Page 192 of Lucky Mother Pucker

He lets out a humorless laugh. “Well, that’s just fantastic,” he says sarcastically. “How wonderful that you’ve suddenly decided to become a vault of secrets.”

“Coach, I swear, it’s not⁠—”

“Listen to me, Peretti,” he says, cutting me off. “You’re in deep shit. We’ve got reporters bombarding the university and the team with questions about you. Everyone’s asking why Hollis U’s star defenseman is behaving like a deranged psycho.”

“Coach, that’s not what happened. I was defending someone.” I bite my tongue so I don’t say more. I can’t betray my sister’s trust. She’s very private, and I know she wouldn’t want me talking about what happened to her with my coach.

“That’s not what it looked like in the video, Peretti,” Coach says. “It looked like you were going on a violent rampage. So unless you’re going to tell me the full truth, I don’t want to hear it.”

I sigh. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

He mutters a curse word. “I haven’t got official word from the Hollis U administrators yet, but it’s looking like you’re facing a suspension at the very least. And that’s if they’re feeling generous. At worst, you could be kicked off the team. Once I get the official word, I’ll let you know.”

He hangs up, leaving me feeling like I’ve been punched in the gut. I can’t be surprised though. This is exactly how I expected this would go.

I tug a hand through my hair and groan. Wally, who’s sleeping on his bed on the floor, looks up at me and starts to whine.

I reach down and pet him. “Rough day, buddy.”

I hear the doorbell ring. I head downstairs and answer the door. It’s Zoey.

Chapter 68

Leo

“Hey.” Her voice is so soft and weak, and it makes my heart ache.

“Hey. Come inside.”

She follows me into the house, and I close the door behind us. I hug her, then let go.

I notice how tired she looks. Her long, dark hair is up in a messy bun. Her eyes are a little red too from crying.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

She fidgets with the hem of the gray, oversized Hollis U sweater she’s wearing. It’s my old sweater I let her borrow a couple of years ago.

“I wanted to get out of the house for a bit. I thought I’d come here to check on you,” she says.

She follows me into the kitchen. The sound of Wally running over to greet her makes her smile. I watch as she leans down to pet him.

“How about some tea?” I ask.

“That sounds nice. Thanks.”

I fill the electric kettle and grab one of the mugs from the shelf behind me.

“So. How are you holding up?” she asks, sitting at the kitchen island. Wally lies down on the floor by her feet.

“I’m fine.” I stand on the opposite side of the island facing her. “I’m the one who should be asking you that. Making sure you’re okay.”

She sighs, her shoulders sinking with the movement. “I don’t need you to fuss over me, Leo.”

“It’s not fussing. You’ve been through a lot, Zoey.”

“So have you.” She pauses. “I saw the video of you beating up Jeff on social media.”

“We don’t need to talk about that right now.” I grab the kettle and pour hot water into her mug. “Has Jeff tried to contact you?”