But why does he want to meet?After all, he’s the one who said we shouldn’t see each other.Maybe he’s just going to tell me off again.Get a life, little girl.Stop obsessing about me and sending me food.And what about the Revenge Squad?Would they disapprove of me seeing Viktor again?Even though we all agreed that nothing bad should happen to him, it feels…risky.
I’m sorry, I have plans,I write back to the anonymous V.I’m supposed to go to a coffee shop with some sorority sisters.
Of course, I immediately regret sending that reply, since I really want to see Viktor again.But this is the safer choice.
Evie, hi!
I turn to see Jordan, followed by Angelica.I shove the phone deep into my purse as if they could read the text thread from across the restroom.
Hey, how are you guys?My voice sounds falsely enthusiastic, but they don’t seem to notice.Angelica disappears into a stall.Jordan stands beside me in front of the mirror.She brushes her hair and reapplies her lip gloss.
You shouldn’t go to the washroom alone,Jordan advises me.It’s something I’ve noticed, how Alpha Zs always move in groups, even to washrooms.
I nod politely.I don’t want to debate the weirdness of urinating together or waiting while the other person goes, as Jordan is doing.There are a lot of unwritten rules at Alpha Z that I already want to rebel against.
Jordan beams at our reflections in the mirror.Isn’t Vik playing awesome tonight?I mean, when he scored that second goal, I felt like standing up and screaming, ‘I’ve hit that!’
You and half the women in the arena.Angelica emerges to wash her hands.
Heisa really good player,I admit, then worry that I’m gushing and they’ll be able to tell that I like him.
You know what’s so weird?Jordan asks me.
Aside from this whole conversation as we compliment the guy we once tried to take down?I shake my head.
He hasn’t dated anyone since Des!That’s like almost a month.Vik is famous for always having someone on tap, so how can that even be?
Maybe he learned his lesson after their breakup?I venture.
Angelica snorts.Vik?Hardly.There must be a secret hookup.He’s got a really high sex drive.Where’s all that energy going?
Into hockey?My voice breaks like a pubescent boy’s at the mention of Viktor’s sex drive.The heated way he looked at me is seared into my brain.
She laughs at me.I didn’t mean to shock Miss Lily White.Too bad you never got to ride the Z-train.It’s incredible.
Jordan snorts.Yeah, they don’t call him Big Z for nothing.
Oh my goodness, isn’t that because he’s tall and muscular?I must be turning red because Angelica peers closely at me.Wait.Do you have a crush on Viktor?
Absolutely not,I lie.
He did rescue you at that party like a real-life superhero,Jordan points out.I’ve fallen for guys who did a lot less.
Angelica puts her hands on her hips.Maybe you’re the one who’s secretly getting him off?When’s the last time you saw him?
Not since the day after that party,I reply, happy that it’s the truth.
She nods dismissively.Yeah, why am I even wondering?You couldn’t hook Vik with a whole squad behind you.
Jordan shakes her head in disagreement, but Angelica just cackles as they leave.I pull out my phone again.To heck with the Revenge Squad.
Change of plans.I’m free now.
I send the new message.Take that, Angelica.
You’re not coming to the pub?Cecily Howard asks after the game.She’s also a new Alpha Z who lives at Humphrey, so we usually travel together.
I shake my head.People here are very casual about underage drinking, but they don’t have my strict father.I’m going to the coffee house with Savannah and the others.The others who don’t have fake ID.
