Page 203 of His Hungry Wolf

“Thanks. And, not wanting to leave the guys without a coach, I volunteered. But, I was thinking, how great would it be if you with your experience came and gave them a little talk? You know, nothing formal. I think it would be thrilling for them. Maybe you can inspire them to get their asses in gear.

“And, honestly, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m trying but, I could always use the feedback. What do you say? You have any interest in coming over and talking to a few talented kids?”

“I would love to,” I said looking at Quin. “I’ll have to talk to Quin about it, but I think we can swing by.”

“Would you? That would be incredible! I’ll text you the address. And if you get here around two, I’ll give you a tour of the school. It has a rich history.”

“I’ll talk to Quin.”

“Great! I’ll see you soon,” Titus said ending the call.

“What did he say?” Quin asked having not taken his eyes off of me.

“He wants me to come by and talk to his high school football team.”

“You agreed?”

“It’s not like we have anything else to do,” I told him.

Quin didn’t disagree.

Over the next few hours, we lounged around, made out a little, and took back the crutches Glen had lent me.

“Were they useful?” Glen asked.

“Definitely!” I said having barely used them at all.

“How did your meeting with Nero go?”

“He wasn’t at the diner. But Titus is taking us to see him tonight,” Quin replied while I attempted to make myself invisible. “Is there anything we should know before we do? The first time we ran into him, it didn’t go well.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. He’s always been a little prickly. I’ve known him from when he was a kid and he hasn’t changed much since then.”

“Is it because he’s a wolf shifter? Are all wolf shifters angry?”

Glen stared a Quin with his mouth open trying to decide what to say. He had clearly been reluctant last night, but staring into Quin’s vulnerable eyes he softened.

“Are you asking me if there is something about shifting that makes you angry?”

“Kind of.”

“No. There is nothing about shifting that turns you into something you wouldn’t have become otherwise. Again, I’m very hesitant to say much, but I’ve met some wonderfully kind people who shift. Nero has problems he has been dealing with for years.”

“What do you mean?”

Glen’s eyes met mine before I turned my attention to the clothing rack in front of me.

“Nero has issues at home. But, he’s not a bad kid. I got to know him a few years ago when he had adopted Tom as his father figure.”

“What happened to his father?” Quin asked.

“Not sure. I don’t think he ever knew him. It’s tough growing up without one.”

“It can be tough growing up with one,” I said unable to help myself.

Glen looked at me. “It can be. When parents disappoint you, it has a way of leaving a mark.”

“I know a little something about that,” I said turning to Quin who grew up with at least one parent who wasn’t an actual monster.