I had to bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing as the people in earshot stared at us in interest.
Someone else was watching, too. Volkov’s hard gaze followed us all the way out of the room.
“We cannot… Too suspicious…Nyet.Ne par’sya. Everything is going to plan.”
What the fuck? My heart was pounding out of my chest as I inched around the corner, catching a glimpse of the shadowy figure talking in a low tone.
Anton Volkov. Out here alone in the dark, making plans. If I hadn’t called it a night, I might’ve missed this.
Behind me, the door creaked, voices filtering through the muted wall of noise, and Volkov’s head flew up.
“…Yeah, you’re right. She was fucking fit. Why does Hoyton get all the hottest girls?”
I launched myself backwards, out of sight of Volkov. A body knocked into my side, and I spun around to see Toby and Neo, both looking a little worse for wear, staggering slightly as they stepped onto the pavement. Thinking fast, I leaned into them and threw my arm around Toby’s shoulders.
I was just in time, because Volkov appeared, suspicion written all over his face.
“Volksy!” Toby slurred. “You coming back with us? After-party at our place.”
“No.” He focused his attention on me. “What are you doing?”
“Designated driver. Someone has to keep an eye on these two.” Keeping my tone casual, I held his gaze. Thank fuck Toby and Neo were both drunk enough to make it believable.
Or so I hoped.
29
NOVA
Clutching my lunch tray, I moved away from the cafeteria payment point and scanned the long rows of plastic tables and attached chairs, bolted to the floor so they were immovable. My gaze caught on someone waving madly, and I returned Liana’s smile, turning in her direction.
My smile dropped when I realised who was occupying the same table. Liana had commandeered one end along with two of our friends from our course, and she’d placed her bag on the free seat next to her to save it for me. But at the other end sat five members of the hockey team, surrounded by women. Which…yes, that was normal, and I was prepared for that, but what I wasn’t prepared for was to see Jay sitting opposite Anton, with Gemma Clark, a fresher who was loosely affiliated with the Hoytons, perched on his lap.
Unexpected jealousy raged through me, burning hot and fast.No. I couldn’t do this. Quickly averting my gaze, I clasped the tray more tightly to hide the fact that my handswere suddenly shaking. I hadn’t realised until right then just how much I was beginning to feel for Jay. It wasn’tfair.
“Nova. My beautiful fiancée. Come here.”
There was no sense in making a scene. I managed a jerky nod, pasting on a smile.It’s not Anton’s fault that you’ve both been manoeuvred into this situation. “Anton.” I slid into the seat he’d just kicked Neo out of, shooting him an apologetic look. “Um, hi, Neo. Sorry.”
Neo shrugged, unconcerned. “Good timing. Me and Toby are done here.”
“We are?” His teammate glanced down at the apple he’d just taken a bite of. He rolled his eyes when Neo pointedly cleared his throat, grabbing the bottle of Coke and energy bar from his tray. Throwing the apple to Neo, he climbed to his feet. “Yeah, I guess we are. Apparently. Kayla, Georgia, you coming?”
As Neo bit into the apple, two of the girls rose from the table, and after a short pause, another two followed them. The six of them disappeared from the cafeteria, leaving three hockey players. A silent Kane, who was completely ignoring everyone, cutting into his food with the kind of precision I’d only ever seen from Daniel. And then there was Anton and Jay. Jay…who still had Gemma perched on his lap, looking far too comfortable.
Liana glanced over at our friends, and then, without another word, slid her tray down the table to the now vacant seat next to Kane. I could see her physically steel herself, and I forced myself not to smile. My girl had my back, overriding her distaste for Kane Worthington and hockey players in general to keep me company.
“Where are Ryker and Daniel?” I asked the table at large, flicking my gaze over our little group but purposely avoiding Jay.
After a long, uncomfortable silence, Gemma spoke. “The last I heard, they were at Ashbrook House.”
They’d been there last night, but there was no way they’d still be there. Was there?
Vesper had messaged me early this morning, giving me a brief overview of the previous night. She’d been sure to make it clear that she’d tried to shield Jay from Anton, which I was grateful for, but I didn’t like the fact that she’d felt like she had to get involved with my drama. I didn’t want anyone else to be tangled up in the mess I’d caused.
I was forced to meet Gemma’s eyes. She was still looking far too comfortable on Jay’s lap. Dredging up a polite smile that I should probably thank my mother for, I said, “They have classes today. Why would they be there?”
“Hmm.” Her mouth twisted, and I already knew I wasn’t going to like the answer. “Maybe because the hockey team spent the night there?”
