Rowan shakes out his hair and runs his hand through it like he’s trying to look casual. “I saw all of you smoking at the party.”
Ben scoffs. “What the fuck?”
“My test is negative,” I say flatly.
“So is mine,” Warren adds.
“Mine too,” the rest of the guys echo.
Coach walks back in looking exhausted. “That’s enough. Rowan is the team captain, and he’s just looking out for the team. Right, Rowan?”
Rowan nods once. “Right.”
The door opens again. Zephyr walks in looking sweaty from his ice time with Rowan.
Coach says, “Alright, Rowan. You’re taking a test right now. Come with me.”
Zephyr and Rowan exchange a look. It’s quick but loaded with something I can’t quite read. I watch them both carefully, wondering what the hell that was about.
As soon as Coach and Rowan are out of the room, I turn to Zephyr. “What the fuck was that?”
Zephyr raises an eyebrow but doesn’t answer.
“You’re all buddy-buddy with Rowan now?” I ask.
“He’s got some shit going on,” Zephyr says carefully.
I click my tongue. “He did it, didn’t he? He’s the one who sabotaged the samples, and he’s pointing blame at everyone else.” I almost laugh, can’t fucking help but think I’m right.
Ben whistles low. “Our team captain is about to be in big trouble.”
Zephyr shakes his head. “I never said he did it.”
“You didn’t have to,” I say, crossing my arms and leaning back in my chair. “Can’t wait to see what his results are.”
So we wait.
Ten minutes pass. Then fifteen.
I’m checking my phone. Texting no one. Just killing time.
Asher’s bouncing his leg. Warren and Justin are whispering to each other. Ben’s staring at the ceiling like he’s counting tiles.
Finally, they walk back in.
Coach looks like he’s aged five years.
“You guys are free to leave,” he says casually.
I shake my head. “After all that, Coach?”
“Just go home, Brixton.”
I shrug. “Nah. Not until I know if our captain’s test was negative or not.”
The guys don’t move. Nobody stands. Nobody reaches for their bags.
Coach exhales slowly through his nose. “We can discuss this tomorrow.”
