Page 48 of College Hockey Bully

“The scout from New Jersey, he’s not coming,” he replies, and I drop my bag.

“Why the hell not?”

“I got a call from his agency,” Coach speaks up. “Apparently, he received an email from an anonymous source, stating that the Wolves are a bunch of violent bullies. Apparently, you’ve all been harassing an intern.” His stern glare moves around the room. “The source stated that the intern was too shaken up and afraid to come forward, but there was enough evidence sent to convince them.”

I drop my butt to the nearest bench.

“Coach, I don’t get it. Not that I’m admitting to anything, but so what if there was some harmless bullying here and there? They’re scouting our talents, not our manners. We’re among the best of the best.”

“The agency is an anti-bullying advocate, Hunter. What’s worse, you’re accused of bullying a woman. Not a good look.” His pointed finger swings around at all of us. “If I were you, I’d get my shit together before you blow other opportunities like this.”

The buzzing from murmurs increases as Coach leaves the room. The entire team is staring at me.

“Still think that little traitor is innocent?” Noah asks, his eyes sparkling with triumph.

Chapter 17

Scarlett

With something heavy and unpleasant dancing in my stomach, I tear my eyes away from the brunette chasing Aiden. I don’t care that there might be something going on between them. Despite what happened the other day, he means nothing to me.

“There are some weird vibes coming off him. Did you feel it?” Tabitha asks and I shake my head.

“He seems fine to me,” I murmur.

“Of course he does.” She scoffs. “You’re in love with him. Love usually messes with your sixth sense.”

“You should stop smoking that crap you carry around in your bag,” I throw back. “I don’t have feelings for Aiden Hunter.”

I yank the textbook on my lap. She’s still looking at me.

“But you have been intimate with him.”

My head snaps up. “What?”

Tabitha chuckles. “That’s not my power talking, sweetheart. I watched you together just now. Your body language told me everything.”

Hoping my face reveals nothing, I skip the pages. Aiden and I didn’t even touch, so Tabitha saw nothing. “Thank goodness you’re actually getting a medical degree. That gift of yours won’t pay the bills.”

“Probably not, but it will help people who need it, even the ones who believe they don’t.”

“Can we get back to the project?” I snap.

Tabitha shakes her head but says no more.Thank heavens.We work in relative silence for the next hour until our legs are cramped and it’s time for work. I feel confident heading to the locker room after signing in with Melissa. Not only because the team is on the rink and I’m scheduled for laundry duty. Since Aiden gave me his word, no one has bothered me.

One month to go and I won’t have to deal with this again.

I get busy putting fresh bags in designated spots for the team to put their dirty uniforms after the practice match. A useless effort sometimes, since most of them leave their belongings on the floor. It occurs that Aiden is the only one consistent with putting his things where they belong, which would be an attractive trait, if I had eyes for him.

Which I don’t.

I don’t care what Tabitha says; I’m not in love with Aiden.

Besides, it’s obvious he has a thing for someone else.

That deep, wrenching pain returns and I take a deep breath to soothe it. Not for the first time, I wish like hell that Aiden didn’t touch me.

Or kiss me.

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