Page 14 of College Hockey Bully

“Need any help—”

“No,” I snap, my automatic response flying out before I can stop it. Pulling back, I treat him to a soft smile. “Thanks, anyway. And thanks for…” My voice trails as I cock my head toward the door.

“It was nothing,” he replies softly.

My head lifts again as I stare at him. Cameron and I shared a few classes over the years, but I’d never really taken him in. Then again, it was hard to notice anyone else when Aiden was around. Cameron has those quintessential hunk features; strong jawline, high cheekbones, perfect straight nose and kind gray eyes. Like everyone on the team, his athletic body is a work of art. Cameron is different from the others, though. He didn’tprotest with the others when Melissa brought me to the locker room the other day and he defended me just now. Maybe there’s a silver lining. Maybe I can actually survive the next month and a half.

My smile widens as I stick my hand out. “We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Scarlett.”

Cameron smiles back. “Oh, I know who you are.” He takes my hand, anyway. “Cameron.”

“Thanks again, Cameron. It’s refreshing to know you’re not all bad.”

His smile fades. “None of us are—well,most of usaren’t. There’s so much passion and ambition that no one’s thinking clearly.”

That cryptic remark makes me scoff. “Well, they were thinking clearly enough to take a dump on the dirty uniforms,” I reply dryly.

“They did what?”Cameron gapes.

“Yup.” I go back to swiping up the garbage with my foot. “Your beloved captain thinks smearing shit is beneath him, so he sent his loyal subjects to do it.”

Cameron shakes his head vigorously. “Aiden would never allow anyone to do something so disgusting.”

“Right, so I should assume Noah messed with me on his own free will, when Aiden is the one carrying a grudge.”

“Do you really think Aiden is the only one with a grudge against you?” Cameron looks surprised. “Scarlett, that disqualification ruined plans for most of the team.”

“I had nothing to do with that,” I reply. “Aiden was the first—and only person to accuse me of anything and he’s thecaptain of the team. Forgive me if I don’t buy that he had nothing to do with this.”

He opens his mouth to say something, but I fan him off. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. All I want is to do my job in peace and I’d appreciate if they let me be.”

Reaching for the trash bag, I look back at him. “And if they keep dishing out those disgusting pranks, I’m going to report them to the school board.”

Cameron winces. “You might not want to do that,trust me.”

“Then tell your captain to leave me alone.”

He stares at me for a short beat. “I’m going to do what I can to get them off your back. Until then, just keep out of their way as much as you can.”

“I’d really appreciate that.”

He stops at the entrance, giving me a warning look. “Don’t stir up that hornet’s nest, Scarlett. Keep your head down.”

I give him a thumbs-up as he goes out. Going back to the trash, I realize I’m going to need another pair of gloves. I make my way to the utility closet, almost feeling like I could now find it with my eyes closed. My reflection from a mirror across the hall snags my attention and I grimace deeply. I hate looking at myself—

“Watch where you’re going.”

My entire body screeches to a halt, mere inches from Aiden’s towering figure. I step back, lifting my chin defiantly, despite already being overwhelmed by his huge body filling the small space. “Take your own advice, jerk.”

His thick brows lift. A flicker of humor dances behind his eyes and I curse my quivering voice for betraying how intimidated I am.

“Jerk.” He chuckles softly. “It’s obvious I’m not doing enough to bring my point across.”

“Yeah, locking me in a room filled with rodents, that wasn’t enough. Smearing your own uniforms with shit, now that’s—”

“What?”

The question comes in a sharp hiss, accompanied by a scowl that darkens his green eyes. I don’t know why they’re sucking me in like this, but I can’t look away. “What the fuck did you just say, Scarlett?”

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