Chapter 35
Riley
I’m feeling melancholy as I head back to my room after classes.
I’m frustrated with myself. I blew a test that I studied hours for, and I don’t even know how.
It’s like the information just kept slipping away from me.
I wish I could go for a run, but I need to stay fresh for practice tonight.
I’ve stopped running in the mornings because it’s too taxing on my body along with practices and games.
My wolf moves inside of me at the direction of my thoughts, and I try to think of the last time I shifted and ran.
I’m pretty sure it’s a bad sign that I can’t remember.
I’m sorry; we’ll run soon. Her lack of response bothers me, but I just add it to the growing list of concerns I need to deal with...
eventually. I climb the stairs and head to my room.
I’m hoping for just a few minutes of down time before I have to get changed and head over to practice. I open the door. “Hey, Ashley.”
She turns from where she’s standing at the dresser. “Hey, how was your day?”
“It’s Monday, right?”
She laughs. “Yeah. Oh, somebody sent you flowers. They’re all black. That’s kind of weird, right? Or does that mean something I don’t know. I’m not exactly up to date on trends and—what's wrong?”
My heart pounds in my chest. “Who delivered them?”
She looks at me in concern. “I don’t know. They were in here when I got back. Are you okay? Your face is really pale.”
I continue to stare at the flowers. Somebody was in my room.
“Riley?” Ashley touches my arm, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I shake my head, trying to clear it and then work at playing off the whole thing.
“I have no idea who they’re from. But whatever.
They’re probably from one of the girls I took the starting position from,” I say, not even really teasing.
If I didn’t know these particular roses were a calling card of sorts from the skinwalkers, I would one hundred percent believe they were from Angeline or even Jaida.
Angeline would be my first guess, though.
She's done everything in her power to make life miserable for Star and me, mostly me though. She’s taken my clothes while I was in the shower more than once.
She doesn’t realize that while I don’t enjoy walking around naked, I did grow up in a pack.
So, it’s not a totally foreign concept to me.
Each time it happens, I simply make my way out to my locker and find what I need.
She’s also tampered with my water, but I’ve caught that each time before anything happened because of my shifter nose.
I’ve taken to sniffing my water bottle before I ever take a drink.
That’s also how I know it’s her and not Jaida; I can smell her scent all over my bottle.
There have been a few other minor things, but I choose not to let them bother me.
But I know the roses aren’t from her. I debate reaching out to tell my dad or Reid, but I know they’ll both just double down on protection for me.
Reid will get frustrated because he’s not here, and my dad will do something crazy like pull me from the team so I can live at home.
I’m not willing to let that happen, so I keep it to myself.
“Are the girls still giving you a hard time?” Ashley asks.
I shrug. “It is what it is.”
She gives me a look of concern. “You should tell your coach.”
“No, that’s not how things work at this level.
It will just make me look foolish, and it definitely won’t help my relationship with my teammates.
My best course of action is to keep my head down and ignore their antics; they’ll have to move on eventually.
” Any notion of resting is long gone, so I change into my clothes for practice.
A few minutes later, I’m ready to head out.
“Have a good practice.”
I smile at Ashley. “Thanks. Have fun...” I glance down at where she’s sitting at the desk. “Writing a paper.”
She groans. “I am literally never going to get this one done.”
I drop a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve got this.” I start towards the door and stop. “You know, we should plan a movie night soon and watch a Christmas movie.”
Her head whips in my direction. “You’re going to take a night off and watch a movie? Who are you and where is the real Riley?”
“Hey, now. We should invite Stephanie too.”
She laughs. “Yeah, she’s even more less likely to watch a movie.”
“Well, we can try.” I counter.
She shrugs. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
I frown. “Do you really see me like that? As someone who can’t take a night off or have any fun?”
She doesn’t look back at me. “Your words, not mine.”
I stare at the back of her head a moment longer before I leave.
My mind processes our conversation as I head across campus to the gymnasium.
When I get to the gym, I drop my bag off at my locker and change my shoes.
Then I stick in my earbuds and hit the weight room.
I miss seeing Reid in here. Every once in a while, we would cross paths in here during preseason.
There’s a pang in my chest; I think I just miss him overall.
I watch my time carefully and head to the court when it’s time for practice.
Coach Parella calls us in right away. “All right, Girls. Big week this week. We have games tomorrow night, Thursday night, and Saturday night. All home games. So, we’re not going to push hard tonight, but I do want to work on a few things that needed work in the last game.
So, pay attention and work hard; so we’re ready for those games. ” Practice is grueling.
When it finally ends, Star bumps my shoulder on our way to the locker room. “So much for not pushing hard,” she says with a laugh. I can’t find the energy even to laugh, but I manage a smile. “Hey, you good? You were a little off in practice.”
I grimace, hating that it was bad enough she noticed. “Yeah, I’m good—just having an off day, I guess.”
