“Closer doesn’t land it,” I mutter, brushing frost from my fingers. My heart is racing in my chest, and it feels like it has been since I found out about Ryan being found dead. I didn’t see it like I saw Mina die, but the fact that he died on campus and not where we were trespassing has me thrown. The flowers in his car could be a rumor, but something in my gut is telling methat it isn’t. It’s a warning, just like the rock through Callum’s windshield.
And yet... I feel safe.
Because Callum’s been hovering. Checking in. Watching. Even when no one’s around to see it. When he has an obligation he can’t skip, he has other people watching out for me. Hayden is my least favorite bodyguard, because he doesn’t do it from afar like Ramsey Blackwood and Tristan. He makes it known that he’s annoyed and constantly tells me what he could be doing instead of following me around.
Some of the girls who are done skating already are talking while they stretch, using the side of the rink for leverage.
"So...since no one else is going to bring it up, I will," Kennedy draws out the word. "Callum Grey proposed in front of everyone? I didn’t know you were even dating him. How long could it have been?”
I skate over, shrugging casually as I bend to tighten my laces. "I’m just a private person."
"Okay, but how did you get him to settle down?" Tara asks, but I can tell she’s just joining in because she feels like she has to. Her face tells me something different. She’s struggling just like I am with everything that happened.
I glance up. "What makes you think I did anything?"
"He turns down everyone. Like, literally every girl I know has tried. He just gives them that cocky little smirk and walks away,” Kennedy says, swinging her ponytail. “I know he peacocks around campus, but I don’t buy it. I had such a huge crush on him last year, so of course I went down a rabbit hole to learn everything I could about him. I couldn’t find him linked with one girl. He talks a big game, but that’s about it. I had no idea it was because the two of you were hiding your whole relationship.”
My stomach twists in a weird, fluttery way. Because I remember what he told me that it was all fake. Smoke and mirrors. His reputation was just a mask to keep people away.
And I like that. I like knowing there’s a version of him only I get to see.
"Maybe I’m just irresistible," I say with a cheeky grin.
They all laugh, but I don’t think any of them are sincere.
"Hey, has anyone heard from Lexi today?" Kennedy asks, frowning. "She wasn’t in math class and obviously skipped practice."
Tara and I exchange a look because we know exactly why no one has seen her.
"Maybe she’s sick?" I say it because it doesn’t feel like a complete lie. I’d probably be sick if I found my boyfriend like that. Hell, I’m nauseous just thinking about it, and I didn’t even like Ryan.
I take another lap around the rink, trying to work out my nerves. I catch sight of Winter on the far end of the outside of the rink, arms crossed, her braid swinging slightly as she searches for something in a hardback book. Tristan stands beside her, his fingers brushing over the top of her head and trailing all the way to the end of her braid.
Just then, I notice a man pacing near the far doors. Whistle clipped to his collar. Clipboard. Stopwatch. Square-framed glasses.
Coach Kavanaugh.
I smirk. Even from here, I can tell he’s annoyed. Checking his watch. Glaring toward the locker room.
"Looks like the boys are late, or either the coach is just early and considering them late for not being early," Tara says as I approach the girls again.
"He’s gonna blow a gasket," I say, because it’s true. I swear the man always looks like he’s on a level one hundred, even when things are going his way.
"I heard he’s got something going on with that girl in my lit class," Kennedy says casually as I hop off the ice and grab a seat to put the guards on my blades.
"Wait, what?" I blink. “He doesn’t seem like the type. I pegged him for a bachelor. One who has one plate, one fork and a glass in his house because he doesn’t like clutter.”
Kennedy shakes her head no, because she’s very serious about her gossip. This is why Mina and Lexi didn’t throw her an invite to the mansion. She will literally tell anyone’s business to anyone who will listen. "No, I’m serious. Her name is Ellie. I saw her crying in the courtyard, and he was comforting her. Not like a dad, but like a boyfriend. Stroking her hair, holding her to her chest. I even saw him kiss the top of her head. Then he saw us staring and whisked her away. Everyone’s talking about it."
I barely have time to react before the Zamboni starts up, signaling the end of our session.
We start gathering our stuff to head to the locker room when the main doors fly open and the hockey boys start filing in. Coach Kavanaugh’s face twists like he’s disappointed.
Hayden is front and center, swinging his arms like he’s already hyped up on pure chaos. One of the figure skaters laughs at the way Coach Kav smacks him on the back of the head as he passes by.
"How does Madison deal with him?" Kennedy’s question is probably rhetorical, but I decide to answer her anyway.
I smile. "I think she’s the only thing that calms him down. I’ve talked to her a few times when he’s around, and he’s different with her."
