Page 129 of Triple Play
“Miss Hart, this is Senator Dickson. Jordie’s father. I’ve been made aware of the situation and I’ve placed a call to the university president. This is—well, it’s unorthodox, but my son is happy. And that matters more than politics or optics or whatever the hell else people are worried about. Call him back. He’s worried about you.”
I play it again just to make sure I heard right.
Jordie’s dad—the man who wanted him in law school, who cares about optics and campaigns and legacy—just called the university president. For us.
“Did you hear that?” I look at Teddy.
“I heard it.”
“His dad. His dad called.”
“Sounds like you’ve got some people in your corner.”
The sixteenth voicemail is from Carol. The housing administrator.
“Miss Hart. I—this isn’t official, understand? But I wanted you to know that the four of you aren’t being evicted. Dean Morrison has agreed to let you stay in the townhouse under certain conditions. Counseling, community service, and—well,you’ll get the formal email. But I wanted you to hear it from me first. You’re not losing your housing.”
I sit down hard on Teddy’s couch.
“We’re not being evicted.”
“That’s good, right?”
“That’s—I don’t know what that is.”
My laptop dings again. This time it’s the campus newspaper website refreshing with a new article.
HOCKEY TEAM DIVIDED OVER CAPTAIN’S RELATIONSHIP
I click it even though I know I shouldn’t.
Sources within the Crestmont hockey team reveal a split over Captain Grant Wilder’s unconventional relationship. “Some guys think it’s a distraction,” one anonymous player stated. “We’re in the middle of playoffs and all anyone wants to talk about is who he’s sleeping with.”
However, others have rallied in support. “Grant’s personal life is his business,” said junior defenseman Pierce Thompson. “He’s the best captain we’ve had in years. That doesn’t change because he’s in love.”
The team will vote tonight on whether Wilder retains his captaincy.
“They’re voting on whether to keep him as captain.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
I’m already grabbing my jacket.
“Where are you going?”
“Where do you think?”
“Ellie—”
“I’m not letting him face this alone. I’m not letting any of them face this alone.” I’m shoving my feet into my shoes. “This is my fault. If I hadn’t—if we hadn’t—”
“Stop.” Teddy’s in front of me now. “This isn’t your fault. This is the fault of whoever took those photos and sent them to the press. This is the fault of a society that can’t handle people loving outside the lines. But it’s not your fault for falling in love.”
“Johns Hopkins doesn’t see it that way.”
“Then screw Johns Hopkins.”
