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Several teammates approached, their voices dying as they walked past me. They’d been talking about me. They’d been talking aboutit. I could tell. Fury burned through me as they passed. I turned to the wall and braced my hands on it, taking deep breaths. I was a cornered animal, snarling and biting to escape, but I had nowhere to go. Everyone knew my deepest and darkest secrets.Everyone.
And there was only one person who could have told them who also had access to the student community board. It wasn’t only fury that bit me but hurt. I’d trusted her, I’d opened myself up to her, and she’d betrayed me.
Lillian.
Freckles.
I’d make her pay for all of it.
* * *
I didn’t go home after practice. Instead, I sat in Coach’s office while he talked about the article and gingerly probed for the truth before sighing.
“To be honest, Cayden, this is none of anyone’s business. You were a minor, the police investigated, and whatever happened, happened. It doesn’t change anything in the here and now.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Funny, it feels like it changes a lot.”
Coach shook his head. “Only if you let it. Whispers, rumors, let it be water off a duck’s back. Don’t get affected. Who cares? You’re here to win, correct?”
I nodded, my hands clenched into fists on my knees. I didn’t want to be having this conversation with him. I didn’t want to be doing any of this. I couldn’t get a grip on my emotions, and that was dangerous. I had to be careful right now. A lot of eyes were on me.
“So, win. That’s how you quiet the rumors. Well, that and getting the hell away from Midnight Falls, getting into HHU, and then the NHL. That’s your solution right there.”
Coach sat back just as a knock at the door sounded.
“Dad? I’m ready to go if you are.”
Lily’s sweet, hesitant voice was like thorns rubbing against my skin. I couldn’t look at her, I couldn’t bring myself to.
“Okay, Lilypad. Go to the truck, I’ll be out shortly.”
“Okay.” Lily’s eyes brushed past me, and then she turned away.
“The most important thing you have to realize is that no one at home cares about this. You still have a place with us. None of this is something that’s going to change your living situation or how we feel about you, Cade. Okay?”
“So, you’re not scared of me?” I challenged, my fear and anger bubbling too close to the surface.
Coach paused, his eyes drilling into me. “Should I be?”
I swallowed, lost for words.
He sighed. “No matter what happened, you were a child. I’m not scared of you, Cayden, none of the Williamses are, and that won’t change. You’re no longer the person that article is talking about. Let’s leave it at that.”
He got up to leave, and I followed him. He was wrong. I was still that person, damaged beyond repair, ready to lie, cheat, and steal to survive, and there was one Williams who should be scared of me. If she wasn’t already, soon, she would be.
Lily
My biology homeworktook longer than usual because I was distracted. The weekend had been full of Eve and work and more homework. Then Monday was a blur of a pop quiz and catching glimpses of Cayden in the hall. Oh, and the dreams. Every single night I’d dreamed of him, and now, they were only more detailed.
Most of all, I was distracted by the email that had landed in my inbox bright and early this morning. Early admission into my dream school and an invitation to an exclusive summer program, in California.
It was an even better offer than I’d dreamed of. Oddly, my first feeling when I’d read it had been disappointment and a healthy dose of anxiety. What that said about me was clear. Even when my dreams came true, I’d find something to worry about. In this case, however, I had a lot of reasons to worry, and every single one came back to the two people standing in the kitchen when I entered for dinner later.
Cayden was setting the table. There seemed to be a black cloud over his head, and he didn’t meet my eyes as I joined in laying out the flat wear. My father was tense; I could tell by the fact that he’d already popped a beer. Usually, he saved drinking for the weekends or after a victory.
“You want one, Cade?” he offered.
“Eric!” My mother scolded.
