Page 58

T HE FIRST FEW weeks after spring break are my favorite. My professors are relaxed, the students are off Adderall, and the sun is out. Except this year, three weeks in, and I’m losing my hair.

It doesn’t help that Aiden is miles away playing hockey every weekend and practicing on weekdays. On top of that, the school is investigating the break-in after Dean Hutchins received the email about Langston’s professor-student relationship.

Now, lying in bed while Amara is out and the guys are coming back from a tournament, I can’t sleep. However, my lucky stars must be aligned because when my phone rings, it’s Aiden.

I answer his video call, seeing the tired smile on his lips. “Hey. I tried to keep up with Kian’s short vlogs, but they were cut short.”

“We advanced. And Kilner confiscated Kian’s phone when he tried to make him do a dance.”

I chuckle, feeling lighter with just Aiden’s voice in my ears. “Weren’t you supposed to get back earlier?”

“We did, but I had something to do first,” he says quickly. “Are you coming over?”

“Do I look like a booty call to you, Crawford?”

“Depends. What are you wearing?” He smiles innocently. “We can even extend the booty call and get breakfast in the morning.”

“How thoughtful,” I say dryly. “But I’m a bit tired tonight.” There is too much on my mind, but I can’t tell Aiden about the break-in until it’s resolved, or he’ll try to run into action mode.

“Want me to come over instead?”

“You look exhausted, you’ll probably fall asleep at the wheel.”

“Then come to me. I can send you an Uber.” When I don't answer, he sighs. “Come on, Summer. I’m tired, and I missed you all weekend. I just want you in my bed tonight, please.”

Guilt bites at me. “I’ll be over tomorrow, I promise.”

“You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”

That stings. “Of course. Nothing you need to worry about.”

The look on his face is thoughtful. “You don’t have to deal with everything alone, Summer. I’m here. For you. No other reason. I'd like to prove it to you some time.”

I do what I can without breaking down; I nod.

He scans my face before smiling. “So, my booty call canceled. How about we stay on video?”

This is dangerous territory. If we keep talking, he will pry everything out of my head. But Aiden doesn't need more stress with their final game coming up.

“I think you might have attachment issues, Crawford.”

“As long as you’re the one I’m attached to, I wouldn’t call that an issue.” The ruffle of the covers sounds as he settles into bed.

“Whatever you say, Captain .”

“Say that again.”

“Captain?”

“Yup, that’s it. Talk dirty to me, Summer.”

I laugh. “Shut up.”

“You’re right. I’ll shut up, you keep talking.” He smiles, and when I think he’s asleep he moves again. “Your mom called me this morning.”

Divya Preston has a saying: ‘Clutter in your phone is clutter in your life.’ Finding out Aiden made the cut is oddly satisfying. “What did she say?”

“They’ll be in Toronto soon, so I should visit when I’m there. She even offered me your room to stay in.”

“She’s trying to replace me because you answer her calls.”

Aiden chuckles. “Don’t worry, babe. Eli and I already have an apartment. But I will check out your childhood bedroom.”

“Remind me to have all my posters taken down.”

“Don’t tell me you were a teenage fangirl.”

“Don’t ask questions you’re not ready for. That room holds some dark secrets,” I warn, and he chuckles wearily. “Go to sleep. I can see the dark circles forming.”

“Not true, I’m flawless.”

He actually might be. “Goodnight, my Sleeping Beauty.”

“Night, baby,” he murmurs, sleep overtaking him.

T HE CHIMING OF emails hitting my inbox jolts me awake. My call with Aiden must have disconnected because my phone is sandwiched between my mattress and the wall. Groggily wiping my eyes, I fish it out, and when I open my email, I hear a knock.

Amara’s already at the front door, looking at Sampson’s phone. Squealing, she almost hugs Sampson but turns to me. “We did it!”

I have been mentally preparing myself for being taken away in handcuffs since the break-in. “We did?”

Sampson beams. “Someone I know from the committee said she’s fired. They’re talking to Donny now.”

“You think he’ll get expelled?” asks Amara.

The spark of guilt is unexpected, but Donny used to be someone I cared for. It’s too bad he had let his greed win.

Sampson slides his phone back into his pocket.

“His parents are loaded, and Langston had all the power in their relationship. But he’ll be punished because students read the article on the gossip page, and they’re pissed,” he says.

“ And I talked to Müller. If Langston approved your application and you've been denied or waitlisted, you can reapply with the dean’s approval.”

Leaving my dreams and all the people I love for Stanford was so painful that I shoved my feelings deep down—until right now. Hope bubbles up. “But what about the investigation?”

“Someone confessed. Müller didn’t say who it was.”

