Page 1 of Bad Wolf
CHAPTERONE
KNOX
Ten hours ago
“Hey, Knox,”my baby brother, Jason, calls my name from beside me, just as I was drifting off for a nap. I’m lying on my stomach, letting the Miami sun warm my back. It’s February, and if there’s one thing this East Coaster needs, it’s some sun.
“Yeah?” I sigh, my forehead rolling on my crossed arms.
“Soak up the sun, dude. Rumors are flying about a Canadian host next year. Gunner just sent a text. His Mama’s saying it’s all anyone can talk about in his hometown.”
Every year the NHL breaks for a week. No games are played, and the season is put on hold. In its place, a city—this year it’s Miami—hosts the All-Star weekend, and yours truly got picked by the fans to attend.
“So you’re saying if none of us get picked, we’ll still have to drag our sorry asses up to Ontario?” I mumble into my arm. Gunner, our teammate, and my sister’s boyfriend, grew up just outside of Toronto, so if the Leafs host, he’ll be all over that shit.
“That’s the gist of his text. But in any case, I bet at least one of us could be nominated. Hell, it could be you again.”
As of our last game, I lead the Wolves in points scored, but every few games, that alternates between me and my brother, Casey, who’s also our captain. Jase, the bear currently casting an enormous shadow over me, is one of our rookie defensemen, meaning I’m fortunate enough to play the sport I love for a living with two of my favorite people.
I’m living the dream.
As I sink into this poolside lounger, with our biggest night out only hours away, I can’t help but wonder if it gets any better than this.
Representing my team in the All-Star game this weekend, while on a luxury vacation in a swanky hotel with my family and closest teammates, ready to throw my cousin, Theo, an epic bachelor party.
It was a no-brainer for Theo to celebrate this week. With us all being off and headed to the same place, it was easy to organize, especially given the location. All he really needed to do was make sure his fiancé’s family was available.
When we all woke late this morning, everyone in our group opted to recharge and laze by this incredibly inviting, turquoise, ocean-facing pool. The last few days have been lit, and with only a few days left of our vacation—mine being shorter than everyone else’s—it’s important to make every minute count.
Hence, my almost-nap.
I squint up at Jase, or Nerd, as he’s affectionally known. He hates the nickname, which is why we never fail to use it. The joke of it is, he’s smarter than all of us. Quick-witted, big-brained, and with a hockey IQ the rest of us would give our left nut for, he’s still one of the sweetest kids you’ll ever meet.
He’s also the most trouble, even though I get tarred with that brush all the time. He’s just smart enough to get away with it.
His cheeks have started to turn pink and I’m not sure if I want to tell him. Panda eyes are funny as fuck, but if he’s going to have any luck with the chicks tonight, angry red skin isn’t the way to go.
What. To. Do?
Mama and my sister Coralie will be here soon to coddle him and make sure he’s being sun-safe, and Casey is off walking the grounds or some shit with his girlfriend, Anna. Until then, I suppose he’s my charge.
In the end, I take sympathy on the twenty-two-year-old and throw one of the little bottles of sunscreen that were perched on top of the rolled, fluffy, navy striped towels when we got down to the private cabanas earlier.
“Do your face, man. You’re gonna burn.”
With no chance of a nap now that Jase is disturbing me, I stand to stretch and lift an icy water from the table laden with fruit and snacks, crunching on the ice cubes as he uses my shades as a mirror, slathering on the SPF. My gaze drifts to the TV hanging from a beam in the corner of the cabana showing ESPN, the talking heads discussing the upcoming game this weekend.
“I know the overall plan, but has Casey got anything special up his sleeve for Theo?”
I nod, “He’s booked out an entire club. Keep that to yourself though, he wants it to be a surprise. Theo would have told him not to bother and that drinks would be enough, but he wanted to give him the VIP treatment.”
At that, my gaze snags on a gorgeous woman across the pool. She’s maybe early thirties, all legs and olive skin. I make sure my appraisal of her is obvious, which I succeed in doing as she sends a shy smile back.
“That’s cool. So did you notice Scott left a half hour ago?” Jase asks, pulling my gaze away from the woman and making me nearly go cross-eyed at how close he is.
“Hmmm?” I say distractedly.
“Scotty. Did you see he left?”