Page 365 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

Rick

The sessions today were brutal. My shoulder hurts from the abuse it took, essentially opening up an old war wound—one I’ll never allow to slow me down.

Not if I find a way to overcome it first. My calves burn, and every part of me feels the workout I put my body through today.

It’s clear I need to work much harder at getting in shape. It’s also clear age is not on my side.

When Finn suggested heading out, I groaned.

But the younger members—which means, the rest of the team—cheered.

As the captain, I need to pick my battles, and this—the entire team coming together for the first time to practice and wanting to head out to blow off some steam—is not one of those times.

So, after getting my shoulder wrapped up by the team doctor, I took a long hot shower, making sure to keep the dressing dry.

Then, I pulled on the extra pair of street-clothes I kept in my locker in the locker room.

No, I wasn't too cowardly to go up to my room. Cowardice had nothing to do with the fact I didn’t want to see her before I headed out.

Not after she’d turned me down. Why did I ask her in the first place?

A question that still confuses me. It’s not like I want to date her.

It’s not like I want anything to do with her.

Although, she is my roomie, so running into her is unavoidable.

It’s another reason I agreed to head out.

Best to stay out of her way until she’s asleep.

Not even the fact that we have to report for training at five a.m. tomorrow had me turning down Finn’s suggestion. So here we are. Me and my best friend, who’s grinning at me like the joke’s on me. Which it is, of course.

"No need to sound so happy." I heft the mug of draft, the only one I’m allowing myself this evening, considering someone has to be sober to ensure none of us got into trouble. Also, I don’t mind being that person, since I’m not going to test my body’s recuperative powers to that extent… Yet.

"Never seen you look this crushed man," Finn drawls.

"This"—I stab a finger in the direction of my features—"is not the face of a man who’s crushed in any way. This is a man who’s questioning why the hell he did it in the first place. And then, why he told you about it."

"From the looks of it, I think you owe me." Another voice sounds from my other side. Manning 'Odds' LeBlanc, extends his arm, and Finn groans before slapping a note in his palm.

I sit back on my stool. "You guys had a bet." I glance between them.

"My nickname’s Odds, remember?" He smirks.

"What are the bets I’m gonna make you run five extra miles tomorrow?"

"Aww, Stone—"

"Ten then.”

He hangs his head. "You’re no fun, mate. I call this an abuse of power."

"I call this the best way to train a team." I allow my lips to twitch. "Better make the most of tonight. After this, we’re not gonna see the inside of a bar for a long time."

"Jesus, you’re killing me here, man." He reaches for my mug of beer and drains it. Before I can protest, he touches his forefinger to his forehead, then spins around and heads over to join two of our teammates who’re talking to some women.

"Jeez, don’t you think that was unnecessarily harsh? This is not the military, man."

"The basics are the same." I raise a shoulder. "Time for the kids to man up. Playing a game on ice is no less lethal than facing down your opponent on the war front. You need to focus; you need to be present and grounded. You need to be there completely—"

"And they will be."

"Not if they’re running around getting pissed and—"

"—flirting with your girl."

"What?"

Finn nods in the direction that Manning headed off in.

I follow his gaze to find him and his buddies—I recognize Caspian, Jax and Jagger crowded around the luscious figure of a woman with waves of blonde hair tumbling down her back.

She’s wearing a dress that ends mid-thigh, in a red that stands out amongst their jeans and dark jackets.

She’s teamed it with over-the-knees boots with six-inch heels that add height to her figure.

But in comparison to the men hulking over her, she seems delicate and vibrant and a flame that I can’t help but be drawn to.

I raise my mug of beer, realize it’s empty and slam it back on the counter. Then I slide off the barstool.

"You realize he’s going to win another bet?" Finn cautions.

"And I’m going to make him give me another hundred push-ups if he does that."

Finn barks out a laugh. "Easy, old man, you’re losing your sense of humor.

"Never had one to begin with. It’s why I’m called Stone, remember?" I begin to walk toward the men when she rises up on tip toe.

She kisses Manning on his cheek, pats Caspian on his shoulder, and nods at Jax and Jagger before making her way through the crowd and toward the hallway that leads in the direction of the ladies' room. As I pass the team, they grin at me.

"Better be careful, Stone, she might be too much for you to handle," Caspian scoffs.

"You’d better be careful, Prick, or the practice sessions might get too much for you to handle." I head after her.

"Wait, did he say, Prick? Why the fuck did he say, Prick? It’d better not be my fucking call-sign. Hey Stone, how is it you get to pick your call-sign but the rest of us don’t?" Caspian calls out after me.

"Because I’m the captain." I raise my finger over my shoulder.

"I need to lodge a protest. " His irate voice follows me.

"Noted and dismissed," I drawl, then continue on in the direction she disappeared.

That’s what he gets for coming onto my girl— Whoa, hold on, not my girl. She's just my roomie. I’m looking out for my roommate. That’s allowed, right?

I head down the hallway, and down the corridor toward the restrooms. I spot her at the far end. Her back is to me and she’s talking to a man who looks somewhat familiar. As I draw closer, she tries to brush past him, but he places his hand on her hip.

Something inside me snaps: my heart rate accelerates. My feet don’t seem to hit the floor as I hurry toward them. She pushes against his chest, and his smile widens. Mother. Fucker. I draw abreast, then grab him by his neck and throw him into the wall.

"Get away from her," I growl.