Page 89 of College Hockey Bully

“Hell, yeah,” Odean agrees, stepping forward. “We’ve got this, captain.”

Cameron raises his bottle. “To the championship!”

“To the championship!” everyone cheers.

Except Noah, who turns the bottle to his lips without a word, the scowl still planted on his face. Our eyes meet, the fury within his depths evoking an uneasy sensation inside me, making me worry for the girl who broke my heart.

Chapter 35

Scarlett

“Don’t walk away from me, Tabitha,” I pant, hastening down the corridor to keep up with her quick strides. “Admit that you set me up. I need answers, goddammit!”

“You’re crazy,” she throws over her shoulder. “I have nothing to say to you.”

The cool air hits my face as we step into the approaching night, leaving the library behind. “I’m the crazy one?” I break into a jog to block her way. “You’re the one who’s been spreading doom and gloom since we met. Quite a set up for your grand finale, isn’t it?”

“Which is what, Scarlett?” Tabitha finally stops and I almost crash into her as she turns toward me, anger filling her features. “What would I gain from setting you up?”

“You’re the one who made me wait at that spot for half an hour before you picked me up—”

“Because my boyfriend broke up with me that night,” she interrupts.

“Oh, really.” I stare at her deadpan.

“Yes. It wasn’t just a coincidence, Scarlett. It was the worst night of my life.”

“Well, join the fucking club, because guess what? I’ve been living in hell ever since.”

“No, you’ve been living in hell because you didn’t believe me. I told you to be careful. You didn’t listen and look where it got you. Someone’s really trying to set you up, but it’s not me.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Tabitha throws up her hands. “I don’t give a fuck, Scarlett. Think about this, though. There are plenty of ways to skin a wolf. If I wanted revenge for whatever crazy reason, I’d destroy them in ways that are far less complicated.” She grins. “After all, there’s a full moon every month.”

“Nothing else makes sense, Tabitha,” I reply earnestly. “Why did you make me wait for you at that exact spot?”

“Because I was coming from Corey’s house, right after he broke up with me. I took the back gate in, which means—”

“It’s closer than the front gate,” I finish for her, my heart sinking. Of course. Corey lived a few blocks behind campus, which would’ve made it easier for Tabitha to pick me up near the sports department, which is close to the back gate.

A sudden crack makes me startle. With a gasp, I whip around to the grove of trees behind me. Enough has happened over the last week to have me spooked by every sound.

“Duh.” Tabitha rolls her eyes as I face her again. “I would never hurt the only person who doesn’t believe I’m a nut case.” She snorts. “At least, the only person who’s never said it out loud.”

I sigh. “Tabitha, I’m sorry. When Aiden showed me that video, I didn’t know what else to think.”

“You’re a smart girl, Scarlett, but sometimes, you don’t use your common sense. The answer has been staring you in the face all along. Don’t you find it odd that Aiden threw you under the bus without any real proof? He was looking for a scapegoatand thanks to Corey’s dumb ass, you were right there that night, ready to be sacrificed.”

“No.” I shake my head vehemently. “Aiden wouldn’t sabotage his own team.”

Tabitha shakes her head, too. “Think about it. The Wolves were the only ones who were privy to that prank. It can’t be an outsider. It certainly wasn’t me.”

“It’s not Aiden,” I deny fiercely. He needs the team more than they need him.

“Take those heart-shaped glasses off, Scarlett. Isn’t it weird that Aiden was the only one not involved in that prank?”

“Unless he wasn’t the only one,” I reply, my thoughts swirling as I back away. “Tabitha, thank you. I need to go.”

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