Page 18 of Enemy Games

“So we were planning on going and were discussing what we should wear when Karly came in and told us we can’t go!”

I blinked. She was crying over a party? One she didn’t even know about until seconds before getting told no?

“Okay,” I hedged hoping Chris would jump in, but she just raised her brows.

“You really wanted to go to that party?” Chris guessed.

Steph shook her head as more tears rolled down her cheeks. “No, it’s not just this party. It’s all of them. Karly said we can’t go to any parties where alcohol and drugs might be present. She said we can’t drink even if we’re over twenty-one.”

Which she wasn’t.

Chris bit her lip, and I could see the corners of her mouth starting to lift. She was going to laugh, and that was not what this poor, naive girl needed right now.

“Um, why is that so upsetting?”

Her eyes widened at me. “Because we’re in college, and we’re banned from going to frat parties. That’s a rite of passage! It’s practically a requirement while you’re in school!”

“You met with Coach Jarry before you signed up, right?” I coaxed.

She sniffed and nodded.

“And she told you the rules for student athletes?”

She turned to me with red eyes. “I didn’t know she was serious. That it would be this strict. I thought it was just something she had to say. I didn’t realize it would actually be enforced.”

I inhaled slowly, fighting to stay patient. “Did you do any research on this school?”

Her chin lowered. “Yes.”

“And did you see all the stories about the men’s hockey team from a few years back?”

“Yeah.” She wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“Then you know how serious it was when they got in trouble. The school was basically blacklisted. It’s taken over four years to redevelop a relationship with the NCAA and NHL. Even the other sports have to obey these rules.”

It was one of the first things we were told when we were recruited. The coaches wanted to be upfront with what life at West Penn was like. This wasn’t a hidden rule they added as a footnote somewhere.

Her shoulders slumped. “I thought it was all just talk. Formalities.”

“Sorry, Steph, but this is really how it is. I’m sure there are parties we can go to that are hosted by other teams, or maybe we can even host some, but the rules, and drinking and drugs, are serious. Even a photo of you around people that are drinking can be enough to suspend you or even get you kicked off the team.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

Did she seriously not read the contract we all had to sign? This was all laid out very clearly. “Yeah. I know it seems crazy, but think about the edge that gives our team. We’ll be in peak form, no matter what, while some of the other teams will be playing with hangovers.”

She cracked a smile. “I guess that makes sense.”

I nodded and ushered her toward the door. “Once we get more settled and things aren’t so crazy, we can talk to Karly about hosting something here, okay?”

“Okay.” She smiled at me and Chris before walking out.

I shut the door and leaned against it with wide eyes.

“Why did she come to us?” Chris asked.

“No idea. Maybe because we’re juniors?” It was the only guess I had.

“Or maybe everyone else is smart enough to lock their doors.”