Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Note: Hunter Maddox, Gavin Drayton, and Ryder Price missed practice for unknown injuries.
Unknown injuries.
My mind races as I flip to the following days. The three players aren’t mentioned again until September 23 when they resume practice. No injuries are logged, and they get back to it with no rehabilitation programs or dietary changes.
This isn’t a coincidence, right?
Gavin’s and Ryder’s DNA came out as a negative match. Hunter’s is the only one I haven’t had the opportunity to gather. Probably because he’s a neat freak and always wipes all his equipment down before and after use. He also tucks all his belongings in his locker and is particular about who touches his things.
Gavin is the goalie. Ryder and Hunter are defensemen. They usually hang out together, and their parents are influential in the town.
My mind pieces together the details from the event at Preston’s house. The three masked Vencor members I listened to that night were Gavin and Ryder. The third was definitely Hunter.
Maybe I’m onto something.
My skin tingles with anticipation. Finally, a breakthrough.
Though it’s not as good as finding the mastermind behind my sister’s attack, this is a start.
My priority is to try accessing the team doctor’s files from September 20.
Gather a sample of Hunter’s DNA.
Maybe get closer to the three of them? Gavin kind of hates me after the fiasco at his place that time. And if the rumors about his sister’s banishment and social suicide are true, I don’t suspect he’ll ever warm up to me. I don’t think I’ve seen Isabella on campus since the day she sent people to drug me.
The other two pretend I don’t exist.
Actually, most players do the same except for Preston, who loves to harass me every time he sees me, and Jude, who glares at me for no reason. I’m starting to think that’s his default mood.
Twirling my pen, I’m considering ways to acquire Hunter’s DNA sample when my phone vibrates.
I startle, kicking my thighs against the table, and I drop my pen.
Kane
See you tonight at my place.
I narrow my eyes. Maybe it’s because I’m sick and tired of his entitlement, but I type:
Me
No, thanks.
?
???
Are you being sarcastic?
Idk, will you try to communicate better?
What does ‘No, thanks’ mean, Dahlia?
It means no and thanks. Have you lost the ability to read?
What the fuck are you playing at now?
I’m not playing. I just need time off. You know, so I can recover properly and mentally prepare myself for your asshole behavior after you blow your load.
Since when do you care how I treat you after?
Since now. It’s one thing to degrade and humiliate me during sex, but afterward is different. I don’t like the cold shoulder and the clipped communication. I’m not your booty call.
That’s exactly what you are. And I won’t give you the cold shoulder when you know your place and stop being nosy.
I bite my lower lip. He’s right. Kane never promised me anything but sex. I don’t even know why I’m being this butthurt about it.
He means nothing.
In reality, I hate him and where the hell he came from.
You’re just another dick who’s fairly decent at fucking, so I’m glad we’re on the same page.
Decent? Is that what it’s called when you shatter on my cock multiple times a night?
I said what I said. Anyway, I still don’t want to see your face for, like, three days. It’s tiresome.
Don’t make me act uncivil.
Isn’t that your default setting?
Be there tonight.
Only if you won’t fuck me and we watch a movie or something like normal people.
We’re not normal people.
I leave him on Read.
Don’t you dare fucking leave me on Read.
Read.
Dahlia…
Read.
He’s not the only one who can play the detached game. I don’t even like the asshole.
Not one bit.
As I’m leaving the office, the players are filtering out of the locker room.
Hunter and Gavin are clad in Vipers hoodies, with duffel bags slung across their bodies, and speaking in a hushed tone. I try to get closer to overhear what they’re talking about.
A large body blocks my path. “Look who we have here. Daisy.”
Preston smiles down at me, his eyes a bright green.
Great.
I swear he only does this for pure entertainment.
“It’s Dahlia. Seriously, how many D names will you say except for my actual one?”
“As many as it takes.” He stands closer, trapping me against the wall.
“As many as it takes for what?”
“Don’t you worry about that. Tell me, what did you say to Kane that provoked his teenage girl moment that ended with slamming the locker shut? While everyone was having a good time joking around? Instant mood killer. You’re such a drag. Anyone ever tell you that?”
I narrow my eyes.
Preston is really hard to read.
Sometimes, he’s threatening and calling names, and other times, he’s joking around. I’m not sure whether or not he’s diagnosed, but he gives off major ASPD vibes. He gets off on humiliating others and he often does it in a very backhanded way.