Page 164 of Breakaway Hearts

The way I see it, we can come over with tea and sympathy (and ice cream), go day drinking, or punch some things.

Bree

Isn’t that what got us in trouble?

Sav

Us?

Bree

In solidarity with Maddie, who aligned herself with them.

Me

I vote punch things.

Sav

Yay!

After kickboxing up enough endorphins, I brave campus for the shortcut to get home.

I’m almost through without anyone recognizing me –thank God for winter coats—when I nearly walk right into Dr. Kapoor.

“I’m sorry, I…Miss Finch.” He shakes his head like he doesn’t know what to say.

“I take it you heard about the game?” I put on my best smile.

“I am so sorry, Madison.”

“It’s okay.”

He doesn’t hide that he doesn’t believe me as much as he does during our sessions.

“I mean, it’s not, but I am? Or I’m getting there. Definitely not cured, so don’t cancel my appointment, but I’m working on everything you said. Analyzing my fears, communicating my needs…I told my closest friends about Trevor.” I realize I’m turning this into a therapy session when it’s cold and he’s clearly on his way somewhere. “I’m sorry, I’ll tell you all about it on Tuesday,” I assure him.

“No, I…I’m proud of you Madison. I was worried you not being there at 7:30 this morning meant you were taking it worse than I expected, but you look…like you’re not failing therapy.”

“Thank you, Dr. Kapoor.”

“I’ll see you on Tuesday, Miss Finch.”

Owen texted to tell me he’s not playing today, but didn’t really answer my follow up questions, except for the first one, where he told me none of it was in any way my fault, and he loves me. Jason says he’s been without his phone all day helping Ben, their equipment manager, which sounds like another punishment to me.

I spend most of the game watching Owen on the bench, looking stoic and miserable. Honestly, the rest of the team isn’t doing any better. The second Michael walked out with the C on his jersey, the energy shifted and it was like they were back to the beginning of the season, when all the team mojo was off. Even Jason is letting in goals he definitely should have stopped.

“My dad says Owen won’t tell anyone why he started the fight,” Tabytha shares at the second intermission. I think she’s trying to reassure me, but all I feel is guilt.

“Will that affect his draft status?”

“LA asked to see him when we go home next week. But I think they saw him last year too,” she says quickly after seeing the look on my face.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Savannah assures me. “But either way, his actions aren’t on you.”

I think she believes it, isn’t just saying it to make me feel better, but I don’t. Owen’s silence is to protect me. He’s risking his career to keep my secret.

“He’s a big boy who makes his own decisions,” Tab agrees with Sav. “He also told my dad not to send Haylie, who could have worked magic even without knowing what happened.”