Was that the case with Luke? Or had I ignored the red flags from the start? As a freshman, I’d been inexperienced and naïve; starstruck at the idea of being pursued by a hot, popular hockey player. Looking back, I recognized a lot of little warning signs. Some not-so-little ones too.

She shrugged, dropping her gaze. Starting over like that would have to be difficult, especially in a brand-new city. If I didn’t have Zara and Noelle, I would be adrift socially right now too. Heck, I still kind of was.

“How has it been at Boyd so far? I hear good things about it.”

“A little tough. Most orientation stuff is geared toward freshman. They pretty much expect sophomores to be settled in already.”

“It’s still early in the semester,” I said. “I’m sure it’ll get better once you start doing more group projects and that kind of thing.”

“I hope so.” She sighed, tucking a lock of raven hair behind her ear. “I met Dallas at the gym over the summer. But it’s been hard to meet other girls. Most of the guys on the team don’t have girlfriends, either.”

A pang of sympathy hit me, because I knew all too well what it felt like to be on the periphery. “We should go for lunch sometime.”

“Yeah?” Siobhan’s face brightened. “I’d love that.”

“James,” Chase’s voice rang out. It was low, commanding, gruff.

Siobhan froze. Her questioning look probably mirrored mine. I’d never heard him use that tone before, especially not toward me. Heavy steps echoed from the hallway.

He barreled into the room, eyes zeroing in on me as he closed the distance between us.

“Sorry, Shiv, I need to borrow her for a sec.”

“No worries,” she said, standing up. “I’m going to go beat Dal at beer pong.”

Chase took me by the elbow, ushering me through an archway into the dark, empty dining room. He shoved his phone into my hands and leaned against the table, watching me expectantly.

I looked up at him, scanning his face. “What is it?”

“Are you aware of what fuckface is saying about you?” He nodded at the lit-up screen, his jaw tight.

Brow furrowed, I studied the display. Then I blinked slowly, processing what I’d just read. It was a screenshot of a text from Luke, claiming that he was still hooking up with me on the side. Specifically, calling me his “side piece.”

That lying asshole.

My teeth set on edge. “Where did you get this?”

“We aren’t all enemies,” he said. “And not everyone on your team likes their captain.”

“Like who?”

He shrugged. “Palmer, Reed. I played minor hockey with them. And they can’t stand Morrison.”

“Oh,” I said. “I had no idea.”