Page 95 of Play Maker

My mother gave a sharp inhale and my father’s face turned ruddy.

“He got arrested.”

“Arrested? For what?”

“It doesn’t matter,” my father insisted. “Just don’t talk to him, alright? If he tries to contact you, ignore him. The last thing we need is to be associated with someone like that.”

He was joking right? Preston, arrested?

“I’ve got to go,” I stated.

“The money. Tomorrow.”

I nodded at my mother’s clipped voice.

“You’ll get it within a week,” I returned and shoved my hands in my pockets. “And FYI, I’m not coming home for break or ever again. I’m done.”

“Don’t be dramatic.”

“I’ve got my own life now. I’m feeling good about myself for the first time in, well, forever. I don’t want anything from you. Nothing. And don’t even think of going near my trust fund. That’s protected.”

With that warning, I stomped off. Never mind dinner, I needed a drink. And a smoke.

The scowl on my face probably scared away half the people in the lobby, but not Jace. He just kept stalking towards me, never losing eye contact, until we met halfway. Without thinking, I reached for his hip, the touch grounding me, settling one storm inside me and unleashing another. Jace’s body stiffened in reaction.

“Shit. Sorry.”

What was I doing, touching him like that out here? I dropped my hand.

“It’s fine. Just, unexpected.”

I looked around but no one was paying us any attention.

“Hey,” Jace whispered, and I met his gaze. “Are you okay? That looked intense.”

“I’ll explain on the way to dinner.”

The rest of the guys wandered over to join us and we headed for the bus. Even the gust of frigid air as we left the rink was a relief, and I took a few deep breaths, the calm washing over me.

This time, I headed for the last seat at the back of the bus and Jace took the one beside me.

“To start, I’m going to have to find a job,” I announced.

“What?”

“I won’t have money for next year’s tuition. They’ve cut me off. Well, I have the money, but they want it back.”

“No fucking way.”

“It’s true. But I’ll be alright. I’ll find a way. And there’s more,” I paused. “Preston’s been arrested.”

Jace sat silent, staring at me with an open mouth and wide eyes.

“For what?”

“I don’t know. They wouldn’t tell me. Just that I shouldn’t contact him and with a warning to keep my mouth shut.”

“Holy shit.”

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