Page 64 of The Golden Receiver

Evander didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. “Just know I don’t like it, and I don’t think not saying who it was is a good idea. I just want that on the record.”

“Noted.” I leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “Now can we drop it?”

He kissed me back, one of those lingering kisses that said much more than words ever could.

Even though I knew I was going to be sitting out the next practice, I made up my mind that I was going to be there.

I wanted Willis, Reyes, Hopkins, and their crew to see that they didn’t drive me away. I wanted them to see me there and see that their little attack wasn’t going to stop me from doing what I loved. I thought Evander might try to talk me out of it, but he didn’t. He seemed happy that I was going to be somewhere he could see me.

He’d barely let me out of his sight since the night of the blood moon. I’d had to push him out of his own bed for him to go on his run this morning, and by the time I was dressed and ready for class, I had about twelve texts from him. They were all asking how I was doing, making sure I hadn’t left for class, asking if I was in my dorm, stuff like that. I could read the concern in every letter, and it touched me in a way few things rarely ever had.

By the time I stepped foot out of Karloff Hall, he was waiting outside on our bench. He showed up between all my classes, and I just knew he’d skipped a class or two of his own to keep me company. Of course, when I called him on it, he told me that he was just trying to keep me safe.

At least it meant I wasn’t going to have to fight him about my decision to go to practice.

We walked into the room for film study together. He tried to pull me into a seat near the back, but I wouldn’t let him. I kept walking right to the front of the room, meeting Willis’s shocked eyes when I passed. I noticed Dobson lean in and whisper something to him, and I had to wonder if he was a part of the group that had attacked me. None of the voices had sounded like him, but maybe some monsters sounded different than they did when they were humans.

I just knew that I didn’t trust him. I wasn’t sure that I could trust anyone on the team anymore, other than Evander.

That short list grew a little longer when I sat down. Marlon was sitting in front of me. He turned around to greet me, and the moment he saw my face, his gray eyes went wide. “What the hell happened to you?”

“It’s nothing,” I told him.

Unlike Evander, Marlon didn’t push. I had the same reaction when Eric and Wes saw me. I could tell by their faces that they hadn’t known what had happened. Eric looked like he wanted to go crush some heads or something. I hadn’t expected him to look as pissed as Evander had. It’s not like Eric and I were friends.

Maybe we could have been if I’d given him half a chance. Same for Wes. I promised myself right then that I was going to make more of an effort. I scoffed at myself. Like I hadn’t made that same resolution before. I meant it this time, but then, I’d meant it the last time too.

By the time Coach Shaw and Coach Erikkson came in, almost every seat was taken. Half the team had seen my face, and more than a few of them had looked disturbed by it. I’d heard a few whispers, and judging by Evander’s reaction, I knew I should be glad that I didn’t have any kind of superhuman hearing. His knuckles were white. I decided right then and there that I would not ask him about the whispers, no matter how much my curiosity burned.

The coaches filed onto the raised bit of stage at the front of the room. Normally, this was when they’d start talking about what we were about to watch and what we should be paying attention to, but the screen was dark. I didn’t think they’d even turned it on yet. Coach Shaw clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention, and the room went completely quiet.

“Before we start, I need everyone’s attention on a very serious matter,” Coach Shaw began. I knew what this was about, and I kind of wished I could sink down into my seat. Disappear. Maybe I shouldn’t have come to today’s practice. I wouldn’t have if I’d known that this was going to happen today. “Over the course of the last week, we’ve gotten information on what I can only hope is hazing happening on our team. This is completely unacceptable behavior, and if I ever find out who is instigating these incidents, there will be consequences.”

He went on about the importance of teamwork and making sure everyone on the team felt like they fit in. He didn’t go into any details, but I’d seen a few people turn to look at me. Judging by the look on Marlon’s face, he’d been able to put two and two together.

And when the film started, I noticed the way Reyes was looking at me.

He’d put two and two together too.

Chills raced up my spine, and I once again questioned if talking to our coaches had been the best idea.

Chapter Twenty

Evander

Icouldn’t sleep.

It had been a few days since Kieran’s attack, and it was the first night I hadn’t been able to convince him to stay over. I knew he had to go back to his own room at some point, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. And I did not like it. Not one bit.

What if something happened when I wasn’t there?

I knew that Ryker guy in his room was a trained bodyguard, but his attention was on Kieran’s roommate. Maybe if something happened, he’d step in and make sure he didn’t get hurt, but I didn’t want to depend on him.

I wondered if Kieran would be mad if I showed up at his door. One of his roommates could let me in, and then I could get some sleep.

We had a game tomorrow. How was I supposed to play if I couldn’t fall asleep?

Except it was already after midnight, and Kieran would probably already be in bed. I grumbled as I flopped over to my other side. I closed my eyes and tried to count sheep. It didn’t work.