Page 82 of College Hockey Bully

“I’m looking for Scarlett Pierce. By any chance, is this where she lives?”

The familiar voice pushes me forward and my jaw slackens with shock when I see Mrs. Hunter on our doorstep.

“Ah, there you are!” she says pleasantly. “Can I come in?”

“Is Aiden okay?” I ask at once, worry teasing my brain. Is this why I’m not getting his cell? Did something terrible happen to him?

“Aiden is quite fine.” She smiles brightly. “There’s something we need to discuss. Is it okay if we talk inside?”

I take in the dress shirt and tailored pants that clashes with my oversized T-shirt and Mom’s old dress. Mom and I exchange a look and she nods with approval, wiping her hands on the dirty apron.

“Um… sure?” I finally say.

She comes up the steps and I briefly introduce Mom, who goes back to the kitchen. At my awkward gesture, Mrs. Hunter takes a seat on the couch and I look for a sign of repulsion, but there’s none.

Still, it’s weird having her in a place like this, especially after her behavior the other night. I can’t imagine what she would want to discuss.

She looks up at me, still smiling. “I think you need to sit down for this.”

“Okay…” A spark of worry goes off in my stomach as I gingerly take a seat beside her.

“First, I must apologize for my behavior when we first met. The other night, too. See, I was angry at Aiden, but I took it out on you.”

“Why were you angry at Aiden?”

She stares at me for a moment, uncertainness filling her face. Then, she sighs deeply, taking my hand. “Because he keeps breaking women’s hearts.”

“I don’t understand.”

She sighs again. “I love my son, but I can’t stand by and let him do this to you or Casey.”

My stomach drops. “Casey?”

“Yes, the girl he’s been dating for two years now. They’ve had a tumultuous relationship, but they are crazy about each other. My son has a thing where he pursues another woman whenever he and Casey break up. When they finally make up, he dumps that woman like trash.”

Her smile slips into a soft frown. “Sadly, my dear, this time, that woman is you.”

“I don’t believe that,” I whisper, hearing the quiver in my voice. I pull my hands from hers. “You don’t like me, so you’re trying to break me and Aiden apart.”

“That couldn’t be further from the truth, my dear. I’ve seen how much my son has ruined other women. I’m trying to prevent that happening to you.”

“Why don’t you warn Casey, then?” I fire back, my voice raising. Mom finally pokes her head out of the kitchen, though I suspect she’d been listening all along. She crosses her arms over her chest, scowling. I know that look. One word from me, and she’ll throw Mrs. Hunter out of here.

“Why would I warn Casey when she’s the one he truly loves?” Mrs. Hunter says, her pretty face scrunched with confusion. “My dear, Aiden plans to propose after college. He has been looking at rings for the last few weeks—”

“That’s not true.” I stand, my chest heaving as I pant for breaths. “Aiden wouldn’t do that to me.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” she tsks, standing with me. “There are plenty of women who thought the same thing. I’m sure you’veseen them around campus, losing themselves over him. One of them even tried to break into our home. My son is quite the dog—well, was a dog. He has decided now that he’s serious about Casey.”

“I don’t believe you,” reply, still defiant. “You’re trying to sabotage what Aiden and I have, and I won’t fall for it.”

She shakes her head with pity. “There’s nothing between you and Aiden. The sooner you get that through your head, the quicker you will heal. I’m not trying to put you down, darling, but you’re not in his league. You have no money. No status. Nothing to offer my son. Casey does—”

“I think you should go, lady,” Mom interjects furiously, stepping forward.

Mrs. Hunter ignores her, reaching into her purse. “Do you want to know where my son is tonight? I’ll show you.”

My head snaps back as she shoves the cell phone in my face. “He’s at his girlfriend’s birthday party. Look.”

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