Page 93 of A Quarterback for Christmas

“It’s all over the internet. Someone uploaded a video on the school messenger app, and now Drew’s scholarship is on the line. If they don’t rein the story in, his school transfer probably won’t go through either.”

My blood runs cold when she gets her phone out and shows me the grainy, repeating clip of video that shows Drew’s back as he lies on top of me. The film is grainy enough that you can only really make out the number on his jersey. Nothing else whatsoever would suggest it’s him except maybe his impeccable ass cheeks.

I shiver. The memory of just how good Drew’s tongue felt while his dick was down my throat does not make this moment feel any better.

“How many people have seen this?”

“Well, if it’s gotten to me, then you can guarantee that it’s a lot of people. Granted, this isn’t readily available. The clip comeswith all kinds of health hazards and warnings about potential expulsions if they find out you’ve shared it.”

“How did you get it?”

“Do you remember Trevor?”

“The guy who liked to call you at midnight just to see if you were awake?”

“I don’t know why you got so annoyed by that. I thought it was cute.”

“That’s because you weren’t the one being woken up by it.”

“But anyway, he used to volunteer as a campus security attendant. You know, he’d help walk girls home late at night to make sure no one would bother them. That kind of thing. Well, apparently, one of the employees took a little clip and sent it to their private messenger group. Then it went from there.” She clicks her fingers. “Drew’s chances of ever being St. Michael’s number one quarterback were gone just like that.”

And yet, my dreams stay intact?

“What about Brianna?”

“Rumor is she hasn’t left her dorm since the video came out.” That’s a lie because she was at Drew’s. “But how do you move forward from that? She’s got another two years here, and everyone now knows she’s into gym sex. Bets aren’t onifshe’ll transfer butwhenand if she’ll go with Drew.”

Gulping back the guilt, my fingers itch to pick up the phone. I can’t leave everyone thinking it’s Brianna in the video, can I? Her reputation has been ruined because of something I did, but even if I wanted to, I don’t know how I’d fix it without ruining my life.

But that doesn’t make it fair.

I need to do something, and the first thing I need to do is speak to Drew. I have no idea how long he’s known about this, but since he’s pretty much confirmed he’s transferring schools, it would have been enough time to call me and give me a heads-up.

“I gotta go,” I say hastily as I push the bedsheets off my legs. My hair’s a wreck, but I only have time to shove on a pair of leggings and Drew’s sweatshirt before I open the door.

“Where are you going?” Marissa asks.

“To figure some stuff out.”

Once I’m out of the room and have found a quiet place outside the building, I text Drew, hoping he’ll answer.

Bella:I’ve just heard about why you’re transferring. Obviously, we need to talk about it.

It’s a blunt text because it still hurts knowing Brianna was at his house when he was at his worst. I get that she was probably there because everyone thinks it’s her, but why wouldn’t Drew even give me a heads-up on it? It would have been nice to know that my dick-sucking had been caught on camera instead of finding out through my disapproving roommate.

My phone buzzes quicker than I expect, with Drew’s name lighting up the screen.

Drew:You’re right. We do. Meet me in fishing cabin five in Montreal Park. I’m here all afternoon.

That’s one place to go when you’re hiding out, I guess. Shoving my phone in my pocket, I make my way to my car to finally clear the air with Drew.

Chapter 25

Bella

My feet crunch against the graveled driveway as I step toward the small fishing cabin. There are about ten lined up across the lake, which, to my surprise, is only a five-minute walk from campus. I’ve attended St. Michael’s for the better part of two years, and I had no idea this place existed. Judging by the lack of cars with campus stickers in the parking lot, I’m guessing that’s the same for most students.

The lake is peaceful, and although I’m not the outdoorsy type, the trees are inviting, and I can see why Drew’s picked this place to hide out. The cabins are so tiny and inconspicuous that no one would expect him to be able to fit in one, let alone hang out in it.

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