Juniper heads for the door before she looks back and says, “Let me know when you get back. We’ll go out tonight. I’m due to irritate Kalen anyway. Maybe we’ll go to a hockey party,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows and that does make me laugh.
“I’ll let you know, and thanks for having my back,” I say sincerely, because I truly think she does.
When she’s out the door, calling Sparkles to follow her, I pace around for a few minutes. Sebastian is at warmups right now, so if I leave now I can probably catch him. I deserve to have something stable for once. Which means I’m ending this with Sebastian before he can lie to me about anything else. Something Juniper said to me is stuck in my mind. He was stalking me. For how long? He just transferred here, and I never thought to ask him why. He consumes me in a way no one else has, and I’m just realizing that I don’t know very much about him except for how he treats me.
I grab my phone.
My keys.
You’re in for a rude awakening, number eight.
LIVY
By the time I reach the rugby stadium, the place is already buzzing with energy. Stadium lights shine across the field, and crowds of students in school colors are flooding through the entrances.
Everything is baby blue and sage green all mingling together.
My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it’s echoing in my ears as I push my way toward the players’ entry area near the side of the stadium.
I don’t need to bribe my way in, because I already see him. He’s not even dressed for the game, which makes no sense. I wasn’t sure if he would already be on the field when I started my way over here.
The man who promised me I’d never sleep without him again looks like he isn’t in any hurry to get ready for the game. He insisted I come here with his name plastered on my back no less. So I’m wondering why he’s letting some girl hang on his arm, and why is he looking down at her the same broodingly possessive way he looks at me?
The sight of them together hits me so hard it feels like someone just drove a fist straight through my chest. But as I get closer, the angle shifts. Something feels really off. Why is hedressed like that? I’ve only ever seen him in Knights hoodies. He’s in a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. And what is going on with his hair? It’s styled, not just messy and cute. I’ve never seen the girl before, and I’m sure if I’d seen him with her she would have stuck out. I would have noticed her. She’s beautiful with piercing blue eyes and pouty lips. He’s looking at her like she’s his entire world. He’s looking at her like he looks at me, and I feel like I’m going to vomit right here.
My chest burns and I feel stupid.
So unbelievably stupid.
Because last night I was lying in bed with him, trusting him with parts of myself I’ve never trusted anyone with before. And the entire time he was watching me through cameras like I’m some kind of science project. The humiliation mixes with the anger until it feels like I might explode.
I point at him before I can stop myself.
“You!”
My voice comes out breathless and sharp, drawing a few curious glances from the crowd pushing past us toward the stadium.
“I know you were in my room!” I absolutely hate how my voice shakes. I hate showing weakness to anyone, and that’s exactly how I feel right now.
Like a fool who was played so easily.
Sebastian’s expression barely changes from the moment his eyes spot me. He doesn’t look shocked, he doesn’t look surprised. He looks so annoyed, and that only makes me angrier.
Worried about my safety, my ass.
Is he kidding me right now? If he was playing me the entire time, why was he watching my every move? There wasn’t just one camera in my room for funsies. The dude had mastered the art of the angle.
I look at Sebastian expectantly, and then when he does look like he’s going to say something finally, a huge wave of rage overtakes me. Does he message this girl all day long asking her if she’s eaten? Does he keep a running tally on how much water she’s drinking and threaten to spank her if she falls short?
What the fuck is happening right now? I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.
“Don’t even try to deny it,” I snap, my finger still pointed straight at his chest. “I found the cameras, Sebastian. All of them.”
The words taste bitter in my mouth because while I’m not giving him a chance to speak, I really do want answers. Is this just something he does for fun? Did someone set him up to do this? Is he sending the footage of me to the man who’s been stalking me?
My blood feels like it’s running cold now, and I feel lightheaded at the possibilities.
“I turned the cameras into the Dean’s office. They did nothing, by the way. So I don’t know who you think you are or what kind of power you think you have here, but I’m not going to put up with it.” My voice shakes slightly on the last part, but I force myself to keep going. I’m lying. I didn’t report anything to the university. They wouldn’t do anything about it, but I’m just so hurt and angry that I can’t help myself.
