Page 62 of Voices

“Yeah, I remember his two bags off to the side when I came to grab our food.”

“I ordered more food for him the next morning but still, I don’t think he has that much money. But then I see what Benji has and how lavish he’s living. It’s clear who’s getting money and who isn’t.”

“That’s fucked up.” Ryder scrunches his brows together. “If Benji is receiving money from their parents, so should Charlie.”

I lay back, looking up at the ceiling. “Yeah. But if you take the money issue out of it, why haven’t we met Charlie before? All those dinners and the celebration party. Everyone and their families were there. I could see if he lived far away and couldn’t make it but he literally lives on campus. He was right there this whole time.”

Ryder stands up and I hear him as he walks to the door. “I don’t know what to tell you, man. It’s a shitty thing to do but what are we supposed to do if that’s their family dynamic?”

I stay silent as I close my eyes.

Beautiful golden-brown eyes, dimples, and the sweetest smile greet me.

“I say you ignore Benji, except for on the ice, and get to know Charlie some more. You never know, maybe he’ll tell you why things are the way they are.” I can hear the smile in his voice right before he closes the door.

I sit up and decide my homework can wait until tomorrow. I grab my phone, strip to my underwear, and climb into bed. Pulling up the text thread with Charlie I see that my last text still hasn’t been read.

Please be safe at home Charlie.

I send him another message before plugging in my phone and rolling over to go to sleep.

Me: I missed you today and I hope you had a good day. Text me back when you get a chance. Good night, Beautiful.

There’s no new text waiting for me when I wake up. As I’m getting ready for class I send him another text.

Me: Good morning beautiful. I have a break from 11:30 to 12:30 for lunch. I’ll be in the cafeteria if you’d like to have lunch with me. Hope you have a great day.

He doesn’t show up for lunch.

Me: I missed you at lunch today. I hope you’re ok and just not checking your phone. I have practice tomorrow morning but I’m free after my last class at 4. LMK if you want to meet up.

Me: Good night beautiful

Me: Good morning beautiful. I know it’s early as hell, but I was hoping I’d catch you before I started practice.I guess you aren’t up this early though. I hope you have a good day.

My day goes by at a snail’s pace with no word from Charlie. But as I open my phone before going to sleep, I see that all my messages are now marked as read.

Me: Please talk to me and let me know that you’re alright.

Nothing comes. I sigh, trying not to let the frustration get to me.

Me: Good night, Charlie

“Hawkins, wake up out there!”

I just missed the third pass in a row. I can’t focus on practice no matter how hard I try. Alexander has even managed to check me into the boards and steal the puck from me.

“Hawkins, Kingston bench!” Coach Q yells.

Ryder bumps my shoulder pad with his gloved fist as we skate to the bench and the next line jumps over. I squirt my face with water and lean forward as I watch the guys fight for the puck.

“You gotta go talk to him. He’s messing with your head. Our first game of the season is tomorrow and scouts from three NHL teams will be here,” he says as we watch Matt score a goal. I nod without taking my eyes off the ice.

Benji skates by and I have half a mind to reach out and demand to know what’s going on with his brother. But if heignores him like Charlie has been ignoring me, then I’d guess he wouldn’t have any clue as to what I’m talking about.

Looks like they share that wonderful trait.

“Cap, let’s go!” Ryder jumps over the boards skating to our defensive spots.

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