My spine stiffens as students pour out around us, so many fans still here despite the fact the game ended twenty minutes or so ago.
4-1, Dragons.
I wonder if that means Sylvan won’t come for me like he said he would. Maybe he’ll be too busy getting a girl like Tasia to suck his dick.
I wonder what it is that Faust allegedly has to give to me. A knife in my ribs, too?
“No, that’s okay, go ahead. I’m going to get an Uber. I’m tired.” I pull my phone from the pocket of my long, deep brown wool coat and open up the app, despite the fact I’m not going to use it.
Watching Faust and Sylvan on the ice gave me a rush, knowing I might see them after, in our private conversation. Having everyone in the arena cheer and chant their name, not to mention the fact Faust assisted in every single goal, it was a high.
I know it’s silly, and this is exactly how famous men get laid by beautiful women. I understand the psyche. But the second rum and Diet I had probably didn’t help the electric tingling in my blood.
And with what feels like most of Drayton U plus their parents here, a false feeling of safety sweeps over me. Like nothing could hurt me here.
Even if a man just died outside these walls.
No more police tape to mark his outline as far as I’m aware, no more cop cars, nothing to say he existed that night, and then in a matter of minutes, he didn’t.
“I liked sitting beside you, Neve!” Tas’s voice joins Cynthia’s pleas to get me to the afterparty they’re headed to. “Besides, I’m sure most of the boys will be there.” Tas winks at me, andI admire the fact her mascara hasn’t smudged, but then I have a visual gut-punch image of Sylvan fucking her in my head and feel like I want to throw up. Or punch her. Or both.
Nope. No.
I smile at both of them but hold up my phone, like a reminder I’m “taking an Uber.”
“I’ve done enough drinking for the weekend.” I give Cynthia a meaningful look, her brown eyes sparkling under the lights as people politely edge around us, heading to their cars, waiting for rides. Somewhere in the cold October night, a chant starts up.
My stomach flips when I realize what they’re chanting.
“Faust! Faust! Faust!” Giving his name two syllables instead of the one it actually has.
A quiet“Boo!”goes off in the crowd, no doubt from a Hamilton man, but he’s drowned out in jeers soon enough.
“Let me know if you need me to pick you up tonight,” I tell my roommate. “Or if you need anything at all.” Like help burying a body.
She nods to me as Tas squeals.
“The limo is here!”
I glance over her shoulder and see it. A fucking limo, making its way through the packed parking lot.
A few people honk their horns at the intrusion; other people rush over like the players themselves might be inside.
Cynthia frowns as she glances over her shoulder. “Was that necessary?” she asks Tas.
But Tas just laughs. “Dad gives me enough to take one every night. Come on.” She links her arm with a reluctant Cyn and I want to grab my friend back by her red peacoat, but Cynthia’s smile returns and it looks genuine as she finds my face again.
“Be careful,” she mouths.
“Have fun!” I shoo her off as Tas drags her away, a few other girls headed toward the limo, too, which makes me feel better. It doesn’t look like any guys are hopping in.
But as soon as my best friend ducks under Tas’s lean arm and disappears into the limousine, I turn around and start slowly making my way through the crowd to the entrance doors for Sky.
They’re propped open, ensuring the exits don’t get jammed up, but I see a lot of people still inside, some lined up at food stands. I’m not sure when they close or how long I have, but I can see my breath outside and it’s reminding me too much of Wednesday night to the point I’m thinking about walking over to the library, then getting an Uber from there. About a two minute walk, but there won’t be a chance of me missing my ride or having it stolen.
For now, I’ll play this game Sylvan is coordinating.
When I’m inside the arena again and tucked into a corner of the entrance hall away from people ordering hot dogs and shouting to each other about the game, staff emptying trash cans and picking up game day towels and gum wrappers from the floor, I unlock my phone and swipe down to see my notifications.
