players, Evie meant some crusty forty-somethings with slow knees; not...” I gesture to the alpha apocalypse before me, “...this.”

Theo flexes. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

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