Page 50 of Fake Dates and Home Plates
Three sets of eyes narrow on me, questions written all over their faces, but I don’t go into detail. Not yet.
Instead, I sit there, forcing myself to listen as Ezra rattles off more colorful ways to harm a person. He’s pretty creative, and for a minute, I wonder if he has any experience with the level of violence he’s suggesting.
Or if he just watches a lot of movies.
Maybe he’s into reading or true crime like me.
It’s a good distraction, keeping me grounded to the moment instead of running straight for the fraternity house. I use all my frustration and rage to fuel me to stay here, listening to these guys I love like brothers chat.
Because if I make a move too soon, those bastards will probably walk free.
And that? That is not an option.
Chapter Twenty-One
Henley
Days and weeks have flown by since that first week of school. Between running, classes, and spending most of my free time with Theo, most of the semester passes in a blink.
Our team is gearing up for the final meet of the year. After the most intense practice season I’ve ever experienced—and I think the entire team would agree—I’m confident we’re ready for this.
Several of us qualified for the championship race individually, including me, Lily, and Maddie, and due to our ranking, the entire team qualified to run as well.
Even though our dynamic hasn’t felt quite right, somehow, we’ve made it through every practice without too much awkwardness.
Occasionally, I see the strange looks or even the forced smiles, filled with guilt. I’ve done my best to zone it out and concentrate on leading training. It might be wishful thinking, but I want to get through these last few practices without any unnecessary drama.
But today, the locker room feels tense.
I’m shoving my running shoes into my locker, more than ready to head home after a brutal practice, when I hearwhispering in the corner. It doesn’t take me long to realize I’m the subject of their hushed discussion.
My name is easy to hear, despite the volume of the locker room. While I’ve been happy to keep the peace, I’m certainly not one to shy away from confrontation.
I turn and stare as two freshman go back and forth, keeping their voicesalmostquiet but not quiet enough that I miss my name being mentioned. Oblivious to me approaching them, they continue to talk animatedly, too caught up in their gossip.
“What’s going on?” I ask, startling the two girls leaning into each other and interrupting their conversation.
They turn to face me before freezing, wide-eyed, looking terrified out of their minds at being caught. Lauren flushes bright red, the color almost dark enough to cover the freckles on her face, but her best friend, Willow, seems to be trying to appear unfazed. They side eye each other, silent for a moment, but finally, one of them cracks.
“We’re…worried,” Lauren says quietly, voice shaky as embarrassment seeps into her tone.
Willow huffs out a breath of frustration, flicking her hand dismissively, raising her voice, “Can you call off the dogs already?”
Around us, the room goes weirdly still.
I blink. “Excuse me?”
Looking around the locker room, I realize not many of my teammates can meet my eyes. Some are pretending to scroll on their phones while others appear to be fascinated by the floor.
The silence is suffocating; no one wants to be the one to speak up.
Lily instantly walks to my side, prepared to have my back no matter what. “What are you talking about, Willow?” Her voice is demanding, ensuring someone will explain what is going on.
Lauren looks scared out of her mind as she swallows so loud, I can almost hear it. “What Willow meant was to ask if there’s any way you can get the Delta Alpha guys and their followers to back off.”
My eyebrows shoot up on my forehead.
Willow, bravado holding strong, stands and places her hands on her hips. “Yeah, I get that you and Dakota broke up and you’re with Theo now, but can you all just leave the rest of us out of your love triangle?”
