Tamed V Read Online Free PDF Page A

my car at the bar. I don’t apologize for last night—neither does he, but I know we’re cool. He needs to work on not running his mouth so damn much and I need to get a handle on my temper.
    “I’ll see you at the center,” he says, leaving me in the empty bar parking lot.
    I stop by one of the coffee shops downtown on the way to work. I’ve just placed my order when I feel a hand on my shoulder.
    Bird.
    “Not surprised to see you here today,” she laughs.
    “Yeah, I figured caffeine would make it better.” I look around but don’t see Felix. “You off duty?”
    She nods. “Felix had a play date. My sister-in-law is napping. What about you?”
    “I’ve got to go in to work,” I say. She looks a little defeated, which makes me happy. I add, “Then the game tonight.”
    “Another night, another game.”
    “Welcome to my life.”
    We move away from the counter and I rub my hand over the back of my neck. “Thanks for giving me a ride home last night. Wrapping my Jeep around a telephone pole would have sucked.”
    “Anytime,” she says.
    We stand awkwardly together. I’ve never talked to a girl like this, where we just talked and didn’t take it further. And to be honest, all I want is to take it further, but I like her, too. In that talking kind of way.
    Everything is weird.
    “So last night,” she says, diving into the weirdness. I should have known. Something about Hollis seems fearless. “You and me.”
    God, she hated that kiss. Fuck. I scramble to make an apology. “Yeah, sorry about that. Can I claim drunken douche?”
    “I’m a big girl Tucker. I can handle a little drunken kiss.” She looks at me from under heavy eyelids. “Or more.”
    I swallow, taking in that information. “Good to know.”
    She raises an eyebrow.
    “So you’ll be there tonight?” I ask. I want to add something dirty, I want to touch her but I restrain myself.
    Hollis holds up her coffee cup in a mock toast. “In my team colors.”
    Is it wrong I’m hoping she’s talking about her underwear? God, please wear red underwear.
    “So I’ll see you then,” she prompts when I’ve gone silent thinking about her panties.
    “Right, tonight.”
     
    *
     
    I think about her all day. While I’m organizing rosters and the game lists. While Adrian and I reline the fields. It’s menial work but it keeps me close to the game I love. It’s all I have right now.
    Other than my increasing thoughts about Bird.
    I’m going over the final roster at Adrian’s desk when our supervisor Daniel comes in. Daniel’s a legend in Columbus. He knows everyone in town. He keeps tabs on all the players, makes referrals for them once they get to middle and high school. He’s probably the main pulse on the league, other than the high school coach.
    “Tucker,” he says, pulling up a chair. “You got a minute?”
    “Sure.” I stick the pencil behind my ear.
    “I got a call from Atlanta today. There’s a high school assistant coaching position opening up. They’re interested in you going out for the job.”
    I don’t even think about it. I can’t. I just say, “Sounds like a great opportunity.”
    He and I look at one another for a moment. “Son, you can’t volunteer around here forever.”
    “What? You’ve got someone to replace me?”
    “That’s kind of the point. You’re not replaceable. You’re one of a kind. The best athlete I’ve had come through here in a dozen years. Don’t let what happened with your dad hold you back.”
    If anyone else had said it, I’d probably take a swing. But not Daniel, he’s stuck by me through all of this. The night we got the news. The funeral. The decision about school. My choice to stay in Columbus and skip the tryouts. He stuck by me even if he didn’t like all of my choices.
    “They need me.”
    He readjusts the cap on his head and I see his graying hair. “They do. But they’ll manage. She’ll manage.”
    “Are you kidding? She can barely keep her head out of her