Page 61 of Toxic Obsession

Kane shot me a look, probably wondering if I was keeping my shit together or about to lose it all over Coach’s marble floors.

“And Quinn?”

I faced her. “Ma’am?”

“No matter what happens today, the fact that you’re here to talk about the video will go a long way with him.”

Inwardly, I cringed. I wished she hadn’t found out, but I figured Coach would talk to her.

“I hope so. Um, how did he find out?”

“Social media. Someone used their phone to capture it all the moment it started to happen.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to ease the tension, but it was no use.

Kane and I walked down the hall and past the kitchen to Coach’s office. I’d been here several times before, but this one was different. My palms grew sweaty, and I wiped them on my jeans. Kane knocked on the partially open door, then I heard Coach’s voice tell us to come in.

My heart nearly jackhammered out of my chest as I walked in, tension snaking down my neck and spine.

“Quinn.” Coach nodded to one of the two chairs in front of his desk.

I sat down and Kane settled into the chair beside me.

“I know you explained a little bit about the video when you called, but I would like the rest of the story. At this point, your actions were despicable, but I’ll try to hold judgment until I understand the entire situation.”

I stared at my shoes, wishing the floor would swallow me whole. Coach had been a father figure to me since I’d landed a spot on his team, and I felt like shit for letting him down. I straightened in my seat and began to tell him about Bell and how Kyler had killed her in a school shooting.

The color drained from Coach’s face, his jaw tensing. “I had no idea you lost your twin. I can’t imagine what that did to you and your family. I wish you’d told me this when you had arrived at Whitmore. Maybe I could have helped when you needed it most.”

My soul soaked in his words. Here I was judging Wynter because I thought she hadn’t told anyone about Kyler, but I was just as guilty of not confiding in the people who gave a crap about me. “No one knew. I had convinced myself that I was leaving my past behind if I never talked about it again.”

“I can speak firsthand when I say that shit doesn’t play out like that,” Kane added.

When I explained that Wynter was Kyler’s sister, Coach blanched. “I didn’t realize they were related. I’ve not seen the video. I hope it’s been destroyed, but I would assume kids at the party probably recorded it on their phones. It’s most likely all over campus … or even viral by now.”

“That was my stupid plan.” My fingers drummed restlessly on my jean-clad thigh. “After the video, Wynter was waiting for me.” I explained what she had told me, leaving out the part that she was hiding in my room and held a dagger to my throat. At least I’d had the presence of mind to clean the small cut and blood off my neck before I’d taken Wynter to her house. It was barely visible now, which supported my theory that Wynter wasn’t a violent person unless she was backed into a corner.

“Well, since it didn’t happen on school grounds, I don’t think the university can take action against you. As far as keeping you on the team …” Coach leaned back, his brown eyes focused on me and his poker face in place. “You’re a hell of a player and a good kid, Quinn. You made some bad choices.” He scrubbed his jaw with his hand and stared at the floor for what felt like an eternity. Slowly, he looked at me again. “What are you going to do to make this right?”

“I might need your help with Wynter, if you’re open to that?”

“In what way?” He studied me, waiting for me to reply.

“If Whitmore feels Wynter shouldn’t attend anymore, can you help me fight for her to stay?”

Coach looked at me as if I had three tits. “Quinn, a school shooting is a difficult topic. People are going to be furious. Some will understand that she’s not the same as her brother, but as history has already proved to her, that’s not always the case. Plus, have you considered that she might be in physical danger if she stays? What if it’s safer for her to leave?”

No! She can’t leave. I just found her.

“Yeah. I’m already working with Sutton Westbrook. Kane referred her to me. If I need to, I’m prepared to hire a bodyguard for Wynter. Sutton’s helping me dig into the shooting. Some information never came to light …” I bowed my head, the truth weighing on me. “The media never mentioned Wynter’s efforts to talk to Kyler, her parents, the school—anything to stop the shooting. I want to help Wynter bring her story to light. Maybe …” My fists clenched, Bell’s smiling face flickering through my mind’s eye. “Maybe we can make a difference together. I want to try. She lost her brother, and I lost Bell. I think I can be Wynter’s voice until others listen to hers.”

Coach’s brows rose. “That’s a big commitment when you’re not even sure what Monday will look like.”

“I’ll help, too.” Kane said. “It’s a worthy cause and could also help families heal over what happened. Shit, Coach, you know what I lived through. My past affected everyone around me.”

Coach’s attention bounced between us, and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head. “Okay. I don’t know Wynter, but if both of you vouch for her, I’ll do what I can. I agree, her story could be powerful. I say let’s help her shine.”

A huge wave of gratitude flooded my system. I fisted my hand over my heart, showing my appreciation since I couldn’t seem to get the words out.

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