“Everybody’s allowed a bad day,” she says easily. “As long as you have it figured out before tomorrow night,” she says with a grin. I nod, really hoping my troubles don’t follow me into the game tomorrow night.
Before I know it, tomorrow’s game is upon us.
“Let’s do this!” Brene shouts, and we echo her shout.
It’s not my best game, but I push it out and add fifteen points to our team score.
It’s pretty low for me, but we get the win.
It wasn’t our best and cleanest win, but it’s a win, nonetheless.
Then Thursday night’s game comes and goes.
I manage a measly nine points, and I feel like I was worthless out there.
Coach Parella thought so too. I lost count of how many times she yelled at me.
“It’s okay,” Star told me after one major chewing out. “Just shake it off and play your game.” We end up losing the game by three points, and I can’t help but feel like it was my fault.
Angeline bumps my shoulder hard as we head off the court. “Tell me why you’re starting when you play like that.”
“Because she’s really good,” Star says from next to me.
I elbow Star lightly after Angeline leaves in disgust. “Thanks for the support, but it’s not worth it with her. I took her spot, and she hates me for it. That’s not ever going to change.”
Star scowls at me. “With that attitude, it won’t.”
She walks on ahead of me, and I sigh. Weariness dogs me as I make my way to the locker room.
I’m looking forward to a hot shower. “Blackwood, my office,” Coach Parella orders.
Star and I both stop walking. Star gives me a commiserating look and a quick hand squeeze before she continues on to the locker room.
I make my way to Coach’s office. “Come in and close the door.”
I step inside and close the office door behind me. She doesn’t look up at me, so I make my way over to the seat in front of her desk. I sit in silence, willing myself not to fidget while I wait. “One more game, Blackwood,” she finally says.
“I’m sorry?” I say in confusion.
She finally looks up at me. “One more game to turn things around, or you will be sitting on the bench and someone else will be playing in your place.”
I meet her gaze head-on. “That’s not going to happen.”
She looks back down at whatever it is she’s working on. “See that it doesn’t. You’re dismissed.”
I stand up on shaky legs and walk out the door, closing it behind me.
I lean my head back against the door and close my eyes, trying to find my equilibrium.
I know who would take my place if she benches me.
I grit my teeth and repeat to myself what I just told my coach. “I’m not going to let that happen.”
“Talking to yourself, Blackwood?”
My eyes snap open at the sound of Angeline’s voice.
“Coach wants to meet with me,” she says with a saccharine sweet smile.
“Can’t imagine what it’s about.” She cocks her head to the side.
“Are you going to move, or should I—” I quickly step out of her way.
“Thanks.” She waltzes inside and closes the door behind her, giving me a tiny wave as she does.
I head right back to the gymnasium that’s mostly cleared out now and grab a ball and start shooting.
Frustration fuels me, and I shoot basket after basket.
Only when I can no longer jump for my jump shots do I finally return the ball to the ball rack and make my way to the locker room.
It’s empty now, and I can’t find it in me to be sad about that.
It’s too quiet when I get out of the shower and dress to leave. When I walk past the entrance to the gym, I see Fred, one of the custodians turn off the last of the lights. “Thanks, Fred,” I call out.
He joins me in the hallway. “Not your best game tonight, Riley.”
Guilt hits me once again. “I know; I’ll do better the next one.”
He smiles at me. “Oh, I know you will. Besides, you can’t be the high scorer every game. You’ve got to let the other girls shine too, you know.” There’s a twinkle in those lined eyes.
I force a smile. “Right.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” he continues. “At the end of the day, it’s just a game.”
I manage a real smile this time. “Thanks, Fred.”
He points to his gray hair. “This isn’t just for looks, you know. I’ve got some wisdom to go with all that gray hair.”
I laugh. “Good to know.”
He opens the door for me, and we step out into the night. “Have a good night, Riley.”
His use of my name makes me smile. Most people just call me Blackwood, which is fine.
But it’s always nice when someone calls me by my first name.
It’s a long walk back to my dorm, made longer by the cold wind.
When I finally get to my room, I’m ready to crash for the night.
Thankfully, my room is empty when I get back.
I unpack my bag and grab a few of my schoolbooks and drop them on to my bed for when I’m ready and spend the next few minutes getting all ready for bed.
I’ve only been studying for a few minutes when the door opens.
“Hey, Riley,” Ashley says as she comes inside.
“Hey, Ashley.”
She looks over at me. “You had a game tonight, right?” I nod. “How’d it go?”
I blow out a breath. “Not my best game.”
She looks over at me and takes off her sweatshirt. “Did you win?” I shake my head. “Aw, I’m sorry. Well, I’m sure you’ll win the next one.” With that, she heads to the bathroom. I study for a only a little while longer before exhaustion drives me to sleep.