Page 74 of College Hockey Bully

“Speak for yourself,” Noah grumbles. “I did not set Scarlett up. She took my money.”

“Do you really plan on dying on that hill?” I reply, trying but failing to contain my anger.

“Fuck it. Yes, I am.” Noah squares up with me. “Coach was there when Scarlett pulled my shit from her bag—”

“You could’ve easily arranged to have someone put it there. Scarlett’s smarter than to hide it in the first place anyone would look,” I throw back.

Noah’s brows furrow, then his expression slowly clears as a smirk emerges. “Seems like she already sucked your dick, huh?” He grins. “From how you keep defending her, you clearly liked it very—”

Low gasps fill the room as he goes down from my fist. Coach mumbles, “I’m getting too old for this shit. Hunter, don’t make me bench your ass.”

I throw both hands up and back off Noah. He stands, glaring hatefully as he touches the bruising spot. “I’m going toget you for this. One way or another,” he threatens, then with a huff, he pushes through the crowd.

“You know what? Fuck it,” I address the team. “I’m done hiding. Yeah, Scarlett and I are a thing. If anyone has a problem with me being with her, take it up with me. You lay a hand on her, we’re going to have a problem.”

With that said, I grab my bag to go.

“Personally, I don’t give a fuck who you date, man,” Michael calls after me and I stop in the doorway. “And I can speak for most of these guys when I say that we’ll always follow your lead. You told us to back off her and we did. Well, except Noah, obviously.” He scoffs.

“Michael’s right. We trust you. If you’re cool with Scarlett, we’re cool with her,” Jordan, another teammate chimes in and the others nod.

Except Cameron. He stands leaning against his locker, arms folded and staring deadpan at me. I sigh. “Yeah, I know; I should’ve told you.”

“Damn straight,” he replies. “I should not be getting this news the same time these commoners are. I’m your fucking best friend.”

I grin as he punches my arm.

“I’m going to find Scarlett and get to the bottom of what’s going on,” I tell him. “Talk to you later.”

“Good luck,” he replies, then doubles back. “Forgot to mention, I spoke to Andrew.”

“Who?”

“The IT guy. He should have the footage before the end of the week.”

“That’s good news. Thanks, man.”

“Don’t mention it.” He pats my back. “Go handle your business.”

Slinging the strap across my shoulders, I rush out the building, ringing Scarlett’s cell phone as I go. After several unsuccessful attempts, I hurry to where she usually parks her bike. If it means waiting there until she shows up, so be it.

I’m crossing the park when I spot her walking briskly on the other side, heading in the same direction. I hasten my steps, just as a motorcyclist zooms onto the pathway behind her. It triggers an alarm in my head. That’s a footpath. He doesn’t fucking belong there.

And from the way he’s zooming directly toward Scarlett, it’s obvious he knows that.

“Scarlett, look out!” I yell, although I’m too far away. I drop my bag and break into a sprint as she turns around.

But it’s too late.

I almost sag with relief when it zings past Scarlett, barely missing her. She falls back into the grass and two girls rush to help her up. Almost out of breath, I come to a screeching stop, pulling her shaking figure into my arms.

“Hey, I’ve got you,” I mutter soothingly. Scarlett shudders, then a dry sob escapes. I tighten my hold around her as she cries, my emotions darting between white-hot fury and sorrow. Scarlett’s been through too much.

“Did anyone catch the plates or anything?” I ask the girls still standing there.

The curly-haired one shakes her head. “It happened so quickly. The only thing I noticed was the color. Black.”

Yeah, a lot of help that’ll do.

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