16. Mal

16

MAL

I was annoyed.

Beyond annoyed, I was outraged. Not only at Doe, but at myself for the reaction I had when I saw her with Vince. I had caught her at the prime moment too, a smile stretched across her face as she held up her camera toward him.

She looked happy too in that brief moment my eyes locked onto her.

I fucking hated it.

I hated the reaction I had toward it. Within seconds I was pumping my arms and legs toward them until my body slammed right into the glass behind them. It was a jackass move, but all I saw in that moment was red.

Because I knew what Vince was thinking. I knew what every guy on the team was thinking because I had those same exact thoughts.

You still fucking do.

But no way in hell would I let that continue.

She was Hayes's girl and from now until forever, she would remain that way.

After a short talk with Vince later about what the fuck that was, I was on a mission to find Doe and get more information out of her.

I didn't know how much longer I could last with her being here. I felt like I was slowly going crazy, and everyone around me was beginning to notice.

"Hey, man. Where are you off in such a rush?" James caught me at the locker room door with a towel slung over his shoulder and a curious gleam in his eye.

I knew he had some insight on why or how Wren got here, I just hadn't found the time or courage to ask him.

"Just trying to get home," I grumbled, feeling suddenly hot from his stare. I peered over his shoulder for a way out but I was cut short when he laughed.

"She's not here, you know. She left already."

My ears perked.

How the hell did he know I was going to look for her?

"I'm not…"

"Since she's staying with Kate and I for the time being, she let Kate know she went out to dinner."

My skin went red hot. Out to dinner? With who?

The answer better be by herself.

As if sensing the gears turning in my head, he sighed.

"She's at Jax Pub." He hit me with an earnest stare that had me straightening. "Don't do anything stupid, Mal. Don't do anything you'll regret."

Fuck.

That gave me all the answers I needed.

She was out to dinner with someone and he knew I'd cause a scene.

My muscles went taut while images and thoughts of Doe ran rampant through my head. Immediately a notion came to mind and I was turning around and heading back into the locker room.

My eyes sought out every fucker in here, counting them out and making a mental checklist in my head.

"You all right?" James walked past me, giving me a once-over as he stopped at his locker. I had already tuned him out. Now, all I could think about was which one of these bastards was out with Doe.

"Where's Davis at?" I announced on a growl. No one acknowledged me besides James.

"He left early for a dentist appointment."

Good.

"Jenson?"

I was already suspicious of him after I tore his ass a new one for talking about her.

Maybe he decided not to listen to me…

"Sick, he has the flu."

Fuck.

Who the hell was she with then?

Storming off in the direction of the doors, I heard a voice call out to me.

"Don't do anything stupid, Mal," James repeated.

I fucking wouldn't.

At least, I didn't think I would…