Chapter 13
The Locker Room
Kane’s Shadow
My text sits on read for a few minutes before her reply comes through.
Shadow: Stalk the lacrosse team captain. Obviously.
I huff out a laugh, even as a pang of possessiveness coils in my chest. You better be kidding, Sunshine.
Somehow, I like that for her. Even if she would argue that she’s the exact opposite. But I sure as hell can’t call her that now, since I called Isla that earlier.
Ironically enough, I like the nickname for her and her alter ego.
Kane19: That stings. Lacrosse? And here I thought you had taste.
Shadow: My day was uneventful.
That stings even more if she means that.
Kane19: Mine too. I had tutoring.
A few minutes tick by and I nearly give up on waiting for a response, about to send a follow up.
Shadow: How to lure victims into a private chat to expose their identity?
I chuckle.
Kane19: No. Psych 101.
Shadow: Same thing.
Another chuckle.
Come on, give me something.
Give me the proof I need that you’re Isla. I might come out of my skin until I get confirmation.
Isla is fucking beautiful. And if Shadow turns out to be the mystery girl from the stands? Icing on the goddamn cake.
It’s almost confirmation in and of itself.
Because what are the chances two girls caught my eye in one night?
Even if the girl from the stands doesn’t do up-close Isla justice.
Every detail about her hits harder. The dark, silky hair. The green eyes that somehow manage to look wary and curious at the same time. Her mouth—her distracting fucking mouth—made me lose all train of thought every time I snuck a glance while she had her eyes on a textbook.
Never in a million years will you find me signing up for three hours of anything if it doesn’t involve skates. But I take my damn chances if it turns out Isla is who I suspect she is.
Sitting two feet away while she powered through an explanation of cognitive development was impossible.
She’d been relaxed enough to challenge me when I first sat down, but the second she had to do most of the talking, I saw her clam up. She kept tucking her hair behind her ear and glancing down at the open book. It was like watching the lights dim in a room you’d just walked into.
And I was desperate to keep the light on.
So I did the only thing I could think of.
I took the edge off. Changed the subject. Warned her about every unhinged professor on campus. Told a few old stories about my teammates. Risked her deciding I didn’t actually need help with Psych 101.
But it was worth it. Because it worked.
And there was no easier sight than watching her tension dissolve when I gave her something else to focus on.
There’s a knock on my door, along with Hunter’s voice behind it. “Bro, you decent?”
Fuck. I hate that I have to press pause on this exchange with Shadow, but it’s probably best she takes me in increments.
Kane19: Got to throw a pillow at an annoying roommate. See you at the game tomorrow?
Shadow: Jealous. And yes. In my usual section.
Kane19: Not surprised. And what do you mean jealous?
She doesn’t respond right away and there’s another knock at my door.
“Dude, I’m coming in.” The door swings open just as Shadow’s text comes in.
Shadow: Mine would toss me on the street if I tried that.
I frown at the message.
Hunter’s eyes snap to my phone. “What is it? The witch?”
“What? No. Haven’t heard from my mother since the dinner she claimed I embarrassed her at.” I toss my phone to the side. “It’s nothing. Why are you in here?”
He crosses his arms. “I’m here because I need you to cut the bullshit. Are you seriously flunking something?”
I roll my eyes. “No.”
“I’ve known you for four years and I’ve never heard you offer your time up for anything, much less tutoring. Coach put you up to it, didn’t he?”
I move to shut the door behind him. “It’s Shadow.”
“What?”
“The tutor. I’m ninety-nine percent sure it’s Shadow.”
“How?”
I lick my lips and rake my fingers through my hair. “Call it a hunch. But so far, my sources lead to this girl.”
“Your source is Fletcher and he wouldn’t have told you.”
“He may as well have. Kid freaked when I got too close to the new girl at the Northwind Student Library. Then he practically snatched me away from her.”
Hunter watches me skeptically.
“It’s her, man. I positive.”
“No, you’re almost positive. So don’t go doing anything stupid. You need to focus on the game. You keep saying so yourself.”
I swallow. Hating that he’s right.
“I am focusing on the game.”
“We’re still down two spots in the polls.”
“Hunter, we won every game since Shadow appeared. And the one time she didn’t, we lost.”
He drags a hand across his jaw like he can’t disagree. “What if it’s all in your head?”
“Every superstition is in our head. Doesn’t make it any less real to us when we’re on the ice.”
Hunter nods. “Fair enough,” he says, grabbing the foam basketball off my dresser and launching it at the hoop over my closet. “Hell, I’m not about to mess with your lucky charm. But you need to tell Shadow the real reason you’re stalkin’ her at work.”
I exhale, lifting the foam ball from where it lands and take a shot myself. Missing pathetically.
