Chapter Thirty-Two Sam
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
SAM
The locker room is the loudest it’s ever been, but I’m not sure if it’s the actual volume or if my senses are just that heightened.
Then there is also the fact that sleeping last night was out of the question.
Alex was so pissed about the call from Jackson that we never got around to making it to that study session.
I mean how could we? He single-handedly dropped a massive bomb on me with his discovery about the offshore account. And after all of that, I am no closer to finding out what the hell is going on.
But there’s one thing that’s starting to come together. Whatever’s going on, whatever happened back when our mothers were students here, it all has something to do with that damn club.
The Aurelian Circle.
And from the sound of things, I was right, Chancellor Williamsburg is wrapped up in it. And maybe the Kincaids, too. It’s the only thing that explains why Mr. Kincaid and the chancellor stepped out of the office that day and let me off the hook.
I scan the space, my eyes landing on Mountain, who’s standing on the other side of the room with his back against the wall.
He’s wearing his usual disposition, permanently furrowed brows, lips pressed thin, arms folded over his broad chest. And while his posture hasn’t changed, his eyes have more expression in them as he stares at me.
We haven’t spoken since that kiss.
Kane moves closer to Mountain. He’s shirtless, his skin glistening even under the fluorescent lighting. He’s taller than the others, not by a lot but it’s noticeable. He, too, is wearing that permanent scowl. I didn’t get what he was so angry about before. But now I understand.
In that alley he filled me in on how his mom has spent more time in that facility over the years than she did at home. And when I asked if the guys knew, he never answered, but his eyes said it all. He was alone in this.
Finally, Kane looks at me, his gaze darkening as a chill runs the length of my spine. I’m sure it’s because of seeing me with Alex and Mountain. He’s jealous, and oddly enough, I like it. Knowing that I make him like that does something to me.
I blink to clear my head, try to look away, but neither he nor Mountain breaks their stare.
It doesn’t matter that there’s a locker room full of guys, or that all it would take is for one person to catch the glances between us and find a way to use it against me.
Many of them already think I injured Jackson.
I can hear the rumor mill now: Slutty Sam, Puck Bunny of the Year.
I shake my head and try to focus on my task.
But then the hairs on my neck rise. I snap my head just in time to watch Alex walk into view, his green eyes locked onto mine.
His usually arrogant grin is replaced with a clenched jaw.
Alex peers at Kane and Mountain before bringing his attention back to me.
His shoulders tense, and it feels like he’s questioning me.
Me? Or them? I can hear loud and clear even though he never opens his mouth.
There’s a tightness around my lungs, and I have to force myself to breathe.
Alex inches forward, one foot after the other, in my direction.
But he never breaks eye contact, even when I shuffle nervously in place or drop my chin to my chest. From my peripheral vision, I notice Kane and Mountain shift in place but neither of them move.
“What are you doing, Sam?” I mutter to myself. “They’re friends, for Christ’s sake.”
Alex is in front of me now, looming over me, his voice low and pointed. “You okay?”
He’s concerned about me.
With a wavering gaze, I nod. “If you’re asking if he called back, no.”
Alex steps forward, closing what little distance is between us.
A shudder rolls through me, his manly scent damn near overwhelming me.
He’s pinned me between the concrete pillar and his hard chest. Then he touches me, his fingers wrapping around mine so innocently.
Heat slicks across my skin, and I swallow down a lump.
“I’m going to take care of him.”
I shake my head but before the words can leave my lips, a voice breaks out behind us.
“You bitches miss me?” Jackson blurts out.
And I go still as I peer around Alex to see Jackson limping in. He’s no longer on crutches but instead he wears a hard cast. It’s like someone lit a fuse the way the team’s excitement explodes. Several of the players rush toward him, their voices blurring together.
“Took your sweet-ass time to come see us,” someone jokes.
“Had to make an entrance.” Jackson shrugs.
“Think you’ll be cleared in time for nationals?” goes a different person.
As soon as the words leave his lips, Jackson glares at me from across the room. And then everything from that second on moves at breakneck speed. Anger flickers in Alex’s eyes, and he’s off before I can stop him. I claw at his arm, but he jerks away, fist curled at his side.
“Alex. Let it go,” I plead but it’s useless.
