Page 38 of Step Alpha

Guilt twists in my solar plexus at that. I definitely don’t deserve that kind of response from him. Not after I took his gift of football and wiped my ass with it.

“Yeah?” My throat closes around the word.

“I’ll tell you what. I could use an assistant coach. You had leadership skills when you were team captain. Skills that you seem to have squandered. I’d like to see them return.”

“Fuck, Coach, really?”

His look hardens. “Language, Woodward.”

“Sorry, Coach.”

“You’re going to have to pull your head out of your ass, though.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I won’t have you on the field if you’re not pulling your weight. That means if you do anything at all to drag down the morale or honor of this team, you’re banished. Got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Are you using drugs, Wilde?”

I grind my teeth. It’s a valid question, considering the circumstances. I could be using drugs. A shifter would always pass a drug test because we metabolize so quickly.

“No, sir.”

“Do you have any in your possession–I don’t just mean on your person, I mean anywhere here in Wolf Ridge?”

“No, sir.”

“And you’ll keep it that way.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Did you bring a change of clothes?”

I nod. I have a gym bag in the Jeep.

“Get changed. See you out on the field.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

“Don’t let me down, Woodward.”

“I won’t, sir.”

The bell rings as I’m walking out. I find Rayne slouched against the Jeep, looking uncomfortable.

It bothers the fuck out of me. Maybe that’s why I’m a dick to her. I want to see more of that fire and less of the fading flower.

“I’m staying for practice. Looks like I can’t take you to get your driver’s license until Saturday. And you’ll have to wait for your ride, Runt.”

She pushes off from the Jeep. “I guess it worked out with Coach Jamison?”

I should thank her. She’s the one who helped me crack the riddle. But I’m feeling dickish, so I just frown at her. “It worked. Sit here in the Jeep and wait.” I unlock the door.

“For two hours? No, thank you. I’ll find another way home.”

All I can think of is that human bastard, Lincoln. I grab her elbow and yank her back to face me. “The hell you will,” I growl, lowering my head to get eye-to-eye with her. “I told you to get in the Jeep and wait for me. Now, do as you’re told.”

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