My jaw clenched to keep from spewing the angry response running through my head. I knew what he wanted to hear from me. Coach was big on shows of loyalty, but I wouldn’t give up Nadia. Not even for this. I needed to plead my case in a way he’d understand.

I took a slow breath, then tried not to burn any bridges. “You’re right. Parker’s shown a lot of talent, and he doesn’t have a piece of ass getting in the way, but—”

A soft gasp interrupted my argument, and Coach’s eyes flicked past me to the open door. I spun around, catching a glimpse of long dark hair slipping away. It didn’t matter how quickly she’d run—I’d recognize Nadia anywhere.

What had she been doing here?

I cursed as I gathered my duffel. Coach’s mouth pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t stop me from rushing after her.

“Nadia!” I yelled down the hallway, but there was no sign of her.

My shouts echoed back to me in the empty building. I stopped running blindly and tried to figure out where she’d go. Her apartment was on the other side of the university, but if she was running, she’d want somewhere closer.

I pushed through the main doors of the building into the twilight and looked around at the bustling campus. Nadia didn’t really have friends other than Pantsy. She wasn’t even close with Abbey, and I definitely couldn’t see her running to either of them while hurt.

Just in case, I texted Abbey. She responded right away to say that Nadia wasn’t at the apartment.

Where else would she go?

I ran my hand through my hair and considered calling Soren for help. He’d give me shit, but he’d probably call the rest of our group for backup. My hand fell back to my side as I realized I’d missed one of Nadia’s friends.

Eva. Her place was close.

I ran the four blocks to her building, then up two flights of stairs when the elevator took too long. My heart thundered in my ears as I pounded on the door.

“Eva, let me in. I need to talk to her.”

Someone shuffled on the other side, and the door cracked open to reveal Eva’s pissed off face. “She doesn’t want to see you.”

I sighed in relief at the confirmation. “You have to let me in.”

My former friend raised one brow and tried to slam the door in my face. I caught the edge and shouldered my way into the gap. Eva rolled her eyes and kept her weight against the other side.

“Em, I know you can hear me. Please just listen.”

“Go away, Derrick.” Her watery voice reached me, but I couldn’t see her in Eva’s living room.