Page 30 of Almost Ravaged

“Are you my new spokesperson?” Kai chides. Their tan complexion is a few shades lighter than Cameron’s. Their septum piercing catches the light and draws my attention to several piercings in each of their ears.

“Might as well be, for as forthcoming and friendly as you tend to be,” Cameron quips. She turns back to me. “Don’t mind them. We’re coming off eight weeks of youth hockey camps. It’s been a long-ass summer.”

“How long have you worked here?” I ask.

“Since freshman year. I’m the graduate assistant for the ice arena manager now.”

I perk up and lean forward. “You’re a GA? I am, too.”

I leave out the part where Cameron’s position was my top choice. Since all the roles within the library and information science department had been filled, my hope was that I could find a position that was familiar to me. But, of course, bythe time I was ready to apply, the ice arena assistantship was no longer available either.

“Really? Where’s your placement?”

“I’m with Professor Eden in the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship.”

Cameron hums, looking thoughtful. “I don’t know who that is, but I wouldn’t, since I’m either here or in the sports admin building.” She nudges Kai in the side. “You’re a business major. Do you know a Professor Eden?”

Kai makes a noncommittal grunt but doesn’t look up. “Arrogant prick. Dresses like he knows how hot he is. Allegedly sleeps with students.”

With a hiss, Cameron shoves her friend. “Kai.”

Kai scoffs and finally looks up. “What?”

“You can’t say stuff like that. Sawyer just said he’s her new boss.”

Kai blinks at me, then zeroes in on Cameron. “I saidallegedly.”

My heart plummets. The last thing I need is a douchey, predatory supervisor.

“Are you studying marketing?” Cameron asks, clearly trying to change the subject.

A humorless laugh escapes me. “No. I’m getting my master’s in library and information science. But there were only a couple of assistantships available by the time we decided on Holt, so I took what I could get.”

“We?” Kai asks.

I swallow past my newfound concern and nod. “My brother Atty and his best friend Tytus are freshmen.” I tip my chin toward the hockey rink. “They’re on the team this year.”

Cameron’s eyes double in size. “Davvies and Tremblay? Oh my god. I can’t believe you know them. Coach hasn’t stopped talking about them all summer.”

Relief washes over me. I may still be unsure about how this year will go for me, but at least the guys are off to a good start. “They’re really excited to be here. We all are.”

I tack on that last part mostly for myself. It’s a reminder that regardless of my new boss’s reputation, it’s important that I have a good attitude about this assistantship and everything else Holt has to offer.

Who knows, maybe Kai is exaggerating. Maybe the rumors are wrong. Maybe Professor Eden is ordinary-looking, civil, and professional.

And if he’s not?

After all the shit I’ve been through, I can handle working with a skeevy, pompous academic. It’s only two years. The guys are right where they’re meant to be, and as long as I’m where they are, I’ll gladly endure just about anything.

“Sawyer?” Cameron says, the look of concern she’s sporting making me wonder if this isn’t the first time she’s said my name.

Cheeks heating, I swallow thickly and straighten. “Hmm?”

“If your brother grew up playing hockey, is it safe to assume you know how to skate?”

I frown. “Of course.”

“And you’re sure you’re not interested in a job?” she asks, waggling her perfectly arched brows.