Page 102 of College Hockey Bully

I stare down at my hands. I do believe Aiden means what he’s saying, but it’s just not enough. Tears fill my eyes as I shake my head.

“Do you know what’s funny? I’ve had a thing for you since that first day in Calculus and I used to fantasize about you doing the filthiest things to me. Never once did I imagine those fantasies coming true, because I thought you were way out of my league. And maybe you still are—I don’t know—and that girl in Calculus would probably throw herself at you and forgive everything, but me…” I grimace. “The new version of me can’t settle for that, Aiden. I need someone who will stick by me, no matter what. Someone who wants me only.”

He opens his mouth to reply, just as Mom sticks her head inside. “Honey, it’s time to take your next round of meds. Aiden, are you staying for dinner?”

“No, he’s leaving,” I answer firmly for him. Aiden looks back at me, crestfallen.

“Scar—”

“I’m starting to get a headache,” I interrupt dismissively, reaching for the water on the side table. “See you around, Aiden.”

There’s a long, tense pause, during which I hold my breath, not letting it out until the door closes behind him. Putting down the water glass, I cover my mouth, crying silently as the emotional dam bursts inside me.

Chapter 41

Scarlett

“You’re one determined girl, Scarlett. I’ll give you that,” Melissa comments as I close her office door behind me. “When I said you could take the week off, I meant it.”

“I know, but I need those hours,” I reply. “Otherwise, I’ll miss the deadline.”

“I’m sure your lecturer would be lenient, considering what happened to you.”

The comment earns her a sharp scoff, at which she raises her brows. “Trust me, he wouldn’t be.” Professor Green only extends such favors to his favorites. I’m on the opposite end, unfortunately.

“Well, on the bright side, you get to complete those hours at least,” she says. “I’m glad they cleared your name. I’m also sorry I didn’t believe you.”

With a smile, I fan away her apology. “It’s fine. I probably wouldn’t have believed it, too.”

She smiles back softly while sitting down. “With that all said, let’s get to work.”

The thought of running into Aiden triggers violent flutters in my chest. After spending two days blowing up my phone, he suddenly went radio silent. I dreaded coming here today, knowing I’d be seeing the guy who still has my heart, the guy who realizes now that he can do better than someone like me. Ishould be grateful that he has shown his true colors before more damage was done, right?

Instead, I feel empty.

Forcing a perked up expression, I flex my hands. “Where am I scheduled today, Melissa?”

She points to the chair beside her desk. “Right here. You’re going to help me record all the inventory we’ve received over the last week.”

As I gape, she gives me a puzzled look. “What, you didn’t think I’d have you doing manual labor after that attack, did you? No, you’re completing your internship in this office.”

“Thank you,” I breathe gratefully, taking the seat. This is good. The chances of me running into Aiden has been cut right down to the quarter mark. If I don’t see him, it will be easier to get over him.

With my mood slightly improving, I focus on my task for the next two hours, then sign out as soon as I’m done. Dad confiscated my bike when I insisted on riding to Hempton, so now I’m forced to call an Uber. I wave goodbye to Melissa, then leave the office.

And walk right into a pack of wolves.

My arms go lax as I breathe a frustrated sigh. What the hell do they want from me now?

They all stand in a cluster, arms folded, staring at me menacingly. I feel around in my bag for the pepper spray. How many can I put down before they get me?

The sound of ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ suddenly erupts from somewhere and I shriek with surprise as they all spread out and break into a dance. My eyes widen as Odean does a perfect pirouette, which is quite inappropriate for the genreof song. Even worse, Michael starts doing a chicken dance and another guy is twerking his ass off. Whatever the reason behind this bizarre sight in front of me, they clearly did not rehearse.

Well, they’re all doing a twirl right now, so it seems they rehearseda little. They suddenly part on both sides, revealing Aiden standing there with a boombox on his shoulder. My breath catches on a shocked gasp as the reference hits me.Where the hell did he get a fricking boombox?

“What are you doing?” I whisper, still wide-eyed as he stops right in front of me.

“What does it look like? I’m getting my girl back, just like in the movies,” he replies with a cheeky grin that makes me want to smile, too.

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