Page 75 of Play Maker

“I don’t need your opinion, Axel. I’m calling to give you a heads-up. We need this deal to close. We need it. So, should you be approached by anyone, a journalist for example, you keep your mouth shut, understood? And for fuck’s sake, don’t create any college scandals.”

“First off, journalists don’t ever approach me. Our family isn’t that important, it’s just your ego talking. And I’m not theone who’s in danger of causing a scandal, like being arrested for possession, or caught out for fucking someone’s husband.”

“I’m warning you to keep quiet,” she replied sharply. “And Jonas is under control. He’ll be fine. As long as he has the drugs that he needs, he’ll be fine.”

I couldn’t take any more of this conversation.

“I have to go.”

“Have you heard from Preston lately?” she asked.

The mention of his name made my stomach roil again.

“No, why?”

“Just curious.”

She wouldn’t have mentioned him for no reason. But I was too tired to care at this point. And if she wasn’t going to offer any more details, I didn’t give a fuck. I had to call him back anyway. I wanted to hear what Preston had to say and if he’d continue to lie to me, because yes, I was certain now that he’d been lying. That wasn’t just my dick talking. The uneasy feeling I’d had recently about Preston only grew stronger as the distance between us grew wider.

“I have to go,” I repeated and hung up.

I wanted to scream, loudly, after that conversation but settled for a cigarette instead. I wasn’t supposed to smoke in my room, so I opened a window and figured it didn’t count. When my anxiety calmed and my head started to clear, I stalked to the bathroom to rinse the tobacco from my breath, showered, and shaved.

An hour later, I headed for the cafeteria for breakfast and lunch, ate my weight in eggs, roasted chicken, and potatoes, and downed two iced coffees. Feeling better, but not great, I picked up my phone and texted Jace. Maybe he wanted to avoid me now, but we weren’t going to go down that road again.

Axel: Are you busy?

Jace: I’m at the library.

Axel: Can I meet you there?

Jace: Sure. Third floor, I’m at a table near the front windows.

Axel: See you soon.

I thought about that guy at the party, Lorquin, and what he said about Preston. It confirmed what my gut was telling me.

I sent another text, this one to Preston.

Axel: I know the truth, but I want to hear it from you. Call me ASAP.

CHAPTER 24

JACE

Ilooked around the third floor for the hundredth time, waiting for Axel to arrive. I was so nervous I kept tapping my stylus on the table, until another student gave me a warning glare.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

This wasn’t like me. It was that damn text from Preston. I’d refused to even look at it, blocking him as soon as I saw his name. Fucker.

“Hey.”

I jumped, turning around to find Axel standing with his backpack in hand, a sullen look on his face. Or, was he sad? He looked as upset as I felt.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

He stared at me, silent for a beat. “Never mind me, what’s up with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Did something happen?”

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