It doesn’t help when Ruby makes some sweet saves. While he doesn’t make another goal, one of his attempts has the crowd on their feet, cheering for him. I look at Jeff when he does, and I swear, if he could hurt someone by doing nothing more than looking his way, Ruby would be nothing but a pile of ash right now.
“He should be removed completely,” Zarek says. I glance at him to find that he’s glaring at Jeff on the bench. “I wish I had him in a class.”
“No, you don’t,” Quin says. “You’d get yourself in trouble.”
Zarek doesn’t even argue. His furious glare doesn’t leave Jeff as Jeff’s doesn’t leave Ruby.
We end the game at a loss, 1-3, and Jeff has the audacity to look at Ruby like it’s his fault. As if he missed that Ruby was the only one with a goal on the board.
Ruby doesn’t follow the team to the locker room. He bypasses Alka, who’s talking to Harper, and comes toward me. I wrap him in my arms.
“That was rough,” I offer.
He sighs. “I think I’m going back to my dorm sweaty and taking a shower there. Maybe Alka will get my things from my locker.”
“Don’t do that,” I say. “Don’t let them?—”
Ruby shakes his head. “I’m tired, Oscar. It’s exhausting being around their hostility. It’s not worth playing if I have to stay in this environment. I spent an entire year in a toxic situation, and I promised myself I wouldn’t do that again. This is turning out just like that even if the context is wildly different.”
I wish I had some magic solution. My heart aches for him. It’s a strange and frustrating feeling being so helpless when someone you love is suffering.
I kiss his head and hold him a little tighter. “You’re right. You don’t deserve to live like that ever again. Whatever you decide, Alka and I will support you.”
He tucks his face into my neck. “Thanks.”
“Kip.”
Ruby tenses as he steps away from me, though his shoulders relax when he faces the man who called him. I don’t know the guy who approaches, but he offers Ruby a bag. Ruby gives him a thankful smile.
“I didn’t think you’d want to be in the locker room with Doherty,” he says.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“No problem.” He rests his hand on Ruby’s arm. “I have your back.”
Ruby smiles. “Thanks again.”
He nods and jogs back toward the locker room as Alka approaches. “What did Reeve want?” he asks.
“He read my mind,” Ruby says and lifts his bag. “I’m not going into the locker room. I’m just heading to my dorm to shower and change. Maybe put some armor on. Head gear. Earbuds.”
Alka gives him a tired smile. “I’m sorry. Maybe we should have kept this a secret. I might have been wrong on this.”
Ruby shakes his head. “I don’t know.” He hesitates before giving Alka a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll text you later.” I receive the same peck.
We watch him walk away, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Alka sighs. “I’ll be honest, I don’t know what to do right now.”
“Might be time to talk to the dean,” Quin says as he joins us. “This was… not a good look for anyone. My only connection to the team is you, and I’m embarrassed for the school right now. I’m not even going to tell you how many camera phones were out.”
Alka lets his head fall back as he groans. “Fine. I don’t suppose talking to you counts.Dean.”
“I’d like to say I have some jurisdiction here, but unfortunately, I do not.”
“If you did, what would you do?” I ask. “Just out of curiosity.”
“I’m definitely biased, but I’d remove him from the team permanently. He has no place in a team sport with that behavior. I’m not even touching on the way he spoke to you and Harper,” Quin says. “Zarek was ready to cut his tongue out.”
