Page 134 of The Friend Zone

Topher moved into Cash’s old room to allow Bay to take the presidential suite. As it happens, the door is right in front of the stairs, offering us front row seats to what we know is about to unfold.

“What the fuck do you want at the crack of dawn? The house better be on fire, or I swear to God, whoever has been banging on my door like a disrespectful asshole will have to find somewhere else to live. Oh—” Topher runs a hand through his mussed hair when he spots the four police officers at his door. “Good morning, officers. What can I do for you?”

The sergeant who’s been doing most of the talking since Tucker opened the door asks if Bianca is there.

“Yes, Miss Williams is here with me.” Topher steps to the side to allow Bianca to stand next to him in nothing but a tank top and a tiny pair of panties.

“Hi,” Bianca greets them. “What’s this about?”

“Miss Williams, Mr. Mumford, you’re both under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney?—”

Topher takes a step back. “Under arrest? What for? Is this a fucking prank? Are you actors hired by Omega Psi or Sigma Nu? Whoever hired you, just tell them, haha this was funny. And to fuck off.”

The police officer takes a pair of handcuffs and advances toward Topher. “The exact charges will be explained to you in detail at the police station. This isn’t a joke, son. You’re both being charged with bribing a university official with the intent of cheating. Stealing the answers to several academic exams?—”

Bianca interrupts the police officer. “This is ridiculous. My daddy is the Dean of students at this university. Talk to him, he’ll clear this all up.”

“Oh there’s no doubt we’ll talk to him, as we charge him too. Your father and Mr. Mumford have a lot of explaining to do. We have proof of bribery going on since Mr. Mumford started his freshman year. More so, we’re looking into his acceptance into this university.”

“This is ridiculous,” Topher snarls. “My father is an alumnus here. He’s always donated to his alma mater.”

The officer nods. “Yes, but the donations were pretty sporadic and modest up to four years ago, when you applied to attend here, Mr. Mumford. The trail of donations of huge sums begins right around your acceptance and continues to grow since. We have solid proof of your fathers’ agreement. We also have evidence of the answers to every single exam you took atthis school having made its way from the Dean’s office to your inbox via Miss Williams.”

Bianca covers her mouth with her hands. “It’s impossible. I only ever used my phone?—”

“But that’s the least of your problems, Miss Williams. You’re also under arrest for arson. We have a video of you tampering with the appliance that was deemed responsible for the fire at your sorority house.”

In that moment, Bianca looks over the heads of the police officers and spots us at the bottom of the stairs. “It’s her! You stole my phone, you fucking bitch! You and your sister are nothing but two filthy sluts. You’ve gone after every single guy I wanted, you’ve got the presidency that should be mine. And now, now you stole my phone. Officer,” she screams. “You should arrest her for theft!”

“Miss Williams,” the sergeant warns her. “You have thirty second to put on some clothes, or I’ll drag you to the police station in your underwear.”

Bianca isn’t used to being told what to do, and this time is no exception. “Fuck you! I’m not going anywhere with you until I can speak to my daddy. And definitely not until you arrest that thieving bitch.”

I pull Bay closer to my side and Cole and Ryker flank us to protect her like they do with Tucker’s goal on the ice when Bianca lunges forward screaming.

Of course she has no chance to go anywhere. Two police officers grab her and she’s handcuffed for resisting arrest.

Topher is a little wiser and takes the opportunity to get dressed quickly before being escorted into one of the two police cars waiting outside.

“Can someone give Bianca something to cover herself at least until they get to the station?” Bay has a good heart, and sheworries about her soon to be former sister, even though Bianca deserves this and more.

“Here, take this.” Tucker shucks his hoodie and Bay places it on Bianca’s shoulders right before the police escort her outside.

“I think I should call Coach Harrison to let him know that Topher won’t be at practice and that the rest of the team might be late.” Cole sighs, as he observes the turmoil in everyone in the house.

Everyone is talking about what just happened and no one seems intent on getting ready for practice any time soon.

“Do you think they’re going to be able to talk themselves out of this situation?” Bay asks me and Ryker.

“Only time will tell, Cinnamon.” Ryker pulls her into his arms.

Most people I know would be happy to see those assholes pay for all the pain they’ve caused. Bay however, looks sad for the most part.

Discovering that one of her sisters was responsible for the fire and causing it in the hope that Bay herself would be blamed was hard for her.

But I know that what hurts her the most is the enormity of Topher’s betrayal.

I can understand how she feels. She loved Topher, and she trusted him. His infidelity was just the tip of the iceberg and I hope the motherfucker does some jail time. That would be his safest option, because if we ever catch him even trying to contact Bay - Cole, Ryker and I will make him wish he was never born.

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