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“I didn’t mean to scare you,” I say, my voice softer now. “I just... I needed to see you. After last night—”

“Don’t,” she cuts me off, shaking her head. “Don’t even bring it up.”

“Sienna, listen to me—”

“No! I don’t want to hear it, Eli. You and Caleb humiliated me. Do you have any idea how that felt?”

My throat tightens. “I know. I know we screwed up, okay? I’m sorry. I just... I couldn’t leave it like that. I needed to make sure you’re okay.”

“Okay? Do I look okay to you?”

I run a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up. “I didn’t want it to go that far. I swear. It just—”

“Stop. Just stop.” She pulls the comforter tighter around her, like she’s trying to shield herself from me. “You should go.”

“I’m not leaving until we talk.”

“We don’t have anything to talk about.”

“Like hell we don’t,” I snap. “You think I’m just gonna walk away after—” I cut myself off, shaking my head. “I’m trying here, Sienna. I’m trying to make this right.”

“You can’t,” she says quietly, her voice breaking. “You can’t undo what happened.”

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.

I grab one of the students nearby, slipping them a twenty dollar bill. “Hey, can you do me a favor? Take this to the girl in the corner over there.” I hold up the Diet Coke.

The kid blinks at me but nods, taking the can.

Before I can see her reaction, I’m out the door.

The McLaren looks beautiful from afar. I take a moment to look at my car, admiring how fucking sick it is. I take a look around, checking for scratches, any sign of damage. The body is good. I check the tires. Shit. Something silver catches my eye. A fucking nail.

I groan, trying to research the closet mechanic.

Zane’s Auto.

The drive the McLaren slowly to the garage with a sign that reads Zane’s Auto . A tall guy with dark hair steps out, wiping his hands on a rag.

“Nice car,” he says, walking over. “What seems to be the problem?”

“Nail in the tire,” I say.

Zane nods, crouching to inspect the tire. “We’ll get it sorted.”

He starts going on about how he’s going to take care of it for me.

I hear two people laughing as they head to us. One of them I recognize instantly.

Caleb.

I straighten.

And the other? A girl. Short, young-looking, laughing at something he said.

I stiffen, my jaw tightening.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter.

Zane glances up, straightening. “You know Caleb?”

“Yeah,” I say, glaring as they approach. “Seems like he’s got his cock in every girl on campus.”

The second the words leave my mouth, I know I’ve fucked up.

Zane’s expression darkens, and he shoves me back so hard I almost fall to the ground.

“Watch your mouth,” he snaps.

I blink, confused. “What?”

“Babe,” the girl says, her voice soft. “What’s going on?”

Caleb steps in, pulling Zane back. “This is between me and him.”

“What the hell is wrong with you and your friends?” I bark, stepping toward Caleb.

“No one talks about Remy like that,” Zane growls.

It clicks, all at once.

The girl isn’t just some random hookup. She’s Zane’s.

“Shit,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “I didn’t know. Look, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

Remy steps forward, her cheeks pink. “It’s fine,” she says quickly, holding out a hand. “I’m Remy. Nice to meet you.”

I shake her hand, still feeling like an idiot. “Eli. Sorry about the mix-up.”

Zane watches me for a second, then nods, his shoulders relaxing.

Caleb, though, smirks. “Can we talk?”

“No,” I snap, turning back to Zane. “How long is this going to take you?”

“Tomorrow,” Zane says. “I’ll even throw in a discount.”

“Appreciate it.”

I shove past Caleb on my way out, bumping his shoulder hard.

“See you at practice,” I mutter, not bothering to look back.