Page 33 of College Hockey Bully

“If that pepper spray fails, just kick them in the balls!” Theresa calls after me as I climb onto my bike. I respond with a casual wave before pushing off. The second I pedal past the welcome sign of my neighborhood, that sense of bravado immediately wears off, making me wish I’d stay home curled up in bed, hoping that by some miracle, the Wolves will get hit by an amnesia spell that makes them forget I even exist.

“Cute bike,” Tabitha comments as I secure it to the stand. She hands me a folder as I join her.

“Yeah, thanks,” I mutter, glancing back at Aiden’s gift, wondering if I sold a piece of my soul by accepting it.

Moving briskly down the hallway, I skim through the folder, double-checking that all our talking points are included for the presentation. Tabitha nudges my side. “People are staring at you.”

“Huh?” I glance up, frowning at the glances trained in my direction. For someone used to being a shadow, this is puzzling to me.

A tall, brown-skinned girl suddenly steps into my path, looking me up and down. “You’re selling yourself short with those baggy clothes, FYI,” she says. “You’ve got a banging body.”

“Um… thanks?” I reply. Without another word, she looks me up and down again, then goes off.

“What was that about?” Tabitha asks as we start moving again.

“Oh, I went to Cameron’s party on Saturday night,” I comment casually, and she gasps loudly, coming to an abrupt halt.

“You went to the Wolves’ team party?” she exclaims.

“Yeah… that’s what I just said, wasn’t it?”

Her expression simmers into a disturbed look. “Oh, my God. This is upsetting.”

“What’s upsetting about me going to a party?” I ask, puzzled.

She turns to face me. “I think my third eye has been blocked, Scarlett.”

Still puzzled, I shift to let a group of guys pass by me. “Can you quit being so cryptic?”

“I’ve been sensing danger around you for the last couple of weeks, Scarlett, and they’ve been getting stronger since you started doing that internship. There’s some darkness surrounding the Wolves, darkness that could consume you. At least, that’s what I sensed. The fact that you came back from their party unscathed makes me wonder if I’m as in tune as I thought.”

I suck in a sharp breath as goosebumps cover my skin. “I guess not,” I reply, walking off before she says another word.I don’t believe she’s gifted or anything. The Wolves’ attack was just a weird coincidence, nothing more.

“As a precaution, keep watching your back around them,” she warns me. “If I were you, I wouldn’t chance another party with them.”

Oh, trust me, there’s not enough money in the world to make that happen.

Despite my disbelief, Tabitha’s warning plants a seed in my head that gets watered by my earlier anxiety, which transforms into full-blown terror by the time I’m done with my classes for the day. Slow, tentative steps take me to the sports department.

Melissa glances up with an expectant smile that dwindles as I approach her desk. “You okay?” she asks. “You look like someone who just saw a ghost.”

“I’m fine.” The quiver in my voice is a dead giveaway.

Melissa slowly rises with a frown. “Scarlett. Are you sure you’re okay?”

The worry in her tone almost frees the dam of tears that want to break free. I blink the urge away, instead, forcing a smile. “Do you mind if I work in the office for the week, at least?”

“Uh…” She looks around her. “I’m not sure if there’s anything in here for you to do, sweetie. Besides, I’ve already assigned you to refreshment duty for the Wolves’ practice match, which…” She glances at her watch. “…begins in ten minutes.”

I nod vigorously, disappointment swirling in my stomach. “Oh, okay. I’ll just go.”

“Scarlett?” she calls as I reach for the doorknob. “Be honest with me. Is there something bothering you?”

For a moment, I contemplate letting it all out, but it’s my word against an entire team. With no proof, I have no ground to stand on. If I put myself in that spotlight, I probably won’t make it to graduation.

“No, nothing,” I reply, forcing another smile. Melissa doesn’t seem convinced, but she lets it go.

“Oh, before I forget, Aiden came here twice to check if you had arrived,” she says.

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