29. Ashley
CHAPTER 29
ASHLEY
I knew there was a chance I’d find Sean at the Halloween party. I didn’t expect to see him chatting with another girl. I was so jealous, I couldn’t breathe. Instead of heading in a different direction, I approached them. Then I heard one of those morons making fun of Sean’s costume and couldn’t stop myself from butting in.
But my interference almost made Sean get into a fight again. The realization that I could be a bad influence on him felt like a punch to my chest. When his teammates showed up, I left and went back to my dorm room. I had to text Kadence and Scarlett with an excuse as to why I bailed on them early. The evening was ruined.
I’ve been lying in my bed for hours without any hope of falling asleep. I keep tossing and turning, thinking about Sean at the party, flirting with other girls. I hate myself for being so stupid and falling for him. I’ve missed him so damn much in the past couple of weeks. But nothing good will happen if we start seeing each other again.
My phone rings, and my heart skips a beat. I grab it from my nightstand, hoping to see Sean’s name on my screen, but it’s an unknown number. I think about ignoring it, then reconsider and hit the accept button.
“Ashley, is that you?”
“Who’s this?”
“It’s Alex Kaminski, Sean’s teammate.”
I sit up at once, and my heart leaps into my throat. “Did something happen to Sean?”
“Yeah. Could you come by?”
I’m out of my bed in an instant. “Where are you?”
“In his dorm room.”
“I’m on my way.”
I hastily put on clothes, not caring about what I’m wearing. My heart is beating so fast that it feels like it will leapfrog out of my mouth. I should have asked Alex what was wrong with Sean, but if he’s in his dorm room, then it’s probably not serious. Although, it could be, and Alex is just too stupid or too drunk to realize that.
Sean’s dorm is a block away from mine, and I make it there in less than three minutes. I call Alex back.
“Hey.” He answers on the first ring, and in the background, I hear Sean ask if Alex is talking to me. He sounds drunk as hell.
“I’m outside the building. Let me in.”
“You got it.”
He buzzes me in, and I end the call. I’m too anxious to wait for the elevator, even though Sean’s room is on the sixth floor. I sprint up the stairs, glad that my ankle is healed.
By the time I arrive at Sean’s room, I’m running a sweat. The door is ajar, and from the hallway, I see Sean curved over a trash can, puking his guts out while his three teammates watch. Hell.
Logan or Alex, I can’t tell who, looks at me. “Thank fuck you’re here.”
Sean lifts his face and squints. “Ash, you came.”
He turns to the trash can and hurls some more.
“How much did he drink?”
“Not enough to cause this,” the third guy, dressed in all black, replies.
“He was fine one second, and then he complained of being dizzy,” the twin wearing a Hawaiian shirt replies. “I think those fuckers from the football team put something in his drink.”
My brows shoot to the heavens. “You think they roofied Sean?”
“It’d explain his current state,” guy-in-black replies.
“He needs medical attention then.”
I walk over and drop to my knees next to Sean. He stops vomiting and looks at me. “I’m sorry, babe.”
Shit. I can’t believe he called me that in front of his friends. There goes our secret.
“Don’t apologize, Sean.” I caress his face. “We need to take you to the ER.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine, dude. You’ve been puking for ten minutes,” the other twin says.
I look over my shoulder. “I need your help getting him out of here.”
“No problem,” guy-in-black says. “I’m Darren, by the way.”
“I’d say nice to meet you, but this situation blows.”
“I know.”
I get back on my feet and wait for them in the hallway. The room is already too crowded. Darren and Hawaiian-shirt twin get Sean back on his feet, but he can barely move on his own.
Progress is slow, but I can’t complain. I’m glad Sean’s friends are here to help. I run to get my car and park in front of the building. Once everyone gets in, I press the pedal to medal and peel off the curb.
The twin wearing the leather jacket and riding shotgun reaches for the grab handle and says, “Easy there, Verstappen.”
“I know what I’m doing,” I retort.
“Getting into an accident before we reach the hospital won’t help Sean.”
“I’m not wrecking the car,” I grit out. “I’m an excellent driver.”
“Shut up, Logan,” the twin in the back says. So, Hawaiian-shirt is Alex. Good to know.
“How is Sean?” I ask. I’m speeding, so I don’t dare check on him in the rearview mirror.
“Shit. He’s passed out,” Alex replies.
My stomach tightens. “Is he breathing?”
“Yes.”
I’m worried, but I’m also fucking pissed. “So you think one of those football jerks dropped something into Sean’s drink.”
“It’s the only logical explanation. Who else would do that to him?” Darren asks.
“They’d better pray Sean gets out of this without permanent damage,” I say.
“Prayers won’t save them,” Logan replies darkly. “Those assholes will pay.”
I don’t reply. I didn’t believe for one second that Sean’s teammates wouldn’t offer retribution, but punishment won’t bring me comfort if something bad happens to Sean.
Guilt spreads through my chest. If I hadn’t opened my big mouth tonight, maybe those fuckers wouldn’t have poisoned Sean. This is partially my fault.