Page 14 of The Chase

Autumn:I'm going to kick his ass! Don't listen to it! x

Avery:Everyone is talking, but siding with you on this one. Don't forget the ass kicking!

That's the second time someone has told me not to listen to it. It's like telling me not to eat the last bite of cake. Cake is gone, y'all. If I’m tempted, I’m going to eat the whole thing! Maybe I need to know what's been said so I know how to respond effectively, and while I punch him, I can quote the bits I hate. I'd seen that in a movie once and really wanted to do it. I have to be able to defend my honor.

I pull my buds from my pocket and put them in, lock up, and leave the apartment with Harry's opening line already starting as I head down the stairs.

'Hey, OTs! Today I have the best episode for you! So, you've heard about our Wolf and his claims on Mia Hark. Who? I hear you ask! Let me tell you all abouther as we've been friends for years and I'm here with all the deets.'

Get in line, Avery, because Harry is going to die.

CHAPTER FIVE ¦OFF TOPIC

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Austin

"Whitlock!"

Fuck.How does he knowthe precise second when I'm not in the zone? "Coach!"

Blue eyes study me. I’m certain that the man can read minds. "What's going on?"

"Coach?" I ask, holding my shit together, poker face coming through, and it’s a shit one judging by the sly smirk on Coach’s lips.

"Don't bullshit me."

Coach rarely cusses.

"You're off on your erg, you look like you haven't slept in a week, and I've heard things."

I narrow my eyes.

He sighs. "Not from your boys."

I nod. We have a code. Shit stays in house, and if there is to be any shit, we talk it throughin house."I went into it with Zac." I had to tell him the truth. Any hint of a lie has never been the right move when it comes to Coach.

Coach pulls his hat off, pushing a hand through hair that looks greyer than yesterday. "He start it?" His lips thin.

"He was man-handling a woman."

"It's true, Coach, he wouldn't take his hands off her."

Coach nods as he puts his hat back on. Sharp eyes look at us individually. "Stay away from him, he’s always been trouble. We have the regatta coming up. If you want to beat him, you beat his ass in the water, understood?"

"And if he starts something when we're out?" Kit asks, taking his balls into his own hands.

Brave fucker.

I also want the answer to this, but I like my balls where they are.

Coach glares at Kit. "You got a problem with self-control, Wilder?"

Kit stands straighter. "No, sir."

"Then you walk away, unless the cops need to be involved, then you call them, and you call me as priority number two. Understood?"

We nod. Coach walks away before turning again. "The woman okay?"

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