Page 70 of College Hockey Bully

I nod with understanding, sobering up. I’ll get my head in the game now, then fuck shit up later. Whoever did this, they’re not getting away.

Giving Coach two thumbs up, I glide back to the center and at the whistle, I do what I know best, dominate. It’s even more satisfying to see Noah’s frustrated face when I repeatedly slap the puck past the goal line.

At the end of practice, Cameron drops his butt on the bench beside me as I take a swig from my water bottle. “Dude, are you okay?”

I shake my head while twisting the bottle between my hands. Cameron taps his knees patiently, waiting for me to respond. I’m not sure if I want to. Revealing that I’m privy to Scarlett’s personal life will trigger questions I’m not ready to answer.

“Saw Scarlett this morning,” he mumbles, and my head shoots up.

“Where?”

“Heading to class, I guess. She looked shaken up. Kept glancing around her.”

Sighing harshly, I scrub my face. I wished she’d taken my advice and asked for sick leave from that exam. When I rushed over to her place last night, she was in no shape to lift a pencil. Then again, I’ve never met a more determined person. It’s a trait that drew me to her and one that makes me fall harder for her. She’s not giving up, no matter what.

“I can’t help feeling like there’s a connection somewhere,” Cameron says.

His discerning eyes stay locked on my face. He knows me too well.

“Someone broke into Scarlett’s house last night and injured her dog,” I finally mumble.

“Holy fuck.”

“Yeah. It wrecked the shit out of her.” My eyes now trained on Noah. He’s a bit too cheerful today.

“Seems it wrecked the shit out of you, too. It explains how thrown off you were during the game,” he replies.

“That had nothing to do with Scarlett. Just a ton of shit going on at home,” I explain.

Cameron gives me a long, speculative stare. “Either you talk about what’s going on or let it go, because it’s affecting your game. This isn’t the time to be fumbling the puck. We’re not missing the championships this year.”

“Fucking hell, we won’t,” I reply firmly, my attention going back to Noah. His grin fades when he sees me looking. With an eye roll, he grabs his gear and heads out.

I want to share my suspicion with Cameron, but it’s too crazy. I can’t imagine Noah being so desperate. He doesn’t like Scarlett, but would he go to such lengths to mess with her head?

God, I hope not.

Scarlett mentioned several recent break-ins in her neighborhood, but there were no reports of any harm. This seems personal. I can’t let that suspicion go.

I also can’t ignore the possibility that Noah might be behind it.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m getting out of this shit,” Cameron mutters, rising. Gathering my things, I follow him to the locker room. I have a class at noon, after which I’m scooping Scarlett from wherever she is.

Which currently, is our locker room.

Facing off with Noah.

Blind rage pushes me forward. It feels like déjà vu as Noah flies back from the force of my hard shove against his chest. “Get the fuck away from her,” I seethe.

To my surprise, he doesn’t retaliate. Yet, he’s still pissed as hell. “The traitor stole my fucking money. I want it back.”

“That’s a lie. Why would I take your money?” Scarlett asks, red-faced.

Noah scoffs. “Is that a trick question, you trailer park trash? I guess your ragtag family will be eating well for once, huh?”

“Noah, I swear to God, you’re begging for a beat down at this point,” I growl.

“Why the fuck do you keep defending this thief? Did she promise you a blowjob or something?” Noah barks back.

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