Page 69 of Wicked Ends
But once, not so long ago, I would have given the entire world for just one person to ask me if I was okay. To notice my pain and suffering.
I took a halting breath and tried to compose myself.
Okay, time to go home.
I was worried about Marcus, and now, I’d seen firsthand that he was in one piece. I had no excuse to hang around.
I left the bathrooms and pushed through the glass doors of the rink, then stopped. Marcus was standing outside, hair wet from a shower and dressed in his usual outfit of dark jeans and black T-shirt, his hockey bag at his feet. He had to have showered in record time. That did something to my heart that I couldn’t explain.
He was leaning against the railing at the bottom of the stairs, talking to someone. A girl. A very pretty girl.
I felt stupid then. Ridiculous. I considered turning and going back into the rink before they could see me. I could hide until they’d left, and then I didn’t have to answer for stalking my student to his hockey practice when he hadn’t shown up for class.
But then the girl glanced up and saw me, spoiling my chance.
She giggled and said something to Marcus. He turned to look at me.
Okay, well, too late to save face; time to brazen it out.
I raised my chin and walked down the stairs. The girl was stunning. Young and blonde and in the tightest workout gear I’d ever seen. I couldn’t blame her; if I had that body, I’d probably dress like that, too. Why the hell not?
Still, I’d never felt older and frumpier than I did right now. A stray wrapper drifted past my feet, and I bent and picked it up without thinking, tucking it into my pocket to dispose of later.
Ari, you’re just the kind of fucking nosy bitch who can never let things pass.
“Professor, do you like hockey?” the girl asked, grinning ear to ear.
“I needed to see Coach Williams about something,” I lied smoothly.
“Oh, right. That makes sense. For a second I thought you came to watch the practice, and I was like… why?”
The girl laughed, and I forced a smile. Marcus’ eyes felt like they were burning a hole in the side of my cheek. I didn’t dare turn to him.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said and made to step past them but didn’t get far.
Marcus’ hand wrapped around my elbow, stopping me completely.
“Nice seeing you, Lana, but like I said, I’ve got plans. I usually do,” he said in a disinterested tone.
The pretty girl flushed. “It’s Lara.”
Marcus shrugged. “Sure. See you later.”
Then he stared at the poor girl until she picked her bag up, glancing curiously at my arm still clutched in Marcus’ grip, and left.
“You could have gone with your… friend.”
“Why are you here?” Marcus interrupted, his dark eyes drilling into me.
Okay, so no small talk.
“You didn’t come to class,” I started.
“So, what, you track down all the students who are no-shows in your private time? That must keep you busy.”
I clenched my jaw, and heat prickled at my cheeks. God, this was embarrassing.
“Fine.” I met his demanding gaze. “I was worried, okay? You ran out of the motel last night, and the look on your face… it was like someone had died. Then you didn’t show up for class.”
