10. Lincoln
LINCOLN
A large Victorian building loomed up ahead, the dark shadow becoming more visible as I drew closer, illuminated by my headlights. The Cranham Kings hockey house.
I knew a significant portion of the team lived there, including a certain red-headed menace. As I reached it, my gaze flicking between the house and the road, I noticed it was dark, other than a dim porch light. That probably meant they were all at the yard.
I’d done what I could to prepare for this inevitable clash. Daniel Hoyton and I were a volatile mix, and adding in the escalating interactions between us, it could only end up one way.
My fingers flexed on the steering wheel as I pressed down on the accelerator, speeding past the house. As soon as I cleared it, the high, impenetrable prison walls came into view. My jaw tightened. I’d done my best to avoid this place, but now I had no other option.
When I’d parked, I leaned back against the headrest, closing my eyes and taking deep, steady breaths until I was calmer. It was pointless, because I knew as soon as I saw Daniel, my blood pressure would go through the roof.
I found the group of Whelford students milling around outside the yard and came up next to Jasper, who gave me a nod. “Alright? You planning to fight later?”
“Yeah…probably.”
“Get your name down, quick.” He laughed. “Seems like there’s a few Flames players wanting a go at the Cranham scum, especially after the fight at our party. Some who aren’t players, either.” His gaze flicked behind me. “Including your girl.”
“The fuck, Campbell? I don’t have a girl.”
“My mistake.” A smirk curved across his lips. “You might want to notify Kimberly of that. She swore to Cara that you two were dating.”
“Cara? Your sister, Cara?”
“Obviously.”
“What? I don’t understand. How did she get the idea we were dating? She gave me a blowjob at the party—”
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know. I was there in the room when it was happening.”
Shit. Had he seen Daniel—
“You can wipe that panicked look from your face. I wasn’t watching you.
Bloody hell, bro, I’m not a voyeur. I was talking to Cara and one of her friends…
Iris? I dunno. Anyway, we were right over the other side of the room, and there was so much weed in the air that I couldn’t see shit even if I’d wanted to—which I didn’t, to be clear.
But if you’re that worried about people watching you, maybe don’t do it in a public place next time. ”
“I’m not worried. I just— Forget it. Okay. Kimberly.” I rubbed my hand over my mouth. “She gave me a blowjob and then took me back to her room…and okay, yeah, I fucked her. But I thought she knew what it was. It was a one-time thing.”
“One time? Haven’t you slept with her twice already this semester?”
“Keeping tabs on my sex life? I haven’t—” Fuck.
He was right. I had slept with her on two other occasions this semester, but I’d never even hinted at wanting anything more.
She was great, and always down for a good time, but I wasn’t into her beyond a casual hook-up.
Did that make me an asshole? Maybe, but I was also certain that I’d been careful not to give her any ideas about anything developing between us.
“Whatever she is or isn’t to you, you might wanna watch.” Gripping my shoulders, he turned me to face the yard entrance. “Quick. Better get inside. She’s about to fight.”
“Who? Kimberly? Kimberly Bridges? The Kimberly who petitioned for the Whelford Uni boxing society to be shut down because it was supposedly too violent?”
“Yes, that Kimberly. The one who claims she’s locked you down. You might remember her sucking your dick? We were literally just talking about it.”
“Fuck off,” I muttered as we filed into the yard with the rest of the Whelford students who’d shown up tonight. I took my place at the front of the group, folding my arms across my chest as I stared at the brunette stepping into the centre of the empty space reserved for the bouts.
I blinked. Shit. Jasper hadn’t been lying. She really was about to fight. But why?
Then a beautiful blonde stepped into the ring, and my stomach dropped.
Nova Thorpe. Syndicate princess, engaged to the Bratva heir, and the twin sister of Daniel’s best friend, Ryker.
There was no way Kimberly was going to come out of this unscathed. I’d never heard of Nova fighting before, but her brother was ruthless and brutal in a chillingly controlled way, and I had no doubt that he’d at least given her some tips.
