Page 65 of Forever Cursed

“Coffee, tea, muffins, whatever you two want, it’s on me. Can I text Ash?” She asks as she fumbles for her phone.

“Go ahead, but let me talk to Zack before you do.”

“Easy. Oh my god, he’s going to flip!” Gwen leaps out of the booth and starts to text the love of her life.

I reach for my own phone and send a quick message, thanking the man who is not only the reason I’m smiling so much but also the reason I’m pleasantly sore.

I’ve ended up on the floor, letting a group of kittens tangle themselves in my hair and stomp all over my stomach. I bring my phone to my face and check the time: 5:00 p.m. on the dot. This isn’t like him. He knew we were supposed to meet almost an hour and a half ago. Where the hell is he? I open my messages and the last three I sent are still unanswered.

This is a friendly reminder that you are ten minutes late to your appointment. Where are you, Captain?

This is a not-so-friendly reminder that you are forty-five minutes late. Where are you? Are you okay?

Rome Carter, where the fuck are you?! I’ve been waiting for an hour now.

So, I send one final message.

I’m really worried. Please tell me you’re okay. I promise I won’t get mad.

Dropping my arms, I cradle my device while a cat licks my cheek. It is hot today; did he faint from dehydration? Did he succumb to heat stroke? Fuck, did someone tackle him the wrong way, and he’s currently lying in a hospital bed with a multitude of broken bones... or worse, in a coma?

I sit straight up. Worst-case scenarios are running rampant through my mind, and they won’t stop.

As I scramble to my feet, I gather my notebook and bag. “Gwen, I’m going to the sports center. If Rome shows up, tell him to call me.”

I storm out the door before she can respond.

The sun has set, cooling the air to a still-warm seventy-nine degrees. The humidity is still thick, but I’m not soaked with perspiration when I push open the doors and strut down the hall. I aim for the locker room, and without a care, I open the door and make my presence known.

“Y’all better be dressed in here because I’m coming in!” When I round the bend, I don’t see Rome or anyone who can help me find him.

“Where the fuck are you?” I whisper.

A door near the back opens, and voices spill into the locker room. I walk toward them without a second thought.

“Here you go, Coach. I went over the plays and made some suggestions I think will be useful.”

My upper lip twitches at the sound of his voice. He’s the last person I want to see.

“You’re an hour late in getting these me to,” Coach Bradson lectures.

“Sorry, I was showing a rookie how I go over the plays. He wanted to learn.”

I peek around the corner and see Coach nod in approval at Malik. “Very good. I’ll review your notes and see if I can recommend you for that position you want to get into.”

“Thanks, Coach.” Malik turns and locks his dark brown eyes on mine. Without saying anything, he winks at me, and I flip him off.

Before the coach can return to his office, I call out for him. “Coach Bradson, please wait a moment.”

His brow wrinkles when he looks at me. His messy hair is sticking up from the heat and being outside. He has kind eyes, but I know he’s stern. He seems like the kind of guy who offers tough love, but I don’t get the feeling that he’s cruel. His aura feels too warm.

“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be in here,” I start.

“Are you lost? The women’s locker room is on the other end of the hall.”

“What? No. I’m looking for Rome. Rome Carter. Do you know where he is?”

Realization hits him, and his stance softens. “You’re his psych mentor. I remember you. Good, this is good.” He looks around the room before continuing. “Something is going on between him and Malik Chen. I’m not as big of a fool as they think I am. Malik claimed Rome was sick; I can’t take those claims lightly. Not in this weather. Before I could bench him, Rome started yelling about Malik lying. The two of them clashed. I haven’t seen Rome since. I talked to Chen before he gave me this—” He gestures at the packet.

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