Chapter 25 #2
I think back to Renner and how he hated sports, hell, I’m pretty sure he hated me.
I don’t have any clue as to why I wanted him or why he wanted me.
Maybe it was loneliness on my part. I wanted a relationship, and he seemed eager at first to give me that.
I ignored the fact that we had nothing in common, but I guess it was a lesson I needed to learn.
“Jett?”
I turn around to find Hailey, Renner’s former hookup, standing behind us. Talk about timing. I notice she’s accompanied by another student, a woman I don’t recognize.
“Hey.”
Hailey steps forward.
“I figured you’d be here given Ethan’s game.”
Word of our relationship traveled fast around campus. And if the gossip didn’t confirm it, me wearing his jersey would.
“Hey, Jackson.”
He nods at Hailey.
“Jett, do you have a moment to talk?” Hailey asks.
“Um, sure, what’s up?”
“This is my friend, Willow. Can we talk to you in private?”
Willow… the name sounds familiar, and I rack my brain as to why.
“Can we make this quick because I want to watch the rest of the game?” I explain.
“It won’t take long.”
I nod.
“I’ll be right back,” I say to Jackson.
Hailey heads for the nearest exit, so I follow her and Willow down the hallway toward the locker room.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Hailey looks at Willow and then back at me.
“We wanted to warn you about Renner.”
My stomach revolts at hearing his name.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s been acting weird and it’s getting worse.”
“Weird how?”
Hailey bites her lower lip.
“He wanted me and Willow to tell you that we’d had a threesome with Ethan recently, and he even offered us money to do it. When we refused, Renner got angry. Like, ballistic yelling and screaming kind of angry.”
Then it hits me.
“Now I know why your name’s familiar.” I snap my fingers and point at Willow. “Renner came up to me at the last hockey game and gave me that threesome story, but I didn’t believe him.”
“I did sleep with Ethan, but that was a while ago,” Willow replies. “Like, last semester. Way, way before you and he got involved.”
I don’t want to hear about it, but it is what it is. I can’t erase Ethan’s past or mine.
“I get it.”
“Anyway,” Hailey continues. “We had to warn you, because Renner scared both of us. I’m still freaked out. He sent me so many angry texts that I had to block him.”
First me, now Hailey. I’ve had it with Renner and his bullshit.
“I’m going to make a formal complaint about Renner’s harassment,” I confirm. “Will you guys be willing to act as witnesses?”
“Yes,” Hailey confirms.
Willow nods.
“Absolutely.”
“If you still have his messages, take screenshots and send them to me. I’ll contact HR as well as campus security and then give you an update on what happens next,” I add. “Let’s exchange numbers so we can stay in touch.”
As we’re swapping numbers, I can hear the roar of the crowd getting louder. I need to get back to Ethan’s game.
“If Renner tries to confront you again, record it,” I add.
“We will,” Willow replies.
“And I’m sorry about, you know, what happened at Renner’s back at the beginning of the semester,” Hailey offers. “I really did think that you guys were over. I feel like a fool for believing him.”
“This is all on him,” I reassure her. “All of it.”
Hailey nods and offers a small smile, and then she and Willow head for the exit.
I make my way back to Jackson and tell him the latest news about Renner while we watch the rest of the game.
“I think you’re doing the right thing,” he says. “If you stay silent, he’s going to keep at it.”
I do a quick search for my student HR rep and draft an email explaining the situation. I didn’t delete Renner’s texts, so I attach what I have, and the dates and times when he confronted me. I have all my teammates and the Cougars as witnesses during the soccer game too.
As I’m typing and searching my phone for related messages and pics, I happen upon some photos I took on the day of the boatshed break-in.
Something nags at me. Nothing major was stolen, so the motive probably wasn’t robbery.
I didn’t think of it at the time, and I certainly don’t have proof, but is it possible Renner broke into our shed in anger to get back at me?
Given his recent behavior, I wouldn’t put it past him.
I mention the incident in my email, copy campus security and send a group text Archie, Hudson, and Lin, giving them the heads-up.
Hudson: We got your back, bud.
Archie: Always. Glad you’re making a formal complaint about Renner.
Lin: I’ll follow up with campus security about your suspicion re: the break-in. Stay safe and let us know if you need anything.
Jett: Thanks, guys, appreciate it. Jackson and I are watching the rest of the hockey game. TTYL
I pocket my phone and look up just in time. Ethan passes to Jace, and Jace winds up for what I know will be a wicked slapshot. In no short order, we’ll be watching him play in the NHL.
The puck whizzes past the goalie’s blocker and slams into the net, the buzzer lighting up.
“Holy shit!” I yell at the same time as Jackson, both of us jumping up and down and cheering as loud as we can. “4–3 Cougars!”
I forget all about Renner and soak in the celebration with my friend.
Ethan
We clinch the game over Boston, which means we clinch the competition final, and after hugging my teammates, the first person I look for is Jett. He and Jackson are talking to Damien, but I can’t wait another second and rudely interrupt their conversation.
“Sorry, Coach, I need to speak to my boyfriend.”
It’s all good because Jett can’t wait either. It doesn’t matter that I’m still in my uniform, padded up and sweaty as hell. Before I know it, he’s in my arms, and I’m hugging him tight. I’m so far gone for him that it still blows my mind.
My feelings have gone way beyond my initial obsession; I know right then and there that I’m in love with Jett. Only, I don’t know how to process that bombshell, except that I’m deliriously happy he was here to see the end of the game and to share this huge victory with me.
“You guys did it,” he whispers in my ear. “I’m so proud of you.”
I kiss him soundly.
“Not as proud as I am of you.”
“Are we competing about this too?” Jett teases.
“It’s my duty as your boyfriend to be your biggest cheerleader.”
A look of worry crosses Jett’s face, but it’s gone as quickly as it came.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to spoil your moment. We’ll talk about it later.”
“Oh no, spill it, Sugar. I can handle whatever it is.”
As long as it’s not Jett breaking up with me.
“I’m filing a harassment complaint against Renner. I’ll tell you all about it once you get changed.”
I cup his face and kiss him again, feeling proud and protective.
“You’re doing the right thing,” I reassure him. “I’ll change up quick and then we can talk.”
But somehow, that talk never happens. I press Jett about Renner, but he insists we leave it until another time, so I let it go.
The rest of the day is a blur of hugs, drinks, and more celebration.
We cap the night off at the concert on the quad.
All our teammates and friends, along with the visiting students, are gathered for one massive party to close out the week.
I’ve got Jett wrapped up tight in my arms, his back to my chest as we grind our bodies to the music.
The buzz from both our wins hasn’t begun to fade, but even if the outcomes had been different, I’d still be ecstatic. I’m with Jett and that’s reason enough.
It feels like here, now, nothing can touch us.
But when I look around at my friends, I see another truth staring back at me.
Jace will be gone tomorrow and Finn after that.
Off to their respective training camps. What happens when it’s my turn?
If I go pro, it’ll mean a new city, and travel, and I don’t know anything about being a long-distance boyfriend.
Hell, before Jett I was allergic to the very idea of any relationship.
And worse case, if playing pro hockey doesn’t happen for me, will I go back home to New Hampshire? Where does that leave me and Jett?
I pride myself on having a quick reply for everything. But right here, in this moment, I have more questions than answers.