42. Wren
42
WREN
Stefan and I are arguing in the middle of a bar. Normally, we argue behind closed doors and not in such a public place, but seeing his hands on that bunny bitch fired me up. The barbs started flying and neither of us were backing down.
When the goalie from The Crushers says something, indicating he knows we’re hooking up, we both look over to him. I’m too shocked to reply but Stefan snaps at him. Then he utters eight words that hurt, “Fuck off, Jones, she’s my handler. That’s it.”
I know to everyone else, that’s all I am. So I don’t know why I’m so upset over his words but I’m more than that, and hearing him verbalize it crushed me. This is why I should never have gotten involved with a client, even in secret. Tears well in my eyes and before anyone can say anything else, I race away from him and head toward the restrooms for a breather.
Swinging the restroom door open, I meet a stunned Chelsea when the door flies into the wall with a thud. Then I see her friend and the Crushers PT, I think that’s her role. Pushing past them, I head into a stall and lock the door behind me.
Leaning against it, I close my eyes and swallow back a sob.
“Fuck off, Jones, she’s my handler. That’s it.”
Those words hurt more than anything he’s ever done to me.
Covering my mouth, I shake my head as the first tear falls. I need to get out of here, I can’t be here when he just thinks of me as his handler because I feel more.
I
Love
Stefan D?uchmen.
I’m so in love with Stefan D?uchmen but, right now, I pucking hate to love him. He really is a douche. I should have known better.
Dropping my head back, I stare up at the fluorescent light above me and shake my it side-to-side. “I fucking hate him,” I mumble. Taking a deep cleansing breath, I unlock the door and when I open it, I come face-to-face with Chelsea. I totally forgot she and her friend were in here. She has concern etched on her face but I can’t deal with her, or anyone, right now so I mumble, “Excuse me.”
Looking at my feet, I race past them and pull the door open. Stepping out into the hallway, I walk toward the exit. I’ve only taken a few steps when an arm reaches out and grabs me. A tiny yelp slips out, and I’m spun around and slammed into the wall of the corridor. A muscular body cocoons me, and I close my eyes in fear but when I’m assaulted with a scent I’d recognize anywhere, I open them and stare up into his chocolate-brown eyes.
I don’t want to talk to him right now so through clenched teeth, I growl, “Back the fuck up, Stefan.” I press my hands into his chest but he doesn’t move, even though the tone of my voice means business.
Stefan utters two words that I never thought I’d hear him ever say, much less to a woman. The words “I’m sorry” pass through his lips.
What the actual fuck?
Stefan D?uchmen just apologized.
“Stefan, I …” But I don’t know what to say. “I need to go. I … I can’t do this right now.”
With a strength I didn’t know I possessed, I push him away from me and make my escape. Racing through the bar, I head back to the hotel where the team is staying. I know my job is to look out for Stefan but, right now, I need to look out for me.
Arriving back at the hotel, I cross the lobby and enter the elevator. It stops on the pool level and Leif enters. “Wren,” he says by way of greeting.
“Coach,” I offer with a smile.
“Everything okay?”
“Just peachy,” I lie, and from the look he gives me, he knows I’m full of shit. “I’m handling Stefan’s antics from tonight,” I tell him.
“At least he answered you. He ignored my calls.”
I wish I could ignore him . “Guess I’m doing my job then.” I smile at him as the elevator arrives at my floor. “Night,” I whisper and before he can say anything, I exit and head to my room.
Opening the door, I kick off my sneakers and climb onto the bed. Resting my back against the headboard, I pull a pillow to my chest, hug it, and cry.
A few minutes later, my bladder lets me know it’s full, so I climb off the bed and head to the bathroom. With my bladder empty, I open the mini bar and grab the bottle of wine. It’s a chardonnay, not my favorite variety, but it’s alcohol. And to add to my night, it’s one with a cork. With the bottle finally open, I forgo a glass and chug straight from the bottle.
My face scrunches up at the taste, and I place the bottle on the counter. As much as I need alcohol, I cannot do the chardonnay. My phone pings with a text; it’s Evie.
EVIE
You want me to come to your hotel and we can drink wine and throw darts at Doucheman’s face?
WREN
As much as that sounds like fun, I just want to be alone. Tonight was…
But I don’t know how to explain it to her without spilling my secret, but before I can make something up, she texts me back.
EVIE
I’m here whenever you’re ready
… and if you need an alibi, I’m your girl.
WREN
Thanks, babe … Nite
EVIE
Nite nite Xo
Walking back to the bed, I strip off my clothes, leaving me in the sexy lingerie set I bought for tonight. At least I can appreciate how good I look. Falling onto the mattress, I stare up at the ceiling and the last thought I have before sleep overtakes me is that I need to start looking for a new job.
The sound of my phone ringing startles me, and I’m confused for a few seconds. Reaching over to the bedside table, I grab it. “Hello,” I sleepily mumble. The digits on the alarm clock let me know it’s super early in the morning.
“Hey, Wren, it’s me,” Stefan morosely says.
“Why are you calling me at stupid o’clock, did you do something stupid?”
“Yeah, I, umm, can you bail me out?”
Sitting up, my eyes widen and now I’m wide awake. “For fuck’s sake, Stefan, what did you do now?”
“I kinda got into a bar fight with Kallen, and we both got arrested.”
“Fucking hell,” I groan. “Which station?” He tells me which precinct he’s at. “I’ll be there soon.”
Pulling on last night’s clothes, I put my Chucks on and grab my things to head to bail out my client.