Page 143 of His Reckless Freshman

Swallowing, I slap it down on the desk like it might burn me.

The videos are on there. I can feel it.

Choppy breaths punch out of my chest. I should bolt from the room with this tucked inside my jacket pocket, but I need to see this. I need to know for sure.

Bringing Kieran’s desktop computer to life, I nearly laugh with relief when the main screen pops up. I was expecting password protection, but nope. He must figure he’s completely safe with his secret little drawer. He probably doesn’t think there’s a woman on campus brave enough or stupid enough to risk all this.

Well, I am.

Brave. Stupid. Whatever you want to call me, I don’t care what the consequences of my actions are right now. I just need to see for myself what’s actually true.

And then I need to take this evidence right to the police.

48

BEN

Jolie said she was busy tonight, so I let Mac talk me into coming to Offside. He forced both Jimmy and me here, and I think I partly came along as moral support for Jimmy, who hates this kind of thing.

I know why Mac does it. He wants to pull Jimmy out of his shell, get him to live a little. I partly agree with that, but poor Jimmy looks so uncomfortable, perched on a bar stool, sipping a soda water and scanning the surrounding crowd like he’s bracing for an attack.

“Chill the fuck out, man. It’s just a bar.” Mac laughs at him, swigging from his beer bottle before wiggling his eyebrows. “I know you’re too afraid to talk to any of them, but you can at least enjoy the view. There are a lot of hotties here tonight.”

He points at the dance floor, and I can’t help looking as well.

Offside is always busier on Saturday nights, and the rain has been driving people through the door. This place is ripe with damp clothes, wet hair, and a wild party vibe.

Turning to my right, I spot Ethan Galloway with his pint-sized girlfriend. They’re watching a hockey game on the TV and laughing over something.

Maybe they’re still celebrating after last night’s win. I checked the score after our game ended. We didn’t win, yet again, but we only lost by two points this time.

“One point closer, gentlemen. One point closer.” Coach applauded us after the game. “A win is just around the corner. I know it. You work hard—both mentally and physically—and we’re gonna make it.”

Part of me is starting to believe him.

We definitely played more cohesively than we ever have, and I’m proud of us. The crowd was a touch bigger too, and it was awesome to hear them cheering us on.

We won’t get that same privilege on Monday when we head to Kansas for our first official away game.

It’s gonna be a long bus ride, but it’ll give us time to prep.

My eyes track past the hockey player and end up landing on a splash of red hair.

Caroline Mason.

She’s sitting at a small high table on her own, like she’s waiting for someone, and I figure now might be a good time to talk to her. She’s probably waiting on her boyfriend. I’ll just have a quick chat with her until he arrives and then leave them to it.

“Hey.” I try to smile as I approach, but her dry side-eye is making that a challenge.

“Hello, Benjamin.”

My lips curl at her tone. Is it teasing or derogatory? I can tell she’s still pissed at me, but for Jolie’s sake, I stand my ground.

“Figured we should clear the air. For Jolie’s sake.”

She sighs and nods, looking away from me.

Resting my hand on her table, I grab her attention. “Look, I know the way Jolie and I started out was weird, but I’m telling you, I really care about her, and I have no intention of taking advantage of her or hurting her. She’s my girl now, and I’ll do anything I can to make her happy.”