Page 26

Chapter 26

Aiden

“For fuck’s sake, Hunter. Get your head in the game,” Coach growls, slapping the side of my helmet. With a frustrated huff, I push off with my other teammates, heading back into the rink.

Noah skates past me with a chuckle. “The king looks a little wobbly on his throne. I wonder why.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I throw back, which only makes him laugh harder.

“You should be lucky we’re just practicing. Otherwise, you’d be kissing New York goodbye.”

My fingers curl around my stick as the voice of reason urges me to calm down.

It’s hard to summon any calmness after that phone call from Scarlett last night. Hearing her anguished cry almost fucking broke me. Someone broke into her house and attacked her dog. Who the fuck would do such a heartless thing?

“Hunter!” Coach barks.

I whip around, just as an opposing team member sinks the puck into the back of our net. Fuck. Coach blows the whistle as I move off. He beckons to me. With a sigh, I glide to him.

“What the hell is going on with you, huh?” he asks fiercely as I zoom up. “You’ve been playing like shit for the entire game. What, did that meeting with Nathan get to your head?”

“Got a lot on my mind, Coach.” Like finding the fucker who dared to ruin not only Scarlett’s life, but her family’s, too. Milo has been a part of the Pierces for ten years. A long fucking time, enough for me to understand how much their hearts are breaking right now. I’m relieved that Milo got urgent attention last night that saved his life. Even then, he’ll remain admitted at the animal hospital for a week or two. That’s an expense they can’t afford.

An expense that I’ll anonymously cover, knowing how prideful Scarlett can be.

“Whatever those issues are, you’d better dump them right here.” Coach points to the floor. “Winning that match on Thursday is quite crucial, you know that. We lose, you can kiss that meeting goodbye.”

I nod with understanding, sobering up. I’ll get my head in the game now, then fuck shit up later. Whoever did this, they’re not getting away.

Giving Coach two thumbs up, I glide back to the center and at the whistle, I do what I know best, dominate. It’s even more satisfying to see Noah’s frustrated face when I repeatedly slap the puck past the goal line.

At the end of practice, Cameron drops his butt on the bench beside me as I take a swig from my water bottle. “Dude, are you okay?”

I shake my head while twisting the bottle between my hands. Cameron taps his knees patiently, waiting for me to respond. I’m not sure if I want to. Revealing that I’m privy to Scarlett’s personal life will trigger questions I’m not ready to answer.

“Saw Scarlett this morning,” he mumbles, and my head shoots up.

“Where?”

“Heading to class, I guess. She looked shaken up. Kept glancing around her.”

Sighing harshly, I scrub my face. I wished she’d taken my advice and asked for sick leave from that exam. When I rushed over to her place last night, she was in no shape to lift a pencil. Then again, I’ve never met a more determined person. It’s a trait that drew me to her and one that makes me fall harder for her. She’s not giving up, no matter what.

“I can’t help feeling like there’s a connection somewhere,” Cameron says.

His discerning eyes stay locked on my face. He knows me too well.

“Someone broke into Scarlett’s house last night and injured her dog,” I finally mumble.

“Holy fuck.”

“Yeah. It wrecked the shit out of her.” My eyes now trained on Noah. He’s a bit too cheerful today.

“Seems it wrecked the shit out of you, too. It explains how thrown off you were during the game,” he replies.

“That had nothing to do with Scarlett. Just a ton of shit going on at home,” I explain.

Cameron gives me a long, speculative stare. “Either you talk about what’s going on or let it go, because it’s affecting your game. This isn’t the time to be fumbling the puck. We’re not missing the championships this year.”

“Fucking hell, we won’t,” I reply firmly, my attention going back to Noah. His grin fades when he sees me looking. With an eye roll, he grabs his gear and heads out.

I want to share my suspicion with Cameron, but it’s too crazy. I can’t imagine Noah being so desperate. He doesn’t like Scarlett, but would he go to such lengths to mess with her head?

God, I hope not.

Scarlett mentioned several recent break-ins in her neighborhood, but there were no reports of any harm. This seems personal. I can’t let that suspicion go.

I also can’t ignore the possibility that Noah might be behind it.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m getting out of this shit,” Cameron mutters, rising. Gathering my things, I follow him to the locker room. I have a class at noon, after which I’m scooping Scarlett from wherever she is.

Which currently, is our locker room.

Facing off with Noah.

Blind rage pushes me forward. It feels like déjà vu as Noah flies back from the force of my hard shove against his chest. “Get the fuck away from her,” I seethe.

To my surprise, he doesn’t retaliate. Yet, he’s still pissed as hell. “The traitor stole my fucking money. I want it back.”

“That’s a lie. Why would I take your money?” Scarlett asks, red-faced.

Noah scoffs. “Is that a trick question, you trailer park trash? I guess your ragtag family will be eating well for once, huh?”

“Noah, I swear to God, you’re begging for a beat down at this point,” I growl.

“Why the fuck do you keep defending this thief? Did she promise you a blowjob or something?” Noah barks back.

I lunge at him as someone grabs my arm.

Coach.

“Hunter, don’t even think about it.” He shifts between me and Noah. “What’s going on here?”

Noah repeats his atrocious accusation and Coach turns his attention to Scarlett. “I didn’t take his money. I literally just stepped in to put the laundry bags down when Noah showed up. How would I know the combination to his locker, anyway?”

“I left it open, you dumb twat—”

Coach slides me a warning glare as I move toward Noah again. “Cool it, Hunter. Wilson, one more insult and I’m benching your ass.”

Noah huffs. “She was the only one here when I came in. I checked my bag and the money was gone.”

“Doesn’t mean she took it,” I throw at him.

Scarlett turns out her pockets, then gives him a defiant stare. “See? Nothing.”

“Clearly, you already stashed it someplace.” He smirks. “How about we check your stuff?”

“This is ridiculous,” she replies, throwing up her hands.

Coach sighs. “Let’s put this debate to rest, shall we? Scarlett, where’s your bag?”

She hesitates for a brief moment before muttering, “Back in Melissa’s office.”

“Let’s go.” Coach beckons to the exit. Scarlett looks at Noah tentatively, then moves off.

I take one step forward and Cameron grabs me. “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? I’m following them.”

“Dude, I know you feel responsible for how Noah treats Scarlett, but you’re doing too much,” Cameron says, his frown deepening. “Unless there’s something you’re not telling me.”

“No, nothing. Fuck.” I stare at the exit. Going after Scarlett would only confirm Cameron’s rising suspicion and I can’t have that.

I feel helpless and I hate it. What’s worse, this keeps being my fucking fault.

“If she didn’t take the money, she’ll prove it—”

“If? Scarlett’s no thief, Cameron.”

“I’d like to believe that, because she’s a nice girl. But Aiden, we know nothing about her.”

“I thought you were on team Scarlett,” I say, raising a brow at him. “What changed?”

“I still think she’s a decent girl, but that’s only from what I observe around here,” he replies. “Outside of Hempton, I know nothing about her. We know nothing about her.”

And I’d like to refute that statement, but of course, I can’t. With a sigh, I whip around and head to my locker. I’m down to my towel, ready to hit the showers when Coach walks in with a grave expression.

And Noah wears a triumphant smirk.

My heart sinks to the floor of my stomach when he lifts his man purse and waves it in the air.