“This just about the winning streak? Or you actually like this girl?”
I lick my lips. “I don’t know.” I fall back onto my bed. “Yeah, I’m obsessed with winning, but I’m also…”
“Obsessed with Shadow? Yeah, we could’ve told you that.”
I cut my eyes toward him. “Not in a creepy way.”
“No, no. Just in a…having her fake tutor you way.” He chuckles, moving toward my door and taking one last shot—making it from the opposite side of the room. “Let me know when you figure it out. Don’t miss practice tomorrow. If Coach hears you got a tutor, he’ll be on your ass.”
I’m already ahead of him. “Not going to miss either.”
The next day, I tell the guys I’ll meet them at practice and race out the door, tossing my duffle in the backseat of my Jeep. I’m in grey sweatpants, a T-shirt, and my team jacket as I head to the student library.
I stayed up half the night thinking about what Hunter said.
Yes, I’m superstitious and obsessed. But it’s a healthy obsession. It’s not like I’m going to date Isla. Not now.
Not in my last season.
Every practice. Every game. Every scout report matters. In a few months, I’ll either be signing a contract…or figuring out why I didn’t.
I don’t need distractions, especially one with green eyes and a smile I took far too much pride in bringing out yesterday.
Nine times.
See that? Big red flag. I shouldn’t know this. Who the fuck counts how many times they made a girl smile? During a tutoring session, no less
So I made a decision this morning.
If Isla—or whoever Shadow is, wants me to find her, then she’ll come to me. For now, I need to back off and stop being creepy.
I step into the library just after noon and head to Isla’s desk, but Fletcher stops me mid-stride.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Uh…I have tutoring.” It’s the short answer for I’m here to cancel my tutoring sessions, thank Isla for her time, quietly retreat, and hope I didn’t mess anything up with Shadow.
“Like hell you do. Look, I don’t know how you figured it out—but I’m not letting you damage my reputation for this. So you’re going to walk over to reception—cancel today’s session and never come near Isla again. Clear?”
I blink.
It is her.
I lift my gaze to where Isla is sitting, waiting. She frowns in my direction, then blinks away.
I clench my jaw, pushing aside all the ways I see myself leveling the guy for trying to keep me from her. “Clear.”
He nods and retreats to the tech support counter on the other side of the library, shooting me a glare like he’s got his eye on me.
Swear to God, this kid.
I sweep my gaze past Isla and head to Mr. Ames, the university librarian who’s been here for decades. I’ll let him know he can keep the pre-paid rate but that I will be canceling today’s session.
“Hey, Sal. They make you work weekends now?”
He grins. “They make me work, period. But I’m not complaining. Usually quiet here on Sundays. Hey, how’d tutoring go yesterday? Since you’re back today, I’m assuming it’s helping?”
“Yeah, about that. It—it went great. Nothing against Isla, she’s fantastic, but—”
“She is. Wish we could get her more work,” he glances at her and lowers his voice. “Especially since she never seems to want to leave.”
“What do you mean?”
“She started offering tutoring because I had to limit her hours at the library. The work-study program only allows so much. The girl was practically living here.”
My lips part as I take that in. “Right...”
“Anyway, tell your friends, teammates, the school. Spread the word. Because before you, her schedule was empty.”
“Thanks, Sal.” I tap the desk. “Hey, does it have to be at the library? It’s just that I’ve got practice soon and we can probably study in between. I just can’t miss it.”
He shrugs. “No issue here. Just check with Isla.” He grabs his keys from the desk. “See you at the game later.”
Isla frowns up at me as I walk up to her. “What was that about?”
“Change of plans, you need to come with me to the arena. I’ve got practice.”
Her eyes flash and she immediately shakes her head. “What? No, I can’t leave.”
“It’s cool. We can study before and after, I’ll pay you for the extra time.” I lift her backpack and she rises defensively.
“You can’t just dictate where we study. This is my table. This is where I’m comfortable. If you have practice, then go to practice.”
I set her bag back down gently. Knowing this is the girl who could flee at the first sign of trouble.
“Thing is, I can’t cancel tutoring—my advisor will be up my ass.
And I really can’t miss practice—Coach will be up my ass since we’ve got a game tonight.
I’m kinda stuck. Will you help me out and bear with me today? ”
She studies me for a beat, those green eyes searching my face.
I swear she sees right through me. Or at least enough to know something isn’t adding up.
I wait for her to call bullshit. But she lets it go, glancing at her boss.
I lift her backpack again and toss it over my shoulder. “Sal’s got no issue with it. Come on. If we leave now, we’ll have time to grab lunch and lattes.”
My eyes sweep past Fletcher’s glare as Isla and I walk out of the library. He can take it up with me another time.