Page 90 of College Hockey Bully

The game between the Wolves and the Bruins starts in an hour, so I need to talk to Aiden, fast. For some reason, there’s someone on the team out to get him and he needs to know.

Tabitha quickly glances behind her, a worried expression now filling her face. “I’m begging you, Scarlett. Be careful. There’s a negative energy after you.”

Yeah, and his name is Aiden fucking Hunter. With an assuring wave, I take off, my mind trained toward the sports department.

As I cut through the park, the hairs on the back of my neck rises, followed by an overwhelming chill. I assure myself that it’s only because I’m walking in a dimly lit area with thick trees that makes me feel confined. I’m not scared. Still, I hasten my steps.

Almost at the end of the park, I hear footsteps behind me. Instinctively, I glance over my shoulder. A tall, hooded figure walks along the path, strolling purposefully. He suddenly starts sprinting toward me. With a frightened gasp, I break into a run.

But I’m not fast enough.

A scream flies from my mouth when he grabs the back of my shirt, yanking me to a stop. As I turn to ease him off me, he raises his fist. A sharp pain runs across my face as I go down. He moves over me, tall and menacing, triggering a flood of fear that makes me want to pass out.

“Please… whoever you are, don’t do this,” I beg. “I’ve done nothing to you—”

The rest of my words get lodged in my throat by another punch from his meaty fist. Stars swirl around my head as it hits the concrete pavement. Groaning, I push myself up, dragging my body away from him. A scream emerges in a croak. He grabs my collar, slamming his forehead against mine. My eyes flutter shut as another searing pain lands right above my left eye.

Then it stops.

Everything goes still.

His footsteps fade as he hurries away, leaving me to the mercy of the night.

Chapter 36

Aiden

“Nervous?”

With a slight headshake, I haul the jersey over my head, then look over at Cameron, who’s doing the same. “Uneasy is more like it.”

“Relax. You put the work in, and you’ll reap all the benefits tonight,” he assures me. “We all will.”

“It’s not about the game, man. I can’t shake this heavy feeling.”

Cameron shrugs. “Maybe it’s Scarlett. You’re taking the breakup much harder than you admit.”

Pursing my lips, I put my socks on. I’d rather die than admit that I’ve barely slept since that fight with Scarlett, or that I’ve hardly eaten anything. This pain in my stomach is the worst I’ve ever endured and it’s getting worse. I can barely think without her crossing my mind. I’m going crazy not hearing her voice, seeing that coy smile or staring into those beautiful blue eyes. I miss her touch, her warmth, her scent—

Fuck.

Yanking on my other sock, I grab my gym bag and stuff it into the locker. “Please don’t mention her name around me.”

Cameron’s hands fly up. “Done.”

Noah walks past me, then stops and backs up. “You and I might not see eye to eye lately, but I’ve got your back out there tonight, one hundred percent.”

“Thanks, man. Right back at you.”

He pats my shoulder and goes off and it hits me that I haven’t seen Noah so at ease in a long time. Good for him and me. If the goalkeeper is sharp and ready, my job is half done.

Coach soon arrives to give us the customary pep talk that I barely hear. My mind is elsewhere, trying to find the source of my anxiety. Cameron’s probably right and I’m just stuck on Scarlett’s betrayal. If that’s the case, I’ll be living with this feeling for a long time.

As we all file out from the locker room, a slender girl with wild, dark hair comes running down the hall. “Murderers!” she yells. “You tried to murder my friend!”

“Jesus Christ. Not cuckoo Tabitha,” someone mutters and I frown, because she’s staring right at me.

“This is all your fault,” she mumbles, trying to push past two guys who hold her back. “If she dies, her blood will be on your shoulders, you jerk! I’ll put a hex on you, your family and this entire fucking team!”

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