I shake my head. “You can’t believe that. There’s no way to prove it.”
“Well, not until you’re gone. Coach probably expects a drop.”
Coach didn’t put it that way, but it’s an echo of what he said.Sigh.I guess everyone is counting on Captain Ace to pull through.
I don’t want to think about it. I know just the change in topic. “Hey, so, do you think Professor VanCourt gives Daddy vibes?”
They raise their brows in sync.
“Did you just figure that out?” Bender says.
“I just?—”
“Cap’s usually the Daddy,” Shep supplies.
“Yeah,” I agree, forcing a laugh, but it hits a little too close to home. To the thoughts I’ve been turning over since Professor VanCourt showed up in my life. I’ve always been the top, the jacket giver.
But the professor is so damn alpha, he didn’t have to bother with finding a new one—he used my own jacket to collar me.
My phone buzzes on the side table near the hot tub, and my heart stops. Can he hear us talking about him? I mentally snicker at the name I gave him in my phone.
Wolf Daddy
I don’t recall giving you permission to get into a hot tub with other men.
Me
Why? Jealous?
Wolf Daddy
Get out of the hot tub, McKinnon.
Fuuuuckthat. He won’t admit to being jealous, and then he’s a bossy asshole? I mean, I guess that’s his charm, but still. I won’t make it easy for him.
Me
Nah. Don’t think I will. My muscles might seize, and then who will we have to score the winning goal against North Point next weekend?
And I actually press send on that shit, too, immediately regretting it. That’s not gonna get me good boy points, but I’m so fucking reactive sometimes. To be fair, he pulls the brat from me as easily as dropping gloves on the ice.
I make a show of putting my phone back on the ledge, hoping he can see me from whatever dark corner he’s spying from.
It buzzes a couple more times before it goes quiet, but I ignore it in favor of complaining about Coach with the guys for another half hour.
When I do finally check my phone much later, there’s a string of tummy-swooping threats.
Wolf Daddy
Hmmm, thought you’d want to be a good boy for Daddy?
You’ll pay for your disobedience, princess.
Perfect.
Also, noted.
If good behavior isn’t getting his attention, maybe I just have to be a fucking brat instead.
