Chapter 37
SADIE
I can’t say learning from Couch Lauda that Nick Fowler wasn’t the douche who vandalized my car didn’t affect me. I was sure it was him. Now I have no clue. But there’s nothing I can do besides try to move past that.
The referee’s whistle stops the game, and it takes me a second to realize it was because of me. Charlotte is lying flat on her back after I fouled her.
“Are you all right?” I offer her my hand.
Grimacing, she lets me help her up. “I hope so. But what the hell was that?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sadie!” Couch Lauda calls.
“Bollocks,” I mutter and then run to the sideline. “Yes, Coach?”
“What were you thinking? You bulldozed Charlotte.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“Is this about the incident yesterday?”
I want to deny it, but I don’t think lying will help me. “In a way. I’m really mad that the only suspect has an airtight alibi.”
“There’s nothing we can do about that. I’m relieved that Nick Fowler isn’t behind it. It’s possible this was a bad-taste prank.”
I bite my tongue, not wanting to dig a bigger hole for myself.
“Yes, probably.”
“I should bench you until you cool off, but we can’t really afford that. Our next game will be tough. I need my best players sharp, Sadie. Can I count on you?”
I nod. “Yes you can, ma’am.”
“Good. Now get back there and try not to maim your teammates.”
Being chewed out by Coach Lauda helps. I hadn’t realized before that I let my anger take control. I’m still aggressive, but I’m careful not to hurt anyone. By the end of practice, Coach is no longer watching me with disapproval. No surprise, considering I scored two goals against Steff.
In the locker room, Vanessa stops next to me. “Do you have any plans tonight?”
“I’m going back to Danny’s.”
“Really? You two went from zero to a hundred faster than a Tesla.”
I smirk. “I can’t deny that. I’d be on cloud nine if it weren’t for that bloody graffiti on my car. I’m annoyed that we’re back to square one.”
Vanessa leans against the locker, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s possible some jealous bitch did that.”
I frown. “Seriously? That’s extreme.”
She shrugs. “Bitches be crazy. You’re the hot freshman who snagged the most eligible bachelor on campus. I know a bunch of girls who are eating their hearts out now.”
“Any of them psychos?”
“Possibly. I’d have to ask my sister if any of her cheerleader friends have a crush on Danny.”
“Do you think she’d tell you?”
“I think she would, but to be honest, I don’t think this was done by a cheerleader. Doesn’t Danny have a jealous ex?”
I groan. “Fuck me. I didn’t even consider her. I was too focused on blaming Nick.”
Joanne walks over. “What are you talking about?”
“We’re trying to discover who trashed Sadie’s car. We may have found a new suspect.”
Joanne arches her eyebrows. “Oh, that crazy sorority chick. What’s her name again? Gwen?”
“How do you know she’s crazy?” I ask.
Joanne’s face turns a shade redder. She rubs her neck, looking sheepish. “Uh, well, I was hanging out with one of her sisters at their house and overheard a conversation.”
At first, I don’t get why Joanne would be embarrassed about that until it dawns on me. “Oh.”
“What did you hear?” Vanessa asks.
“I heard her saying that Danny deserved better than European trash.”
“What the fuck?” I snap. “Man, I knew she was a cunt.”
“Yeah, I got into her face and got kicked out,” Joanne adds.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to upset you.”
Right. She didn’t want me going berserk on Gwen’s ass. But I can’t fault her for thinking I would. I did kick Nick in the balls, after all.
“I’m glad you told us now, Jo,” Vanessa chimes in. “Gwen does sound like a person who would threaten Sadie because of a guy.”
“But how do we prove she did it?” I ask.
“The ChiO and Theta houses are having a joint charity event party on Thursday,” Joanne replies. “We should crash it and try to get information then. You know how trashed people get at those parties.”
Or drugged.
I shake my head, trying to forget my bad experience. “Count me in. If this bitch Gwen is responsible for my car, then she needs to pay.”
“Sadie…,” Vanessa starts.
“In the right way. I’m not touching her. I’ll let the school handle it.”
“Are you gonna tell Danny about your suspicion?” Joanne asks.
“Not without proof.”
“Good idea. He may think you’re picking on Gwen because you’re jealous of her,” Vanessa says.
I glare at her. “Like I’d be jealous of that girl.”
Vanessa lifts both hands in a sign of peace. “Sorry. Forget I said anything.”
I look away, pretending to be very interested in the contents of my locker. Anything to hide the fact that I am suffering from major retroactive jealousy. Danny did date the bitch, despite her odious personality. Everyone has a past, but that particular one is hard to swallow.