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“Fan-fucking-tastic,” he says. “Which of you dickless twats is getting me an apology beer?”

“Apology beer?” Drew echoes.

Doug narrows his eyes in my direction. “An apology for inviting this tosser on our night out.”

“Doug,” Drew warns.

Mika slides out from the booth. “I’ll get the next round in.”

“Is this some sort of parent-trap bullshit?” Doug says, his eyes still narrowed as he glares at me.

Drew sighs and places his hand on Doug’s shoulder. “I thought perhaps if you could just talk in a relaxed environment, you’d find some things you have in common. You know, like the fact you’re both ex-professional swimmers.”

I try not to wince at his wording, but Doug catches it, his gray eyes flashing.

“How many medals did you win,Lame?”

My jaw clenches. The first couple of times he called me that, I figured it was his accent. This time, there’s no mistaking it.

“Doug,” Drew reprimands. “You’re being an asshole.Laneis here to stay, so put on your big boy pants and suck it up.”

I hold his glare, refusing to back down. “Look. I get it. If I was Coach and my boss hired someone without telling me, I’d be pissed too. But it’s not on me.”

“He’s right,” Mika says, placing the bottles down on the table. “If you want to be pissed at someone, be pissed at Elizabeth West.”

Doug glares at him, then snatches up one of the beers and downs half before slamming it down on the table with enough force that the liquid foams up the neck.

Mika clears his throat. “Did you see the game the other night? I thought—”

“The question is,” Doug interrupts, “why did West choose you? What does she think you can bring to the team that I haven’t? It’s complete and utter bollocks. You’re a fucking nobody.”

“Let me out,” I snap at Mika.

He doesn’t hesitate, sliding out of the booth to free me. Shaking with rage, I point a finger in Doug’s face. “I’ve had enough of your fucking shit. No wonder West hired someone else. You’re a goddamn man child. Fuck you. And fuck this job.”

I turn on my heel and march in the direction of the bathroom. It’s cold as fuck outside, and I got a cab here, thinking I’d be a lot drunker when it was time to leave. I should have driven. My hands are still shaking as I push open the door. I’ll order a ride and when it’s near, I’ll make a run for it.

My eyes sting. This is some serious bullshit. I’m hiding in the fucking bathroom like a teenager at prom. I can’t do this. Tomorrow, I’m drafting my letter of resignation. Yeah, this job pays really fucking well, but it’s not worth it. It’s just not. Especially as Joy hasn’t so much as looked at me yet. I was delusional thinking this would be anything other than a fucking disaster.

The door opens behind me, and I close my eyes, hoping it’s not one of the guys come to check on me. I’m in no state to deal with Mika’s jokes or Drew’s reassuring words right now.

“You can’t just call me a fucking man child and then storm off like a toddler.”

I sigh, my fists clenching at my side as I turn to face him. “Haven’t you had enough, Doug? Aren’t you fucking tired?”

He stalks up to me, and even though my brain tells me to hold my ground, I step backwards, my spine meeting with the cold white tiles.

“I’ll have enough when you quit,” he snarls, close enough that I can feel the warmth of his breath on my face.

He’s a couple of inches shorter than my six foot three and I stare him down, even as exhaustion pleads with me to roll over and give in. “Why should I? I got this job fair and square. It’s not my problem you’re doing a crappy job with the team.”

Doug’s fist slams into the tiles beside my head and I flinch, my teeth gritted. He keeps his hand there, caging me in, and each ragged inhale draws his rich woody, amber scent into my lungs, filling me with a longing to lean closer, coating myself in its warmth.What the fuck?

“Why do you care so much?” I bite out. “Why is this such a big deal?”

He’s breathing hard, each inhale causing his broad chest to brush with mine. I watch as his gray eyes flit over my face, lingering on my mouth. Instinctively, my tongue darts out to wet them and he stares, leaning a little closer.

My eyes widen and he must sense my surprise because he pulls back, just a fraction, his gaze locking with mine.

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