Page 8 of Forged By Shadows
“For both of their sakes. There’s only so many injuries I can keep up with.” Axel mutters, handing us both a towel. Due to his goal of being a sports physiotherapist, he’s the one attending to all of the sprained ankles and cramps on the court, and repercussions of the fights between the team behind closed doors. Wyatt’s a ball buster - it doesn’t always rub off well with the subs.
“You’d better keep a tighter leash on Garrett then,” I sigh. He tries to object as we re-enter the main section of the room. Wyatt is lifting Garrett’s chin, peering at him with clinical awareness.
“An oil spray, huh? I don’t know what kind of car oil can burn this way. I’ll have a doctor at the house for when we get back.” Wyatt withdraws his hand before he notices the way Garrett is leaning into his touch, seeking a trace of affection from the one man who refuses to indulge him. Axel takes that mantle most of the time, and when he’s unavailable, I draw the line at some light spooning.
Wyatt turns to the rest of us, grabbing his bag. He doesn’t bother changing since he’ll be heading to the gym and for a swim any moment now. “If he can’t play the Fresher’s Rally next weekend, we’ll have to decide which sub to train up in his place.”
“Yes boss.” Huxley grumbles, dragging his pants on. Wyatt’s eyes close briefly, a long exhale escaping him.
“Look guys,” he runs his hands through his dark hair. “I just need something to focus on. I know I’m not the easiest to live with right now. I’ll…work on it.” I nod, Axel pats his back while Garrett wraps his arms around Wyatt’s waist.
“It’s okay, Riot.” Garrett nuzzles his hip. I crack a smile at the childhood nickname, noting the tension that eases from Wyatt’s shoulders. He pries Garrett off with a soft chuckle.
“You’re lucky you’re cute.” Wyatt leaves, shaking his head at himself while Garrett lights up with reddened heart eyes. I’m pretty sure Wyatt just made his entire year. Huxley shoves my clothes into my chest, reminding me there’s a captive in the trunk we should release. I groan, explaining that she wanted to be left there. She’s got her phone, a cookie and water from lunch. She might have decided to take a nap for all I know.
The four of us head out, spotting Wyatt setting up beside the running machine, headphones on and head bopping. He loves exercise at the best of times, but it’s common knowledge Wyatt works out his stress through physical exhaustion. It’s usually around each holiday when he’s been forced to return home or every Wednesday after his mom would call. I wonder what he’ll do on those afternoons now.
Exiting the gym, Huxley stops dead. I slam into his back, quickly followed by Garrett and Axel in mine. “The fuck,” I grumble, extracting myself from the Dax sandwich I unknowingly entered into, then I see it. Huxley’s SUV, exactly where we left it, its windscreen, lights, and windows smashed in. The glossy white paint has been scratched and dented in numerous places. A crowbar I’d barely registered in the trunk has been artfully placed on the dash.
“No, no, no, no,” Huxley babbles, suddenly rushing forward and almost being run over. I wave an apology to the oncoming car, the rest of us close behind. “The tires. The leather,” Huxley whimpers from behind his hand. I stare inside at the torn material, then to the back where Avery seems to have kicked the seats out. I have to hand it to her, this goes way above passive aggressive. Peering through his sore eyes, Garrett bursts out laughing.
“Oh please, please, please let me be the one to punish her!”
“Punish who?” Wyatt’s voice says from behind, his steps slowing. We all turn in unison, side stepping as if we could block his view of the damage. “These were dropped in my bag,” he produces the SUV’s keys and throws them at Huxley. “What…the fuck happened here?”
“I… There…” I swallow hard. “I’m sure there have been reports of rabid raccoons on campus.” Huxley over-nods in agreement.
“Oh yeah, nasty buggers those things!” We both murmur words like, ‘horrid’, ‘disgusting’, but Wyatt tilts his head.
“Raccoon’s carved a giant ‘F U’ into the hood of your car?” His dark eyes settle on Huxley. I feel the moment he’s about to crack, but it’s Garrett who breaks first. Damn Wyatt and his teasing compliments.
“It was Avery! She followed and attacked me! Pepper sprayed me right on the sidewalk, I was defenseless. She must have stalked the SUV all the way here. You’re right Riot, she’s batshit crazy!” My mouth drops open and I shoot Garrett a wide-eyed look. Wyatt barely reacts, minus the vein in his temple which throbs when he’s exceedingly mad. Coolly walking over to his Nissan, his dark eyes appear black.
“I’ll handle this,” is all he says, dropping into the driver’s seat and speeding away. Both Axel and I slap the back of Garrett’s head.
“What the fuck?! What were you thinking?” I half-shout, drawing a small crowd of spectators now. Garrett has no right to look sheepish, but he does and shrugs anyway.
“Better her than us, right?” I’ve known Garrett for years, I know his mind and ways. Yet I can’t believe he’s feigning innocence in this. I grind my teeth together, taking off on foot.
“Wait, Dax,” Axel calls. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to find her before Wyatt does!” Breaking out into a full run, turbulent emotions crash within my chest. Why did it have to be her, from my English Lit class? Why couldn’t she just be a simple, nice girl? One that could have possibly been mine. Heavy pounding falls into step with mine, and I look in surprise to see Huxley at my side. “Dude, what about your car?”
“That’s Garrett’s mess to fix. When it comes to keeping Wyatt out of jail, I’m with you.” Dread drags me down, the very real possibility of what we might find setting in. Surely Wyatt wouldn’t really hurt her in all the ways he’s described. Surely it was all talk…
Chapter Five
Ihave to hand it to Garrett. The gym might actually be the best part of campus, given how good the coffee is. My vantage point from the second floor cafe is ideal for a spot of people watching over the parking lot, hidden behind the sheen of glass. The warm mug in my hands covers my smile at the view. Garrett blindly feels out the car’s door handle. Axel has taken the driver’s seat, putting the SUV into a crawl. I can imagine the grinding of alloys on tarmac as the car appears to limp down the driveway. Idiots.
No doubt Wyatt zoomed off in search of me, as if I’d be waiting somewhere obvious like a sitting duck. Instead, I’m two pain au chocolats deep and had a lovely afternoon admiring my handiwork. Bidding Ross, the barista, goodbye, I shoulder my backpack. The rest of the cafes’ visitors have opted to sit on the far side, watching out over an outside arena. I spot a vibrant red-head gliding around the track, gracefully jumping over the hurdles.
“Kay,” I smile. Making my way through the gym, inhaling the chlorine from the swimming pool, I make my way outside. It’s turned out to be a glorious day, my mood lifting with the bright sun and clear skies overhead. Kay is in her element, her eyes squarely focused on her horizon. I sit in the bleachers, watching her outrun and then overlap all others. Slowing at a gentle jog, the spell is broken and she spots me.
“Look who’s found herself in my neck of the woods,” Kay pulls out her Airpods. “You seem much happier than last night, and this morning,” she grins. I almost blush, reminded of how I complained at the early wake up as if it were her fault and not an active decision I made for myself.
“I’m caffeinated,” I answer. Kay makes an ‘ahh’ sound in understanding. Dropping down beside me, I offer her my water and she happily accepts.
“So, what’s brought you here?”
