Page 90 of For Crosby

“Apparently, the dean has an IT guy waiting at his office to rid them of any potentially harmful videos.”

It was as if a giant boulder had been lifted off not only my shoulders but my entire body. No one else would see that video. And no one else could share it. Sabrina would remain unscathed.

Coach walked to the exit, turning back as if he’d forgotten something. “Oh. And Crosby. I’m gonna have to get that scout back out here to see you play.”

I closed my eyes for a moment and relief filled my body. This thing was finally over. My life could proceed. And I might just get the ending I’d been hoping for. “I won’t let you down this time,” I assured Coach.

“I know, kid.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Crosby

Except for the scattered lights inside Sabrina’s dorm, I stood in darkness. “Tighter,” I said.

“Seriously?” Xavier asked from behind the tree where he knotted the ropes that bound me to it.

“Yup.”

He complied, pulling them even tighter. “So, you want me to go up there or text her?”

“Text her. That way you don’t come down together.”

“Got it,” he said.

“You just about done?” I asked, craning my neck to see.

“I think so. You can’t move, right?”

I could barely wiggle my arms that were pinned to my sides. Luckily, my Henley protected them from the unforgiving fibers of the rope. Learned that one the hard way. “Nope.”

“Okay.” He stepped around the tree and stood in front of me. “You sure about this?”

“Nope. But I’m here.”

“Yes, you are,” he chuckled, pulling my phone from my pocket and texting Sabrina. “Okay. It’s sent. Now let’s hope she comes down.” He tucked my phone back in my pocket. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

“You want me to stay in case things go wrong?”

I shook my head. “I’ll be fine.”

He sent me one last smile before turning and hurrying down the path to his dorm.

I watched the front door of Sabrina’s dorm, anxious to see her yet nervous for her reaction. The cool air gave me the bolt of energy I needed for the impending conversation.

Minutes passed.

No one came or went.

Finally, the front door swung open and Sabrina stepped outside in a T-shirt and jeans. The sight of her hurt my heart. She squinted into the darkness, assessing everything from the cars parked in front of her dorm to the people heading home to their dorms from their six o’clock classes.

I stood silently, waiting for her to see me. She didn’t.

“Hey,” I called.

Her head whipped around, but still she didn’t notice me.

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