Page 2 of The Chase

“Surely the wolf can deal with it,” I say, deadpan.

Lucas side eyes me. We all know the reputation around campus, and the one my crew know. How the hell can I be any sort of Alpha when I can’t think of anything else?

Not one word had been uttered between us, and from that, I don’t know what to do with myself.I’d tried looking on social media but what the hell am I meant to search, running girl?Pretty green eyes? That search had come up with an old as fuck song, even if it had been quite catchy.I shake my head at Lucas, my mop of dark hair wet from sweat.Most everyone has the same short back and sides, and as annoying as the mop is, I won't shave it off.

The need to protect had been ingrained in me since that life-changing moment.

That’s the only reason she’s in my head.Because she’d needed me. She’ll soon drop out, especially with the regatta coming up.

"Time!"

I pull short of the full row, feeling enough burn, and grab my water bottle, chugging like my life depends on it.Life as one of Boston Brooks University rowers had been gloriously uncomplicated until she’d walked into it.But I won’t let my rowing stats take a beating because of this blip.

Blip?

She’s one persistent fucking blip, for sure.

I’m the best rower there is, and yes, I can be a cocky bastard when it comes to the stats."We heading to Momma's after drills?"

Lucas nods, dark eyes trained on me."Are you really going to discuss a woman over pancakes?I don’t want indigestion."

My brows rise. Interesting.He actually wants to know.

"And that's your first problem," Kit murmurs, interrupting what I might have thought up as a response.“If it was nothing, you wouldn’t be making it into something.”

I stare at him, noticing the humor firing up in the olive green.“What’s with the philosophical answer?”

I can't remember Kit ever taking anything seriously, he’s the Banter King.He doesn't make the best decisions, an example being the buzz cut he'd got three weeks back, but he will always laugh about it.

"Leave the guy alone." Sawyer saunters past us, already laughing.His build surpasses mine, with shoulders more heavy set.Lord knows why he doesn’t have woman issues when he looks like the next Avenger.The BB letters are emblazed on the back of his head as the hat he wears is backwards, hiding his dark curls.Baby blues smile at me.

"Walk it down." Coach Thompson nods, happy with what he's seen.His grey hair pushing out from underneath the light blue cap with BB in navy letters.

My new Bonts, perfect footwear for rowing, and a must, hit heavy against the wooden floor.The doors are open and ready for us to step out into the cool weather, the rising sun already casts the first color of the day, the calm water a welcome distraction.It was the stillness I'd needed when I'd started rowing, and I crave that now more than ever.

I saunter into Dexter's, our local student bar, desperate for a beer.My level of pissed off had risen the second I’d received my grade.Failed assignment number three.And then it had hit the roof when the Twitter Twins had advanced.Or X Twins if you wanna hit the recent name change.I don’t like it. Their request?A double date. A threesome. Fuck me.They’re sisters!

As I survey the usual suspects in the bar, my saunter falters.Her lashes flick up, familiar eyes dazzle as they land on my face.I see surprise hit as a blush touches her high cheek bones.Full lips are shaped in surprise.Now why the hell have I never seen her in my bar before?I don’t care and I send a thankful prayer to whoever that she’s here.It won’t be too long before I’m tasting the balm that shimmers there.I’m not the wolf of the campus, but I’m a man with a certain taste for her.She’s flanked by her friends, and the redhead looks mean.

"Whitlock, you talking?" Kit questions loudly, nodding not so subtly towards her.

Do they know she’s my reason for the lack of focus?I shake my head, the music hitting my back teeth and irritating as I join my friends."I need a beer."

I’d avoided the many eyes tracking my stride to our corner.I’m not going to be the ass who looks over at their corner every five seconds, but I feel like I’ve done a Marty McFly and zipped back to fifth grade where I’m trying to flirt with the girl.I know, can feel, her eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.

"You need to go over there and talk to her," Lucas encourages.

I study him, noting the signs."My man, I think you're struggling as much as I am." I follow his gaze to the redhead.

She looks as approachable as a rattlesnake.

"I'll do it when you take the first step."

The challenge brushes up against me, but I see it for what it is."I'll let you know when I decide," I chuckle.

Kit returns with more Buds.Elite don’t get refused beer, no matter their age.The cops don’t mess with it. I take the bottle to continue to quench the thirst she creates.I see that the Bay Scullers are in the house, even though we’ve told them plenty of times that they aren’t welcome here.They have their own bar, but Zac likes to piss us off.

I neck my beer, my eyes tracking his movement.Even I’m surprised by the size of his balls as I watch him crash and burn at her table.The very reason I’d not bothered.

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