Page 57 of SNOB

I won’t admit it.

I won’t dare fucking admit that once again, Ember Everett ruins me.

Ember

“I didn’t see that coming.”

Gray’s voice warbles around me, the crowd a buzz of murmurs and whispers as the game resumes. Without Mac.

“I don’t know if he’s coming back from that.” Gray’s words are far from reassuring.

I’m still on my feet, my eyes on the ice where Mac went down. I’ve seen hits way harder than that with Uncle Jake, but that one made Mac break like a popsicle stick.

My stomach twists.

Is that my fault?

That night loops in my head. The gun. The way blood poured from his body.

This entire time I thought we were the victims. And we are. While Uncle Jake can never play again, he was older at that time. Mac’s career is only starting. And I didn’t give him a chance.

He deserved it.

He’s a monster.

“Did we traumatize you?” Gray asks, his hand coming to my back but it’s not comforting.

“I have to check on him.” Finally able to move, I swing my legs over the back of the bench.

“I’m coming with you,” Gray says and I don’t stop to protest as he helps divide the crowd in front of us.

It feels like forever before I’m out of the rink, my Oxfords hustling towards the locker room doors.

Crash!

Bang!

The closer I get to the locker room, the more it sounds like chaos.

“Fuck!” I hear Mac’s voice from a distance, bellowing down the hall.

“You sure you want to go in there?” Gray winces, downing his beer as we approach the open doors.

"I have to." And with a deep breath, I cross the threshold.

My pace slows when I see it.

Carnage.

Hockey gear litters the once pristine floor, wooden benches turned over. Trash bins lay on their side, their contents spewed all across the space.

“Get the fuck out of here!” Mac appears in front of me, a finger pointed my way. He swings his gaze to Gray. “And you. What the fuck, Whitney? I told you to watch her, not fuck her! But if you want Valley Vermin, go right the fuck ahead. She’ll ruin you too.”

“Man, I’m out,” Gray laughs, turning towards the doors. He can’t deal with this but I will. I caused it.

“Mac…” I step forward an inch at a time, like I’m approaching a wild moose. Big. Unpredictable. Protective.

“Get the fuck out, Everett. I’m not gonna tell you again.”

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