Chapter 15
Chapter fifteen
Sawyer
My feet are heavy as I force myself through the back entrance of the arena, each step taking far more energy than it should.
Ty won’t be here. Atty confirmed that he hasn’t been cleared to attend practice or classes yet when we had dinner together last night. Ty hasn’t left their room in days. I’m not worried about Mercer or Noah showing up here either.
But now I fear there will be questions.
Lots and lots of questions.
I haven’t worked in two weeks. Cam took me off the schedule, and I’ve successfully avoided my coworkers until now.
As I enter the lobby, the familiarity of it lifts some of my unease.
The smell of fresh ice and griddled hot dogs infiltrates my senses.
The whistles from inside the rink and the sound of the Zamboni humming are parts of a soundtrack I’ve heard thousands of times.
Several students hang out around the fireplace, studying and scrolling on their phones.
Smiling for the first time in two weeks—even if it’s only to myself—I head toward the skate rental counter.
As I circle toward the time clock, Arjun pops up, startling me.
“Sawy! You’re back!” He throws his arms around me, sending me stumbling back a step.
“Easy there, drama king.” Bryant appears, gripping his shoulder. “Let her at least clock in and see the gifts before you start love bombing her.”
I frown. “Gifts? What gifts?”
“She’s here!” Cam glides up from the back office with Kate and Freyja on her heels, and suddenly, I’m crowded on all sides, encased in a circle of familiar smiling faces.
“We missed you,” Kai tells me, empathy rolling off them in waves.
“Seriously, Davvies. Cam’s been a grouch since you’ve been gone,” Grant grouses.
Bryant slugs him in the arm, making him grunt.
“Have not.” Cam shoots him a contentious scowl. “I’ve got you scheduled as a floater today,” she says to me. “Figured we’d ease you back in.”
I hold back an eye roll. I was gone for two weeks. It’s not like I’ve forgotten how to do my job.
“And we all pitched in and got you these.” Arjun holds out an arm like he’s a presenter on a gameshow revealing a sizable prize.
A slim vase of flowers sits on the skate rental counter, along with cute earmuffs and matching gloves, a three pack of fuzzy socks, and an enormous bag of Skittles.
“That’s for me?” I ask, taking a tentative step toward the haul.
“Yes, silly. We’re glad you’re back. And we’re really glad you’re okay.” Cam leaves it at that.
By now, I imagine everyone has seen the video footage and that they all know some version of the story.
I don’t want to have to talk about what happened to Ty. I can’t bear to get into how or why it happened. I can’t fathom having to recall it or answer nosy questions.
So many people were hurt.
It’s done and needs to be over now.
Thankfully the group moves on to other topics pretty quickly.
“We could really use an extra player for broomball this week. Can I put you on the roster?” Grant asks.
While I’m grateful for the subject change, the thought causes dread to rise up inside me. The idea of going out and having fun like that? I don’t know that I can. I don’t know that I have the energy. “Let me think about it.”
“You’re not allowed to commit to that until you decide if you’re coming out with us this weekend,” Cam says. “There’s a huge party in Akron on Saturday night. A bunch of us are going, and Bryant’s the DD.”
“The DD who’s hoping to get lucky.” Kai snickers.
Bryant’s eyes go wide. But not as wide as Cam’s.
Grant lets out a sigh. “None of you take this league seriously. We have a real shot this year, people. I need you to bring your A game.”
Kate snorts. “You’re just mad you have to work on Saturday and can’t go to the party.”
As the chatter continues, I realize how silly it was to be so hesitant to return to work. If anything, being here surrounded by friends is the best place for me.
“Huddle up, fam. It’s love bombing time. Group hug!” Arjun says, arms out wide.
This time I don’t fight the eye roll. But when I’m swallowed up by arms and the warm bodies of people who care about me, the dismissiveness quickly transforms into uncontrollable laughter.
For the first time in two weeks, I don’t feel completely alone.
Ten minutes before the end of my shift, my phone vibrates in my back pocket. I scan the empty lobby and check over my shoulder to ensure Cam’s not around, then slide the device out.
I half expect to find a text from Noah or Atty. A small, quiet part of me wonders if maybe it could finally be a message from Ty. He hasn’t attempted to contact me at all. Not even through Atty.
When I unlock my phone and read the message, a bolt of surprise hits me.
Keira: I MISS YOU, BITCH! It’s been way too long!!
Chewing on my bottom lip, I consider how and even if I want to reply.
There was a time when Keira and I were close, though it was a friendship of convenience more than anything.
She was one of very few people who knew me before the incident and still treated me the same after.
To her discredit, I’m not sure she really cared about my parents’ deaths.
She was too self-involved to ask for details or question how I was coping.
Ultimately, though, it was nice to not be viewed as the girl whose parents were brutally murdered, so I clung to our friendship with a lot more gusto than I would have under different circumstances.
We grew closer while I was on my own, attending university near our hometown while the guys were in Verchamp playing for the Scorpions.
Keira loved to go out and party. I loved to go out and forget.
I consider her more of an accomplice than a true friend. Rarely did I trust or even expect her to look out for me. But she was always up for whatever, and there wasn’t a vice she wouldn’t try.
Before I can work out how I want to reply, she texts again.
Keira: So listen. JD and I are coming to the States this weekend for some party. It’s in a place called Akron. I think it’s close to where you’re going to school now.
Akron?
That has to be the party Cam and Arjun were talking about earlier.
While I’m surprised they’d come all this way for a party, it’s not totally strange, I suppose, considering JD’s occupation.
He’s a DJ—yes, a DJ named JD—but he’s also a recreational drug dealer.
Akron must be expecting huge crowds if he’s willing to travel to another country to push product.
With another look around to ensure Cam isn’t nearby, I type out a quick reply.
Sawyer: Hi! How are you? I miss you, too! I heard about that party, actually. I was thinking about going.
Keira: Kismet. JD wants to know if you want to meet up. And if we could crash at your place afterward.
I scrunch my nose. I’m not super keen on hosting two people in my dorm. Especially these two people. If Keira and JD aren’t fighting, they’re fucking. I’d rather not be in the middle of their drama. But seeing them would provide the kind of distraction I could really use right now.
Maybe reconnecting with Keira is what I need to take my mind off Tytus, Noah, and Mercer. A party a few towns over where very few people know who I am or who I’m related to would be the perfect outlet to blow off steam.
Sawyer: I don’t have much space at my dorm to host, but we can definitely meet up. Text me your travel plans. See you Saturday!