Page 133 of The Fake Divination Offense
We’re not supposed to even look at our phones this close to the game, much less when team management is talking, but I answer.
“On my way,” Seb says in lieu of greeting. “He’s in the cheerleader locker room?”
“Yeah. I think so. I don’t—fuck, Seb—”
“Breathe, babe. Thio and I just got to the stadium, so we’ll head there. You got us security passes for this reason. And Ilbryen’s on him right now?”
Shit, Ilbryen. “Yeah, I’ll call her next. I—”
“I’ll call when we’re there.” He hangs up.
Numb, nearly dropping my phone, I try to call Bel first.
It goes to voicemail.
His phone’s put away like mine should be. That’s all.
Shaking, fighting not to spiral, I call Ilbryen. She’s in the locker room with him, undercover as a media rep. Maybe he crushed apearl by accident during his warm-up; Ilbryen will answer snappishly, assure me he’s okay, and hang up.
The call rings.
And rings.
Voicemail.
My gut plummets, staggering me into the side of the locker.
No. No, no, no.
I pocket my phone and whirl—
—to find the entire Hellhounds team and management looking at me.
The championship game starts in an hour. I can’tleave.
Only Ihaveto leave.
“Bel—I mean, Alexo, something’s happened to him. I don’t know what, but I need to check on him. Now.”
It’s weak. Ihearhow weak it sounds. I don’t have proof to back it up, don’t have anything but thisdreadand the alarm that no one else here heard.
Roesia has every right to berate me. This is crazy unprofessional—this is—
She looks back at one of her assistants. “Contact the cheerleading squad. Locate Mr. Warden.”
I blow out a noisy breath. What? Just like that?
My phone vibrates in my hand. Seb.
I’m shaking so much I’m shocked I can hold the phone to my ear. “Yeah?”
“Cheerleaders are still in the locker room,” he tells me, sounding out of breath. “So says security. We’re almost there. Hang on—baby,go, use those long legs—shit, Thio can run when he’s motivated. O? You still there?”
“Yeah, I—”
Roesia’s talking with her assistant, who’s on the phone, too. I’m split in half; I split again when I notice the whole team’s still watching me, wound with a new energy: defensiveness. Everyone leaning slightly toward me, waiting for the word, waiting to spring forward.
Seb and Roesia speak in an overlap.
