Page 115 of Jerk

I don’t look at him when I respond. “If you’re too stupid to remember what happens when you make a pass at a Crown’s girl, that’s on you, Vince.”

He stalls, piecing it together. “So youarewith Rowen.”

“That shouldn’t scare you.” My heels clack towards him, my eyes narrowing into his lizard greens. “Committing assault should scare you so much more. But I dare you to try what you did at the party again because this time, I’ll be the first to hit you. Rye will be the last.” His mouth opens and closes like he’s looking for an answer. Like he’s trying to weigh the pros and cons of what he wants to do. But instead of waiting, I move towards the office.

“He’ll disappoint you,” Vince calls.

“You’re the last person who should warn me about a man.” He’s not worth looking over my shoulder. “He’s everything youcould never be.” With my chin pointed to the ceiling, I make my way into Coach’s office.

Coach sighs the minute I’m through the door. “Mister Rowen isn’t here.”

“I’m not here for him.” And with that, I close the door behind me. “Put him back on the team. You know he’s one of the best.”

“He slept with my wife,” Coach Winslow states like he's bored. He doesn't lift his head from what he’s writing, ignoring my presence.

“Oh, I know.” Reaching into my leather tote, I pull out a folder I know will put this conversation to rest. “I have your texts asking him to.” Placing the folder on the table, I show my cards, opening it to reveal large copies of their texts. “You told him to play the games, keep your wife smiling, and he gets ice time. Isn’t that true?” Now, Coach is quiet, his plump cheeks red. “What’ll happen when the board finds out about this?” I lean in, showing off what the Coach can’t have. “But I’ll keep this our little secret when you put Rye back on the team.”

“And what will you do if I show the dean you and lover-boy’s filthy romp in my office?”

Ew, he watched that?

Straightening up, I know this game. I play it well. “That’s nothing compared to what you’ve been complicit in. How much more embarrassing would that be for the school? You’ve seen his headlines. You know the power the press has.”

“Listen, I do what I have to do to keep everyone in my life happy.” He leans back in his chair as if he’s proud of his choices. “No matter what. And these papers don’t prove a thing.” He throws them back at me. “They’re just papers. Anyone can fabricate texts. What’s wrong? Are you jealous, sweetie?” He laughs. “You need to let this go.”

A smile spreads across my face before I pull my phone from between my tits. “Good thing I have this on video.” His entiredemeanour changes, sitting up in his seat. He swipes for the phone, but even in heels, I’m quicker, taking a large step back.

“So, what’ll it be, Coach?” His eyes move between me and the phone, inspired by Krystal's classic tactics.

Sometimes winning is simple.

“Turn it off!” he demands.

I shrug before doing as he says. “Sure, I already have everything I need."

“What’s in it for you, Alfonso?”

“Nothing,” I say, and for the first time, it’s true. “I just owe it to him.”

The room goes silent, like he’s running options through his head before his head hangs. Then he folds. “Tell him to join practice on Sunday. If he’s late, he’s out."

Rye

“You win.”

Hannah turns around in an outfit worthy of my attention. The delicate red lace clings to her skin, looking extra soft under the lights.

“I always win,” she says, twirling as the skinny gold chains attached to her lingerie sparkle in her eyes. “I knew you’d like it.”

The crystals attached to her harness lead to the cuffs on her wrist. They shimmer with her as she approaches me, and I can’t take my eyes off one bit. My crimson and gold shirt over my leather slacks is nothing in comparison. I'm covered up tonight. I don't have the patience if any other girl gets the wrong idea.

I'm here for her. Her only.

Jesus, who the fuck am I?

“I adore it.” Taking her hand, I pull her against me, the warmth of her skin permeating the silk on mine. Brushing her hair off her shoulder gives me access to her ear. “But I want it and you on the floor.”

Her cheeks turn that hint of red, and I want to bite into them. “Tonight’s big, Rye. Real big. And you’re distracting me.”