“We need to stop this.”
“Kimberly can handle herself. It was her decision. It’s partly thanks to you that she’s even out there, anyway.”
“Huh?” My head shot around to see Jasper’s sister, Cara, standing next to me, shooting me an unimpressed look. “How is it thanks to me?”
“We all heard the rumour that you find women fighting hot, and it would impress you if she took part today.”
“What the hell?” I spluttered. “I’ve never— I don’t find women fighting hot! What in the actual— Who said that?”
Kimberly and Nova began to circle each other in the ring. I gritted my teeth, waiting for Cara’s answer.
“Everyone in Ashbrook House. I heard it from Neya, who heard it from Maisie, who heard it from— I’m not sure who she heard it from. The point is, everyone knows, and that’s why she’s out there now.”
My fists clenched, and my nostrils flared. Maisie. Pieces were beginning to fall into place.
“Campbell. Get me on the list for tonight against Hoyton. That arrogant bastard needs to be taught a lesson.”
“Oh, shit,” he mumbled.
Oh, shit, indeed. Daniel Hoyton was going to regret messing with me.
Kimberly threw the first punch, and Nova immediately retaliated with a spinning kick. Kimberly cried out, stumbling before she righted herself, and I winced.
“Come on, Kim,” Cara encouraged. I just wanted the fight to be over. Even from my position, I could see the glassy sheen in Kimberly’s eyes as Nova came at her with a back kick and then a jab to the ribs, making her double over with a gasp.
Then Anton Volkov strode into the fighting area, his usually cool, expressionless face twisted in anger.
He put his arm around Nova, steering her out of the ring, but my attention was on Kimberly.
Tears streaked down her face as she pushed through the crowd, her body hunched over as if she were trying to make herself smaller.
It was a distinct contrast to her usual outgoing persona.
“Kim! Over here!” Cara called, and her head whipped around. Her gaze connected with mine, and a sob tore from her throat. I acted on instinct, moving to wrap my arms around her trembling body.
“I-I thought you’d be proud of me,” she whimpered, and I cursed the red-headed demon who’d brought this on her.
“It was a malicious rumour. I don’t enjoy seeing women fight.”
Another sob tore through her at my words, and I looked to Jasper helplessly. What the fuck was I supposed to do? He held up his hands, shaking his head, and I glared at him.
“I-it was all for nothing.” Lifting her tear-stained face, she gave me a tremulous smile. “At least I have my man to make it all better.”
My brain screeched to a halt, the two words bouncing around inside my head. My man.
Oh, fuck no.
I opened my mouth to refute her words but closed it again. I couldn’t do this to her now, not while she was so upset. Her hesitant smile solidified, and before I knew what was happening, she was wrapping her arms around my neck and dragging me into a kiss.
Panic made me jerk away, and the hurt in her eyes had me cursing Daniel all over again. This was all his fault. “Uh, I need to get ready for my fight. Go with Cara. We need to talk later, okay?”
The wary look she shot me told me that she was well aware of what our conversation would be about, but she nodded. “O-okay.”
“Good.” I mustered up a smile before glancing at Cara. She immediately stepped over, sliding her hand around Kimberly’s waist. I didn’t stick around. Maybe it made me an asshole, but the simmering anger I’d been feeling had turned into fury, and there was only one way to make it go away.
When I reached Jasper, he nodded towards the ring. “You’re up next.”
“Good. Hold on to my shit.” Ripping off my hoodie and T-shirt, I thrust them at him, and then stalked over to Neo, who was officiating the fights. He wordlessly handed me two strips of tape so I could wrap my hands. Giving him a nod of acknowledgement, I entered the ring.
Through the ringing in my ears, I noticed the whispers and the growing excitement of the crowd. Everyone knew there was bad blood between me and Daniel Hoyton. Everyone knew that when we clashed, it was explosive.
Widening my stance, I flexed my knuckles.
Tonight, the Cranham students would see me take one of their kings down.