Most of the group was made up of freshmen and sophomores. I recognized Jack Whitfield amongst them. Like me, he didn’t look happy to be here. But he looked even more unhappy when he laid eyes on me. Something about my silence seemed to offend him on a personal level.
His tone was icy when he said, “Must be a rough year for you, Howard. Lost a fight and a spot on the ice. I’ve been wondering why you bothered coming back at all. Not much left for you here.”
I shrugged, trying not to read too much into his words. “I think there’s plenty left.”
He raised his brow, disagreeing. “That so? Stoll doesn’t seem to think so.”
“Who gives a fuck about what Stoll thinks?” one guy said. He had brown skin and long, dark hair that almost reached the middle of his back.
Jack frowned. “You’d be an idiot not to.”
“Stoll’s just one of many factors in contributing to your hockey career,” Henrik said. I kept my gaze locked with Jack, confused about why he looked so pissed and and wanted to say more.
“Anyway, we’ll see you guys later.” Henrik continued our journey. I gave Jack one last glance over before following my friend.
“You know what that was about?” I asked once we were out of earshot.
“Nope. And I don’t care either.” Henrik glanced over his shoulder to look at me. “I’m not fond of department rumors. Gets in the way of what matters.”
I nodded. Normally, I’d agree. But for some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling I was supposed to know more. It wasn’t just because of Jack. Sam had my phone and still wouldn’t tell me what he was looking for.
As I pondered, Henrik led me out the wooden gate surrounding the backyard. I snapped back to the present when he continued to the small patch of forest behind the house. If not for his pale skin, the night would have enveloped him like a long, lost friend.
“Where are we going?” I asked, pausing at the edge of the forest.
“It’s not far,” he promised.
I frowned at his non-answer.
Henrik laughed. “Come on. It’ll be worth it.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Finn
Henrikknewexactlywhereto move on the unpaved path. As we made our way through, I did my best to step wherever he did to avoid tripping. When we emerged from the overgrown trail, I saw a clearing and the edge of a cliff in front of us. There were wooden benches with peeling paint and chipped sides, facing the view of the city. I could see Mendell’s campus from here. The shining lights of the science building, the constant warm glow of the hockey arena. Even the broken campus clock tower wrapped in ivy was visible.
Henrik took a seat on the least grimy bench
“Whoa,” I breathed, still standing to take in the city.
Henrik nodded in agreement. “I’ll say.”
“I didn’t even know this was back here.” I glanced around, taking in the forest at our back. The outside world felt far away. “I didn’t know we were this close to a cliff.”
Henrik leaned back, relaxing his shoulders. “Neither did I until last week when I needed some air. It’s been my getaway spot.”
We sat in silence, listening to the muffled sounds of the city below us and the party behind. My mind got a rare chance to quiet down. The stillness helped my ever-pinching muscles relax for a moment.
“So, let’s hear this speech. I’ve been dying of curiosity,” Henrik teased. “Don’t worry, though. I’ve been mum about it.”
I took a breath and turned to him. “I appreciate it. That’s why I wanted it to be you. Before I start, you need some context.”
Henrik nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. “All ears.”
I cleared my throat. “This isn’t something I like talking about much. I’ve kept it to myself for a lot of reasons.”
He raised a brow, looking a bit worried.
