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I think back to that morning–to the night before. How out of it I felt. Foggy headed and nauseous. I’d overslept, and according to Chantelle, had passed out on her. I thought I’d gotten blackout, which isn’t like me, but maybe I wasn’t just drunk. Maybe I’d been–

“This has to be wrong,” I toss the paper on the desk. “I wouldn’t ever take something like that. If I’m going to get high, I sure as fuck want to remember it.”

Reese shoots me a look and shakes his head, but Coach ignores me. “After talking to the medical officials we think that it’s entirely possible that you were drugged–even if accidental.”

“You do?”

“Cain vouched for you. Said that the night of the party you were fine, but suddenly had slurred speech. He also assumed it was too much alcohol, but your behavior following that night tracks with the effects of GHP.” Anger flickers in his eyes. “The NCAA showing up for unannounced drug testing at the same time as you getting drugged? Sounds like sabotage.”

I look at Reese, who is looking at me. This time not just with anger, but something else. Sadness? Pity? I don’t like it.

“Your probation stands, as well as your follow up drug test in two weeks. We’ll push back on the NCAA’s findings and request further investigation. I’ll submit a report this morning.”

My head spins trying to follow what’s happening. “I’ve been impressed with how you’ve stepped it up over the last week, Axel, and I don’t want this to cause any setbacks.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t.”

He gestures for us to leave, Reese following me out into the hall. I turn and say, “You vouched for me?”

He doesn’t respond, just jerks his chin toward the exit. “We need to talk.”

“What about?”

“Who the hell spiked that drink.”

Every meetingbetween athletes is going to take place in one of two places: the playing field of their choice or over food.

Reese and I are sitting at a sticky table in the back of a truckstop diner, with massive plates of eggs, bacon, pancakes and more in front of us.

“Why did you vouch for me with Coach?” I ask, pouring syrup between each pancake.

“Because I know you didn’t intentionally take that drug.” He crushes up his bacon and mixes it in with his eggs. “Like you said, even when I think it’s over the top, you like to be there for the fun.” We both take a big bite of our meals, chewing in silence. Once he swallows he says, “Tell me what you remember.”

“Not much,” I admit. “Smoking with the rowing boys in the Jeep–just a couple of hits too. Then I had a couple of beers while we were playing quarters.” I scowl. “We can blame your girlfriend for the amount I had to drink due to her winning streak.”

“Yeah that’s on her.” He grins and slathers strawberry jam across his toast. “What else?”

I think back. ”I remember you and TG leaving the game table and Reid taking your place. I did a lot better against him. Oh,”I lift my fork pointing it at him, “I remember when the football team showed up. Reynolds looking all smug about his three fucking touchdowns.”

“Right,” Reese says, forehead furrowed. “We were outside by then. I only knew Reynolds and McMichael were there when you came out with Nadia.”

“Yeah, she mentioned that we talked that night. I have no fucking memory of that at all.”

“So you remember those guys coming in, and then nothing else?”

I search my memory, but it’s nothing but an infuriating black hole. “Nothing. It’s just gone. Which makes a lot more sense knowing someone fucking dosed me at some point.” I take a sip of juice. “You really think it was sabotage? Who? Easton? St. Andrews? Thatcher? They’re our biggest competition right now.”

“Maybe,” he says. “There’s something I remember from the party.”

“Yeah?” I take another bite of pancake. “What’s that?”

“When you and Nadia came out you were slurring your words. I asked you then, how much you had to drink and you told me about the weed and the beers.” His jaw tightens. “You also told us that you’d had Nadia’s drink and that it tasted bad.”

“I took her drink?”