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“She had the green apple splatters and went home. I’m towel boyandwaterboy.”

“You are doing a great job!”

“I am.” I laugh at his confidence.

“I’ll let you get back to work, Lyndell. See you later.”

“Good. Good.” I wander down the sideline and notice for the first time the quiet subdued nature of the team. Especially Prib. There’s an odd tension in the way he holds himself. And now that I think about it, he hasn’t been as polished this game, like he’s distracted. He must be concerned about Phia. I mean, don’t get me wrong, having the shits a hundred years ago was a dire situation, but now…I’m sure she’ll be fine in a day or so. Probably ate something that didn’t agree with her stomach.

I should have gotten her number, then I could check on her. Maybe I’ll find Prib after the game and see if he can give her my number. I’d like to get together with her for lunch or just to hang out. She seems like someone I could be friends with.

After the game, I pack up quickly and park myself outside the locker room to wait for Prib. Tyrone walks out first, fresh and clean from the shower…where he was naked and water dripped down his washboard abs, following a happy little trail to his—

“Tyrone!” I say a little too loudly. He looks up from his phone and gives me a small smile when he sees me. My stomach dips at the lackluster greeting, but my brain rallies as my eyes follow down the length of his body. How does he make athletic pants and a t-shirt sexy? Oh, right, cause the sleeves are torn off exposing his muscular arms, the profile of firm pecs, hard abs,and the pants accentuate his long, long, legs. He’s over 6 feet, but not by much, just enough to be taller than me so I’d have to stretch on my toes to kiss him. I shake my head to get rid of inappropriate thoughts. The haze of lust dissipates when I notice his expression is drawn. “Are you alright?”

“Hey, Edee. Sorry, I can’t talk right now.”

“What’s going on? Everyone seems off today.”

“Phia Kerr, the water girl, she’s missing.”

“Phia is missing? I thought she went home sick.”

“So did everyone else. But no one can get a hold of her.”

“I want to help. Find her, I mean.”

His shoulders loosen. “Thank you. Prib is really worried.”

Nearly the entire athletic department is searching the stadium and complex for her. I’m starting to think she’s not here when Tyrone gets a text message. “They found her stuff in the trainer’s room. Phone and keys. She didn’t go home.”

I follow him down the corridor toward the elevator. We ride down in charged silence. I step into the women’s bathroom, relieve my angry bladder and wash my hands. When I walk out, Tyrone is bouncing from foot to foot. “Did they find her?”

“They know she went into the hydration room, but she never came out.”

“What? Why didn’t you go there?” I start running down the hallway.

“I was waiting for you!” Aw, that’s so sweet. Now is not the time. I stop and he nearly barrels into me. “Where’s the hydration room?”

He chuckles softly and leads the way into the locker room. We stop short, the room packed with players and personnel. Myheart stops when I hear a guttural scream from Prib. Oh, God. No. No!

“She’s alive!” someone yells and my heart restarts much faster than before. Thank God. I can’t believe this happened here. Someone tried to kill her, drown and suffocate her in the hot tub. She’s so sweet, who would want to hurt her?

Coach Heacock.

The name is screamed in my head. My stomach churns, my fingers tingly at the cold truth. He’s the only one who hated her, the only one who was openly hostile with the poor girl. Is he capable of something like this? I don’t know. I don’t want him to be, but I can’t ignore his behavior.

Ty leads me and Lyndell outside to the parking lot after the paramedics arrive. We grab our bags on the way out and stand in a spot out of the way. A crowd gathers and soon most of the lot is full. Lyndell slips his hand into mine. Looking up at him, my breath hitches at the tears that stain his cheeks. I squeeze his hand, offering my silent support.

I’m not sure how much time passes before the paramedics wheel Phia out on a gurney, Prib clutching her hand, walking alongside them. Movement to the right catches my eye. I release Lyndell’s hand and pull my camera out of my bag. I start snapping pictures of the crowd, trying to get as many faces as I can.

Tyrone scowls at me, “You can’t give them some privacy? Anything for a story?”

I swallow hard, understanding why he feels that way. I hate that I’m doing this, but something in my gut tells me I need to. Someone needs to document what’s going on. “Not for a story.” I whisper. “Something’s not right. Someone tried to not just hurt her but kill her. I’m taking pics of the crowd to gauge reactions.Maybe I’ll capture something that could help find out who did this to her.”

His scowl drops, an expression of contrition in its place. “Oh.” He sighs, closes his eyes, and tips his head back. “I feel dumb.”

Lyndell snorts. “You should.”

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