Page 41 of The Has-Been

The call cuts off as I press the button, and my eyes narrow, scrutinizing him. Why isn’t he running? If he were smart, he’d be halfway across campus by now.

But no. All he says is, “What do you want, Hearteater? I’m trying to get some sleep.” A wide grin curses his smug fucking face as he adds, “Some of us were up late.”

My mouth drops open, and I shove him back, forcing myself through Reese’s door.

Tonight is the first hockey game of the season.

I tried my best to get moved to the women’s team when I learned we have to document so many hours per sport this semester. But if you can imagine it, the women’s team had no student trainer availability—so the men’s team was my only option.

Like I said—I’m pretty sure God is punishing me.

I’ve been with the boys’ football team since the start of the semester. So, when my advisor told me on Monday that I needed to trade rotations with Mandy, the sophomore who had been the student trainer for the hockey team previously, I was both panicked and relieved.

Relieved that I won’t face Noah Pierce and the little runaway scene I caused last weekend.

But absolutely panicked about the thought of being back in that rink.

Should be interesting, spending time with Liam’s old teammates, all of them aware of our ugly history.

But…after running into Liam and ending our first conversation in a giant argument, I know avoiding the past like I did all last year is unavoidable.

And honestly, it felt good to get some of it off my chest.

I enter through the players’ entrance, the main doors crowded as the fans begin to pile in. As the first home game of the season, I expect it to be a full house tonight. I do my best to push away any memories from resurfacing—like how I never missed a single game. I even traveled hours to watch them when they were away.

No…not helping.

Thankfully, I get out of my own head when I find Reid making his way down the hall, bag slung over his shoulder.

“You!” I yell dryly. He stops dead in his tracks, telling one of the guys he will see them in the locker room. My blood is still boiling from this morning. From the vision of my precious cousin’s door opening and seeing that jackass staring back at me.

Of course, I assumed the worst. That the two of them were sleeping together.

But I think the truth was actually more shocking.

Mainly because up until eight a.m., I didn’t believe the pair of them could tolerate talking to one another, let alone be in the same room. After demanding to know why he was opening her door half-naked, I quickly learned that Reese has agreed to tutor him. Apparently, he’s failing English Literature badly enough that if he doesn’t get his grades up, he’ll be benched for the season.

Reese insists she has no other option but to help him. Her English teacher wouldn’t give her a recommendation for the internship she wants next semester, unless she did. Which is incredibly shady and doesn’t make much sense to me—but Reid is Delleth’s prized hog. God forbid he be benched, and we lose the Frozen Four this year.

End of the world, right?

“What,” he states, eyeing me. He looks scared.

Good, he fucking should be.

“You look at me right in the face, Reid. And you promise me you won’t try to sleep with her. That you are only truly interested in getting your grades up...and nothing else.”

I’ve already asked him this ten times this morning, but hey, what’s one more going to hurt?

He grins like a child. But then he pushes his finger to his lips.

“Shh,” he looks around like someone might hear us. His voice is low as he murmurs, “I told you I don’t want anyone knowing about this.”

I shrug as we continue walking down the underground. That sounds like a Reid problem—not a me problem.

“Well, they are in for a real shock when you’re benched at the end of the semester.” It’s Delleth’s policy that student-athletes must maintain at least a C average to remain on the team.

“They’d never bench me. I’m Morgan Reid.” He chides, playfully winking at me as his dark hair falls out of his beanie.