Simultaneously, Mountain pushes off the wall, stoically stalking over to me.
He doesn’t acknowledge Jackson, his only focus being me.
My quiet protector. Kane watches us, his brows furrowing as he braces himself, and when he reads the emotions coming off of Alex, he weaves through the crowd to reach him.
“Kincaid,” Alex barks. There’s venom in his tone, sharp and icy. “Why the fuck have you been threatening her?”
Like a true psychopath, Jackson smiles, completely unfazed. The way his shoulders pull back, the pride in his stance tells me he knows exactly what Alex is referring to.
“What’s gotten into you, Williamsburg?” Jackson smirks. “Let me guess—” His eyes trail around Alex to me. The sick bastard is enjoying this. Feeding off it.
Alex lunges forward.
Kane steps in fast, shoving a hand against Alex’s chest. “We don’t need another fight.”
Alex is seething, unsuccessfully moving Kane out of the way.
“You fucking pussy,” Alex spits. “You think that shit’s cool.”
A screeching silence sweeps across the room, as everyone stares on in confusion.
“Going after a girl,” Alex continues.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jackson lies.
“You know exactly what the fuck you did.” Alex points over Kane’s shoulder.
“Alex. What the fuck is going on?” Kane demands to know, craning his neck to keep Alex’s eyes on him.
“Whatever that bitch told you is a lie,” Jackson snaps, that cold demeanor shattering just a bit.
“Watch your—”
Mountain is in front of me now, using his large frame like a barrier. “Eyes on me.”
I nod, inhaling deeply, but it does nothing to settle the raging emotions.
“Boys,” a deep voice slices through the air.
Every head turns to the sound of it. Chancellor Williamsburg strolls into the locker room with Coach Barrett only a few feet behind him. He walks like he owns the place. The effect is immediate—an invisible leash that tightens around every throat.
Alex stiffens beside Kane, and for the first time, I see it—that barely perceptible shift. A crack in the composure they wore like armor. Both of them straighten.
“Our focus needs to be on being ready to take home another championship.” The chancellor peers around the room into the faces of everyone here.
Everyone but me. No, he treats me as if I’m invisible. Typical.
“Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” the team responds in unison. Except for my guys. They can’t… won’t make that promise.
“Make the school proud. As you know, we host a celebratory dinner in honor of your efforts each year. I’ve come to formally invite you all to our estate this Saturday at seven-thirty.
There will be some very important benefactors in attendance, so make sure you’re presentable.
” He turns his gaze to Alex. “And on your best behavior.”
Alex clenches his fist but manages to keep his composure.
“That’s it. You boys have a good practice. Coach Barrett, can I have a word in your office?” He glances back at the coach, whose only response is a nod.
The two men leave the room, and the tension thickens again. But thankfully, Ryker steps in front of his brother and escorts him out of the locker room. Others grab their gear and begin to file out. The moment we’re alone, Kane and Alex stomp toward Mountain and me.
“Want to tell me what that was all about?” Kane glances between the three of us.
Mountain looks at me, using his eyes to ask permission. I nod.
“Jackson tried to drug Sam the night of the party, but she fought him off.”
Kane snaps his head in my direction. Anger builds behind his irises.
“And he’s been harassing her, calling and sending threatening messages,” Alex adds.
Mountain’s whole body goes stiff.
Kane aggressively peers at me. “Why’d you keep this from me?”
“Because none of you would’ve picked me over him.”
“I don’t know how I can do this anymore,” I tell Evan as I hold the phone up to see his face, my desperate strides taking me away from the rink.
Practice is nowhere near over, and once Coach realizes I’ve abandoned post, he’s going to be pissed. But there was no way I was waiting for Jackson to sneak back into the locker room while I was alone.
It’s early, and because of that there aren’t many other students out in the quad. The first thing I did after getting out of the locker room was FaceTime Evan. He’s the only one who can calm me down right now.
“Wait. Slow down. What are you talking about? Can’t do what?” Evan questions, his voice still groggy from sleep.
“Everything. This school, the people… I can’t do it. I want to come home.”
Evan sighs and sits up in bed. “Okay. Relax, Sam. You didn’t get into that school just to throw it all away before the end of the semester. What’s going on?”