Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
I stop reading, having found the connection. McLendon and Navarro were in junior hockey with the Wraiths at the same time. But what could have happened back then that still fuels such animosity?
Determined to find out directly from the source, I hurriedly get dressed and say goodbye to everyone. “See you guys later,” I call out, heading toward the exit.
“Have fun, King!” Rafferty shouts after me, but I’m already halfway down the hall, making my way to the Rebels’ locker room. As I approach, two of the Rebels are exiting and they look surprised to see me there. Visits to enemy territory don’t often happen and I’m met with a glare.
“Where’s McLendon?” I ask.
“What’s it fucking to you?” one asks with clear hostility. I did, after all, drop my gloves and bloody his lip.
I lie through my teeth. “I want to apologize to him.”
There’s a degree of skepticism on their faces but one throws his thumb toward the doorway. “He’s still inside.”
“Thanks,” I say and lean against the wall to wait. The two Rebels walk down the hall that leads to an exit where their bus awaits.
It doesn’t take long before McLendon emerges, his head bowed over his phone with both thumbs moving quickly on the screen.
I step in front of him, blocking his path, and his head pops up in surprise. “We need to talk,” I say.
McLendon’s eyes narrow. “About what?”
“What was that dirty play about?” I demand, my voice low but firm. “Penn didn’t deserve that.”
McLendon scoffs, clearly unimpressed. “He deserved it and more.”
“You say that,” I murmur as I step closer, refusing to back down, “but I’d like to know what it means.”
The man looks me dead in the eye, his expression hard. “I won’t waste my breath. I’d tell you to go ask your teammate, but that would be futile. You can’t trust Penn Navarro because only lies come out of him.”
Jesus fuck. His words are laced with poison and I hear utter hatred in his voice. Sure, Penn’s standoffish, but by all accounts, he’s a decent dude.
At least I think he is, but how can I really know? He never talks to us about anything other than hockey.
McLendon pushes past, leaving me standing there, more confused than ever. Something dark from Penn’s past is haunting him, and I’m going to find out what it is.
I glance at my watch and know that Willa’s waiting for me in the family lounge, but there are significant others who will keep her company.
I head back to the Titans’ locker room and straight for Penn’s cubby. He’s not there but his gear is, meaning he’s in the shower. I sit on the bench and I wait.
Luckily, Rafferty, North and Atlas have already headed out so they won’t be nosy and interfere. I want Penn to myself when I ask him what the hell is going on.
By the time he emerges, towel wrapped around his waist, most everyone has cleared out. I always suspected Penn takes longer than average showers to avoid the invitations to come party with the rest of us.
He blinks in surprise but then his expression slackens into disinterest. Still, he asks, “What’s up?”
“I want to know why McLendon went after you,” I say.
Penn shrugs, dropping his towel and slipping into a pair of boxer briefs. “He’s a dick. Simple as that.”
“True,” I reply, standing from the bench and moving closer to Penn. I lower my voice so that the remaining stragglers can’t hear. “You two played on the Wraiths together and I’m guessing that has something to do with it, but he wasn’t all that forthcoming when I approached him.”
Penn wheels on me and I’m stunned when he grabs my shirt and pushes me back into the locker. His face is rageful as he hisses, “What did he say?”
“Nothing,” I growl, pushing him off me. “He said to ask you.”
Penn takes a step back, brushes his fingers through his hair in agitation as he stares at the floor. Finally, he looks up to me before turning back to his cubby. “It’s nothing. Personal beef. Let it go.”
“I’m not going to let it go,” I say, once again stepping in closer. “Whatever happened just caused you to flip the fuck out when I asked you about it. Someone in the crowd called you a traitor and threw a bottle at you. Said you couldn’t be trusted. McLendon said you deserved the cross-check because there are some things he just won’t forgive. He called you a liar. I’m guessing whatever happened is why you don’t interact with your teammates and dude… I’m sick of it. So I want to know.”
I expect Penn to get angry again, but instead, his shoulders sag and he lets out a frustrated sigh. Lifting his eyes to me, he says, “I’m going to tell you but first you have to swear to me that you won’t tell another soul, and that you won’t ever mention it to me again.”