Page 10 of Cold Front
Still there. Still brooding. But no longer alone.
A few guys had gathered now, hockey players from the way they carried themselves. They clapped him on the back, cracked jokes, and while he wasn’t exactly lively, he didn’t push them away either.
I should’ve just grabbed my drink and gone back to my table, but instead, I lingered.
I wasn’t sure what I was waiting for.
Maybe for him to look up.
To notice me the way I’d been noticing him.
But he didn’t.
And I told myself it didn’t matter.
I headed back to the room. Gigi and Asher were in an animated discussion with a couple of people. Rather than join them, I veered toward the refreshment station at the back.
Near the drink setup, two guys lounged on a low couch. One had his feet propped up on the coffee table, a soda can balanced precariously near the edge. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but in the relatively quieter space, their voices carried.
“Didn’t think he would actually show up,” the other guy said.
“Yeah, me neither,” soda guy replied. “He never comes to these anymore.”
The first guy shook his head, his expression somewhere between casual observation and something softer—sympathy, maybe. “Beginning of freshman year, Caldwell was the life of the party—orientation week activities, frat parties, campus social events—made friends with everyone. Before everything happened.”
I froze, my hand tightening around my cup.
Caldwell?
“Yeah… after his parents’ accident, dude just disappeared off the social radar,” the first guy scoffed.
Were they talking about… my roommate? Or, was it possible they meant someone else? Another Caldwell on campus?
“Crazy to think about now, but he used to be the guy who brought the energy to every room,” soda can guy said.
“Still, Iron Wall or not, that’s a lot to deal with,” the other guy added, his tone softening slightly.
Iron Wall.
My stomach dipped. Asher had mentioned that before—Niall’s hockey nickname.
There was no question now. No coincidence. They were talking about him.
About my roommate.
I didn’t realize I was staring at them until Gigi’s voice startled me. “Eli! Break’s over,” she called from across the room.
I grabbed a bottle of water and hurried back to my table, but my thoughts were spinning.
Niall made friends with everyone? That didn’t fit the guy who’d barely acknowledged my existence all week. But if what they said was true… something changed after his parents’ accident. Something big enough to make him shut everyone out.
I still didn’t know the whole story. But now, at least, I knew therewasa story.
Back at the table, Gigi nudged me with her elbow. “What took you so long? Don’t leave us hanging when we’re about to win!” she teased, pointing at the trivia host, who was reading the question.
I forced a grin, but my mind wasn’t on the game anymore.
I fumbled for an answer when it was my turn, barely managing to string something coherent together.
