Page 24 of Forever Cursed

“All right, let’s get this over with.” Bradson strolls into the room.

His gray hair is neatly trimmed, his eyes are dark, and while his features are stiff and stern, he is someone you can trust and go to about anything. Coach used to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, the same team I’ve had my eyes on since high school. After retiring from the field, he came to Castle Brook and has led this team to multiple playoffs and bowl games. I’ve been to a couple myself. We just haven’t won one.

“I’m not going to go on about mental health and the rising depression statistics in men.”

Multiple guys start to chuckle, which only makes Bradson more irritated.

“Silence! This is serious. Life is cruel, and I’m willing to bet that more than half of you in this room have felt some form of anxiety or depression at one point in your lives.”

The room falls silent again. We’re all itching to know what he’ll tell us next.

“The head of the Psychology Department and I are joining forces this year. She has a mentorship program, and I volunteered the team to participate. There are seventy of you here, and she has seventy participating seniors who will treat you like guinea pigs. They will evaluate your psyche and help you discover ways to cope with anxiety, burnout, and depression. You will be respectful and take this opportunity seriously.”

“What if we don’t want our brains poked and prodded?” a senior-level player asks.

“If you don’t want to help yourselves with this opportunity, I’ll simply bench you and let one of the freshman players take your position. How does that sound, Everson?” The coach isn’t putting up with anyone’s bullshit.

Malik chuckles quietly beside me, and I glare over at him. “Isn’t that blonde from the pool party a psych major?”

Fuck, he’s right. Not only is she a psychology major, but she’s also good at what she does. In one conversation, I almost spilled all my secrets to her. I wanted to share my past because she made me feel safe. I could tell she cared, and I knew she wouldn’t have judged me if I told her. Even after the moment in the bathroom, I still find myself drawn to her. I’ve been going to Ash’s almost every day, hoping to run into her. But every time she’s there, we’ve avoided one another. And as much as it hurts, I know right now it’s necessary.

“She is. Why does that matter?” I ask, noting the grit in my tone.

Stretching his arms out and sighing, he smirks at me. “If I see her, I’m making it my personal mission to partner up with her. You had fun. Now it’s my turn.”

“Now, get the fuck out of here and drink some water. I’ll see everyone here tomorrow for the meet and greet,” Coach states.

As everyone starts to stand, Malik firmly squeezes my shoulder. “See you tomorrow, Carter.”

My fingernails dig into my palm. If Malik thinks he’ll breathe the same air as Chrissy, he’s wrong. I’ll do everything possible to ensure she doesn’t get paired with him. Even if it means I’m the one she ends up evaluating.

Chapter Fourteen

Chrissy

“What am I going to do?!” I ask while throwing Ash’s bedroom door open. “Oh, it’s you.” The disappointment is blatant in my tone.

“Nice to see you too,” Ash chuckles while closing his book.

“Where’s Gwen? Oh, shit. Did I walk in on something nasty? I should’ve knocked.” I backtrack out of the room.

“She has a shift at Tea and Kittens.”

Popping my head back inside, I can practically see the wheels turning in Ash’s head. “What the hell would we be up to? I’m reading a book.”

“I don’t know and don’t want to know.” I throw my hands in the air.

“What are you going to do about what?” Ash asks, returning to my first question.

“Uhh—”

Shit, do I tell him? Does he know? Can he keep a secret?

“Does this have anything to do with Rome?”

“Damn, you’re smarter than you look,” I say without thinking.

“Thanks?”

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