“Are you sure?” Becks asks again.
“I’m sure.”
I finally convince them to leave, but the further away they get, the tighter an invisible pressure cinches around my torso, reminding me a lot of that fucking straitjacket.
Imarch down to Officer Carter’s office. I doubt he’ll see me, he’s probably gone to bed, but the least he can do is let me know what the restriction is and who put it there.
“Come in.”
Okay, another little plot twist tonight. I head inside, too aware that I’m not in uniform.
“Cadet R. Savage, can I help you?”
“I was on my way out tonight after the hockey game, sir, but there’s a restriction on my name. Any chance you’d tell me why?”
His forehead creases. “I didn’t put a restriction on your account. I’ll take a look.”
“You will, sir?”
“Yes. Have a seat if you like.”
“I’m alright standing, sir.”
Wow, this is almost nice for him. Is it possible he feels bad for being a dick? Maybe he just actually loves this collegethatmuch, and this Tate thing has him scared.
“Hmmm, yes. It appears that you do have a restriction. It was put there by the dean.”
Fuck. I rub a hand over my face. “Does it say why?”
“Does it say why,sir,” he corrects me. “You’re already pushing your luck with those clothes.”
“I apologize, sir. I was on my way to the hockey wrap-up.”
“Mm-hmm. It doesn’t say why it’s there but looks like it’s in place for the rest of term.”
My heart fucking sinks. “The rest of term? Sir,” I add when he raises a brow.
“That’s what it looks like. I’ll speak to the dean in the morning.” He stresses thein the morningpart.
Once I’m back in my room, I call Tate, because this is fucking fishy, and tell him everything.
“Hmmm, maybe the dean liked me more than I thought he did,” Tate says. “A clear gesture of friendship.”
“Tate.”
“I hated the idea of you out at some restaurant without me.”
“He didn’t do it for you.”
“You don’t know that.”
“He doesn’t know we’re together.”
“Fine, but I appreciate it anyway.”
“I don’t. It means I’m stuck here. I won’t be able to see you either.”
Tate laughs. It’s almost an evil cackle. “Oh, dollface. I’ll tear that college down brick by brick if I have to, just to see you. I’m not worried about that.”
