Page 130 of The Forever Vault

“Hospital?”

“What happened?”

Everyone was talking at the same time, until Woodward raised his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Austin’s coach was attacked. He’s hurt badly. It’s not clear but I believe they have the attacker in custody.”

“It’s fucking Dennis Jenkins. It has to be. We covered everyone else. How the fuck could we forget to protect Josh?”

Woodward put his hand on O’s shoulder and he collapsed into Woodward. I could tell he was crying, so I went over to them and hugged him from behind. I knew a lot of what he and Austin had been through. It was in the news every time they went to court. There was something definitely wrong with the guy. He couldn’t seem to understand Austin wasn’t interested in him, never had been.

“I’m so sorry, O. You guys did what you could,” I said, trying to reassure him.

“If they have him in custody, it’s over,” Shane said. “He crossed state lines on parole, likely broke the restraining order, and sounds like attempted murder, if not assault. He’s done.”

O moved under my arms, so instinctively I pulled back. He wiped his nose on his jacket and swiped his eyes with both hands. “You’ll really come with me to the hospital?” O asked Woodward.

“Of course.”

“Is Austin already there?” Shane asked.

O nodded. “He and Remy had just left practice. I guess somebody found Josh’s phone and called Austin.”

“Jesus,” slipped through my lips.

“Hey, Hudson. Is Miles with you?” I heard Woodward ask before he stepped away.

“Do you want me to come with you?” I asked O.

“I think what Coach said was smart. Get to the village for now. I’ll text the team with updates. Let Luke know, too, please?”

I said I would, watched Noah and Shane embrace briefly, before he walked out of the gym with O and Woodward.

“I’m gonna text Luke,” I told Noah, pulling out my phone.

Cam: Do not leave the village. I’ll explain when I see you.

“I don’t know how you and Luke have never had any stalkers,” Noah said.

“Jesus, Noah.” I walked over to my bag, so I could gather my stuff.

“Sorry, just thinking out loud.”

“There was that one girl in college. She came to every meet with a sign. I can’t think of her name. Do you remember?”

“Debbie?”

“That’s it. Debbie.” I could picture her now, in the stands. Gymnastics wasn’t a super popular sport for spectators. She was one of the regulars.

“She was harmless.”

“I’m pretty sure she stole my white leotard. I never found it after the meet against Stanford.”

“In any case, she was creepy, but never violent. You showering here or at the dorm?”

“Here, if that’s okay. Ezra and Luke are going to want updates and I doubt I’ll have time to shower once I get back.”

I stripped down in front of Noah and our conversation continued as I made my way into the shower room.

“She might not have been violent, but it was weird thinking someone took my leotard,” I semi-yelled so he could hear me over the water.