“Yeah, I remember that.” Felix nods, pressing his thumb to his lips. “Holt was loud about it. He’d tell anyone who’d listen that she was lying.”
“Was the allegation against him?” It was so long ago, I don’t remember.
“Nah. Chambers took the hit on the one I think.” Felix says.
“You remember what came of it?” Julio asks.
Felix shrugs. “Last I heard, the girl retracted her statement and everyone involved was given the all clear. No one mentioned it after that.”
Did she withdraw her statement because she was lying? Or because someone made her take it back?
I press my tongue to the back of my teeth.
“The first time I met her, the two of them were talking in the halls, and you know how chicks get when they’re around Holt. All glassy eyed like he hangs the fucking stars.”
Expressions grim, the guys nod. Anyone who plays ball is on the receiving end of extra attention here at PacNorth. Generally, unwanted attention. But Holt is also Zeta Pi on top of being a player. That fraternity is huge on campus, and unlike the rest of us outside of the Greeks, Zeta Pi enjoys the attention they receive.
“Cecilia wasn’t like that. She was withdrawn. Eyes wide like she was ready to bolt. I remember thinking it was weird, butthen I got a good look at her and realized who she was and—” I bite off my words.Shit.I switch directions hoping neither of them notice.
“I’ll get her to confirm it before I do anything,” I promise. “I might be pissed at the fucker after practice today, but I won’t dive into this shit blind.” No matter how bad I want to.
“Didn’t you only just meet her then?” Julio asks, not missing a beat.
I huff out a breath and consider lying before thinking better of it. "Sort of,” I hedge.
Felix’s brows pull together. “What are you not telling us?”
Fuck. I stare out at the field, not seeing a way around this before scrubbing a hand over my face. “To the grave. You feel me?”
Both guys draw an X over their chest like we would do when we were kids. I know they’re not the type to run their mouths, but telling them her business feels like a betrayal. One I hope she’ll forgive me for.
“Cecilia is the girl I found. The one from the locker room.” I wait for my words to sink in. “That’s why I recognized her that day.”
It only takes a few seconds for it all to click. Felix’s eyes widen and Julio’s jaw clenches tight, the veins on his tattooed neck standing out against his inked skin.
“Is that why she did it…” He trails off. There’s no judgment in Julio’s words, but his expression is visibly strained. His jaw is tight, eyes narrow. “Is that why you’ve been a mess lately?”
I decide to ignore the second half of his question.
I don’t know if she tried to kill herself because of Holt and his buddies. For all I know, we’re heading down a completely wrong train of thought. But if Holt or anyone else did touch her, or force themselves on her, it might be exactly the sort of thing to lead her to make the decision she made that day.
A sick feeling twists in my gut.
“When she walked away, Holt told me she was easy. That he and his buddies passed her around at some Zeta Pi party and she was bitter none of the guys were interested in more.” I hang my head. “He fed me bullshit about her, planted all the right seeds that would normally keep me far away. But since …” I grind my teeth together.
“You’re invested because of the suicide?” Julio guesses. “That’s why you gave her a second look instead of staying away?”
“I don’t want her to end up like Carlos,” I admit.
“You can’t put that shit on yourself, man,” Felix interjects. “You know it wasn’t your fault.” It doesn’t matter how many times they say it. Shit never rings true for me.
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I tell him. “I’ve gotten to know her. Cecilia doesn’t fit the person Holt tries to paint her out to be.” Old social media posts suggest she was outgoing before. Had more friends. But she didn’t have a reputation for screwing around or attaching herself to players. Holt fed me his bullshit and I fell right into it.
Felix whistles and rocks back on his heels. “So, what’s the plan?” There’s a glint in his eyes and I can only imagine what’s swirling around in that beautiful, twisted mind of his. Sometimes the shit he comes up with is scary. I’m not so sure I even want to know. With our luck, it’s the sort of plan that will land our asses in hot water. Felix is always one for dramatics. In his head, the higher the risk, the better the reward. But I’m not going to fuck around here. We don’t have time for games. Not when it comes to Cecilia. And none of our asses can afford to get caught. Something Felix rarely takes into consideration when plotting his schemes.
I turn to look over at Cecilia. She’s still pale. Chest rising and falling faster than it should be. But she looks better than she did a few minutes ago.
“I don’t know,” I tell him. “But if Holt hurt her, or if he’s protecting the asshole who did, I’m going to make them pay.”