Relief doesn't set in, and I hope whoever confessed won’t get in too much trouble. Part of me knows that letting someone else take the blame will eat away at me until I make it right.

Amara jostles me into a hug again, distracting me from my thoughts. “You’re not leaving! I was totally getting an army ready to hack admissions for you.”

I hug her tighter. “I should tell Aiden the good news, too.”

“Definitely. You should surprise him. Wear something sexy!”

Sampson groans.

“He has practice. I’m not going to walk in there in lingerie.”

“Wear a trench coat,” she offers.

“She’s going to look like a flasher. Please don’t do that,” says Sampson, looking worried about our decision-making skills.

Amara gives him a look. “What do you suggest then, Tyler?”

“My jersey,” he grins. “Kidding. But you should tell him, he’ll be happy.”

Amara and I exchange a look. “You want him to be happy? Since when?” I’m stunned by the new discovery.

“Since he started making you smile,” Sampson admits. My awestruck expression makes him roll his eyes, but he allows my hug. “Okay, that’s my quota for hugs.” He moves out of my grip.

“Go already.” Amara pushes me, and I’m out of there before she realizes she’s alone with Sampson.

When I arrive, I’m looking through the plexi to find him on the ice when I catch Dylan walking in late.

“Hey Dylan, I need to talk to Aiden. Is he late?”

“You don’t know?” he asks, and I stare in confusion. “Summer, he was kicked off the team this morning. Kilner didn’t want to, but he’s out for the rest of the season. He’s done.”

My heart drops, and shock swirls in my chest. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. Well, as fine as he can be after being told he’s missing his last Frozen Four.” He must see my confusion because he goes on. “Donny caught up with him after we got back from Princeton the other day. Aiden confessed to that break-in.”

My mouth feels dry, and my bones feel weak when I lose my footing and stumble forward.

Dylan catches my arm. “You good?”

“It’s my fault.”

Dylan’s strong hold gives me enough energy to stand on my own. “He would never let you go down for it, Sunny.”

Anger sears my chest. “Why the hell would he do that?”

“He would do anything for you, you know that. Honestly, if he didn’t, one of us would have.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Look, I gotta go practice, but he’s at the house if you wanna talk to him. Think you’ll be okay to get there?”

I nod and head out of the arena, pulling out my phone.

Aiden

Summer : You are so dead, Crawford. I’m going to strangle you!

Aiden : Yeah? What else?

Summer : Don’t play with me! I’m coming over.

Aiden : Pants on or off?

God , he is infuriating. But before I can head over to the hockey house, there’s something I need to do, so I text Amara.

A MARA’S RAGE IS palpable as she storms over to one oblivious guy who startles when she approaches. “Rai! You fuck with my best friend again, and I will crush your skinny little bones with a pillowcase full of your textbooks.”

He smirks. “Bodyguard? Surprised it isn’t your jock.”

“She can call him too,” threatens Amara.

I move forward. “You did all this just to take my co-op spot? There were students whose futures depended on getting into the program. Shannon Lee left because of what you did!”

His face is a mask of indifference. “Last time I checked, Shannon made her own decisions. Besides, with her gone, you had a shot. Though we both know you’ll always come second to me.”

“Really? Because I’m pretty sure you’re the one who had to fuck our professor to secure your spot.”

His jaw tightens. “Maybe I just wanted to have some fun.”

Anger spreads through my blood like poison. “You did it on purpose, didn’t you? Instead of threatening me, you went to Aiden. You’re a fucking coward, Donny.”

“Coward or not, I’m the one who got into the program. Have fun in California, Summer. Maybe you can find another hockey player to fuck your way through your assignments.”

My slap that ricochets off his face, sending a sharp sting to my hand. But the pain doesn’t register because of the rage that boils through me.

Donny steps forward, but Amara blocks him with a hand on his chest. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

His rough exhale is angry before he takes off.

I turn to Amara. “Can you drive me to Aiden’s?”

“After a slap like that, I’ll give you anything,” she laughs.

***

Aiden

Y OU DON’T KNOW your girlfriend's strength until she’s absolutely livid. As soon as I open the front door, I’m pushed back. “How could you?!”

I have to take hold of Summer’s frantic arms. “Listen—”

“No, Aiden!” She yanks her arms away. “You told me not to mess up mine, so why can’t you do the same?”

Her anger is burning hot, and to balance some of that heat, I stay calm. “Because I know how hard you’ve worked for this.”

“So have you! You’re missing your final game because of me.”

Her eyes swim with the hurt I can’t bear to see. The whole point of this was to avoid that. To never see her cry like she did that night in my arms. “Baby,” I start.