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Her words hit like a punch to the gut. I take a step back, the space between us feeling like a chasm. “I’m sorry,” I say again, but it feels useless.

She doesn’t respond, just looks away, her jaw tight. I grab my shoes, shoving them on, my chest tight. As I’m about to leave, her voice stops me.

“What did Caleb mean?” she asks, her voice trembling. “When he said I was who you ‘presented to the table’?”

I freeze. The air feels heavier. “Sienna—”

“Don’t lie to me, Eli,” she says sharply. “What did he mean?”

I swallow hard, my throat dry. I hesitate, but the look on her face tells me she’s not letting this go.

“To join the Brotherhood, I had to... I had to sleep with a virgin.”

The disgust on her face is immediate, like I’ve slapped her. She recoils, shaking her head. “You’re kidding me.”

“I didn’t fuck you, did I?”

“You fucked someone else?” she scoffs, and I think I can finally use something to my advantage. Is she jealous?

“So, what if I did.”

“Get out!” Her voice is cold now, all the warmth gone. “Don’t talk to me. Don’t come near me. Just... leave.”

“Sie, there’s only one girl I want to fuck, and I’m in her room right now.”

Her eyelids flutter. “I don’t believe a single word you say.”

“I’m sorry for how it went down last night. Let me make it up to you.”

“No,” she says, turning away.

I clench my jaw, forcing myself to leave.

The walk back to my car feels like a death march, every step heavier than the last. When I slide into the driver’s seat, I slam my hands against the steering wheel, cursing under my breath.

Practice starts sharp at 8 AM, and as expected, Coach Jacobs is already barking orders before I’ve even laced my skates.

“Grayson! Let’s see some hustle today!”

I nod and hit the ice, skating hard to warm up. The drills are brutal, but it’s the last practice before tomorrow’s game, so everyone’s giving it their all. Well, everyone except Caleb.

The guy’s a no-show.

Not that I’m complaining. The tension between us is thick enough to choke on, and I don’t need his bad attitude screwing with my focus. Still, I can tell Coach isn’t thrilled about it. His lips press into a thin line every time someone asks where Caleb is.

The drills drag on for another two hours, and by the time we finish, I’m soaked in sweat but feeling good. I skate off the rink, peel off my gear, and hit the showers.

I’m standing at the vending machine, debating between water and a Diet Coke. My hand hovers over the buttons before I press for the Diet Coke.

Walking out with the can, I head toward the library.

I haven’t seen her since I left her bedroom, and it’s starting to get to me. She’s stuck in my head like a song I can’t shake.

I step inside, scanning the rows of desks and chairs until I spot her. She’s curled up in a corner, her hair spilling over her shoulder as she reads, completely absorbed in whatever book she’s reading.

I pause for a second, just watching her. She looks peaceful.

Then I get an idea.