Page 31 of Almost Ravaged

I shake my head and unzip my bag. “GAs aren’t allowed to hold other jobs, and I’m here on a student visa.”

Cameron holds up a single finger and breaks into a knowing smile. “GAs aren’t allowed to have additional jobsoffcampus. We are allowed to have on-campus jobs in addition to our assistantships, as long as we work no more than twenty-eight hours per week.”

Kai snorts. “You sound like a walking student handbook.”

Cameron crosses her arms over her chest, giving Kai a look that would make me wither if it was aimed at me. “I’m in charge of hiring for the year, and the girl canskate, Kai.”

“Is that uncommon around here?” I shift, bringing my hands to my low back, and dig my knuckles into the tight knots around my tailbone. It’s going to take a few days to recover from our car ride, I fear.

“You have no idea,” Kai deadpans.

“I’d give you first pick of assignments on every shift,” Cameron says, her tone taking on an edge of desperation. “Concessions. Open skate monitor. Skate rental counter. Or not, if you don’t like working with people. You won’t have to sharpen a single skate or sell even a roll of hockey tape if you don’t want to.”

I can’t help the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “I mean—”

“You’re going to be here a lot anyway, right?” she presses. “Might as well get paid. Look at us. We’re on the clock right now. Most days it’s quiet until afternoon practice and evening lessons start up.”

I guess I’m not opposed to the idea, even if I’ll have no trouble continuing to live off my inheritance while I work on my graduate degree. Cameron’s right. I’ll be here anyway. She and Kai seem cool, and I could stand to make a few friends.

“You’re sure it’s not against school policy?” I hedge. Naturally I’ll double-check on my own, but really, that’s my only hesitation.

Cameron grins. “Completely sure. I’ll send you a link to the policy right now.” She whips out her phone and unlocks the screen. “What’s your number?”

I rattle it off, and when my own device vibrates in my back pocket, I pull it out.

“There,” she declares, her eyes alight with triumph. “I texted you, added you to the group chat Kai, Skylar—our other roommate—and I mostly use to communicate, and added you to the Shrinky Dink Rink Crew Group Chat.”

My phone vibrates again, then again, buzzing with each new notification.

Good grief.

I couldn’t have imagined an encounter like this if I’d tried, especially within hours of arriving at Holt. But when I look back up, both Cameron and Kai are watching me expectantly.

Swallowing past the sense of unease that always accompanies change, I smile back at them. “Okay. What do I have to do for open interviews?”

Kai shakes with laughter and peers over at Cameron.

“Not a single thing,” Cameron says. “I’m in charge of hiring, and this was your interview. Welcome to the crew, Sawyer Davvies.”

Chapter thirteen

Sawyer

My phone chimes with the twinkly sound I use exclusively for dating apps. Despite being in bed, already stripped down to a tank top and panties, I pluck the device off the nightstand and unlock the screen.

One of the benefits of being a GA is having a furnished single suite in one of the newer residence halls. My position comes with an unlimited meal plan as well, so I’ve been eating in the dining hall or at the ice arena each day. But I’m grateful for the kitchenette and the ability to stay holed up in my room if and when I want.

Like tonight.

Most everyone who works at the arena was headed downtown to celebrate their last night of freedom before classes begin. But Atty and Ty were wiped out from all the practices over the weekend, and since I’m still feeling the effects of our long drive to Holt, a night in to decompress sounded perfect to me.

I hold up my phone and grin at the two notifications from the Unicorn Hunter app on the screen. Anticipation swirls in my belly as I click the icon and wait for my new matches to load.

With the lack of notifications coming through over the last few days, I worried that none of my go-to apps would be fruitful here. Unicorn Hunter is always hit or miss, but that’s mostly because of my personal requirements. I’m picky, especially when it comes to threesomes with established couples, which is the whole point of the app.

The Unicorn Hunter app matches couples looking for a third with singles, thus helping them find their unicorn. It’s cheesy, yes, but it’s discreet.

As I read through the first profile that pops up, my intuition fires off warning shots. I scrunch my nose at the profile pic, a torso shot of a man and woman with his arm possessively gripping the apex of her thighs. Phrases like “birthday gift” and “fulfilling my fantasy” turn the excitement in my belly to nausea.