Page 15 of Ricochet

“Speaking of names,” I say, “Tell me you have one for me.”

“You need one already?”

Now it’s my turn to sigh. “It’s been a long week.”

“Sure. Give me an hour or so. I’ll send the deets to your burner.”

“Thanks, Lacey. Give Mom a hug for me.”

“Of course. Be careful.”

“I always am.”

After we hang up, I throw my head back and rub my eyes.

I’m already feeling a bit better knowing Lacey’s working on getting me a name for tonight. I may have had ulterior motivesfor calling this time, but if I’m going to have to face Callum in class and practice for the rest of the week, I need something to help sway me toward one side of these conflicted urges I have.

I’d rather keep him safe than unleash the beast on him.

My eyes fly open tobe greeted by darkness. A different kind of darkness than the one that was just swallowing me whole in my sleep.

Air enters and exits my lungs too quickly to feel like I’m getting any oxygen. My heart is fucking jackhammering in my chest, and my body is covered in a layer of cold sweat. The sheets are bunched up around my calves like I was thrashing in my sleep.

Fuck.

I haven’t had those nightmares in over a year.

The ones plagued by shadows and pain, the stench of cigar smoke and the sound of sinister laughter.

I close my eyes and try to get my heart rate down and my breathing to return to normal. When I glance over at the clock on my nightstand, I see that it’s not even five in the morning.

But fuck if I’m going back to sleep now.

Kicking off the rest of the sheets, I climb out of bedand throw on a pair of shorts. We don’t have strength and conditioning training this morning, but I could use some time at the gym anyway. So I get dressed and head down to the one on the first floor of the apartment complex. It’s small and not nearly as good as the one on campus, but I don’t want to risk running into Stone. Even if that risk is low.

I’m pretty sure the memories he’s brought with him are what triggered those nightmares.

Every time he looks at me, it’s too fucking fresh. Every time, I remember when he looked at me and saw every piece I never wanted anyone to see.

And then I remember every bruise.

Every scar.

Every weakness.

Marching into the gym, I’m determined to sweat every one of them out.

I pissed Stone off yesterday. That much was obvious. To be fair, he pissed me off first.

Arrogant ass probably doesn’t like to be told what to do.

At practice, he was like a fireball on the ice, a live wire. Going after anyone who got in his way. When he bodychecked Brooks, it felt personal. It’s not like I’ve made it a secret I’d rather Brooks be on the first line with me and Nate. I should’ve hidden my animosity behind the same mask I hide everything else. But when I’m around Stone, I find that harder and harder.

Stone split me open five years ago, and I haven’t been able to close myself up again. Not when it comes to him.

But there are still secrets I keep.

Ones Ihaveto keep.

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