Page 78 of Cheap Shot

I stepped around her and took off through the backdoor. I ran out and looked around. I didn’t know what that monster looked like, but I didn’t see anyone around. He was smart enough to leave before he got caught.

I didn’t want to leave Haley alone for a second longer, so I hurried back inside and took her into my arms.

“He’s gone.” I ran my hand gently over the back of her head while cradling her body against mine.

That seemed to break the dam that had been keeping her emotions at bay. She crumpled, and I caught her, holding her up as she broke in my arms.

Her wracking sobs split my heart wide open.

I was going to find that sorry excuse for a man and make him pay for everything he’d done.

“I’ve got you, baby. You’re safe now,” I whispered as I slowly led her to the closest open doorway, the training room, and flipped on the light. I situated her onto one of the massage tables but never released her. Not that her grip would have allowed that.

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and sent a text to Ethan, telling him to come back to the arena. Haley needed both of us, whether or not he could stand to be in the same room as me.

“Haley, will you let me call campus security? We need to report this.”

She sniffed and looked up at me with empty eyes. “Will it even matter? I made it an anonymous call when I told them he drugged me.”

“Yes, it matters. He assaulted you and left marks.” I held up her wrists, and in the brighter lighting, it was even easier to see the beginnings of bruising.

Her eyes remained on the space between us, not really seeing.

“Is it okay if I call?” I wasn’t going to force her to do anything, even if I really wanted to end this.

She nodded once, and I took out my phone and pressed on the number I saved in my phone after the night I brought her home from the party. I wished back then I would never have to use it again, but I’d had a feeling.

“West Penn campus security,” a male voice answered.

“My friend was just assaulted. We’re in the ice arena.”

“Is your friend breathing?”

“Yes, she is awake and sitting up.”

“We’re sending over officers now. Where in the ice arena are you?” he asked.

“In the training room closest to the back entrance.”

“They’re three minutes out. If possible, listen for them and call out to help them find you.”

“Thanks, I will.” I hung up so I could focus on Haley. “They’re coming now.”

I wanted to ask what happened so I could help her when the officers got here, but I didn’t want her to have to relive the experience twice. All I could do right now was hold her and make sure she knew she wasn’t alone.

“Haley?” Ethan’s voice called out.

“In the training room,” I yelled out and seconds later he came barreling into the room. He froze when he saw us, his eyes narrowing on me.

“What the hell happened?”

Her eyes flicked up to his. “He assaulted me.”

Rage washed over his features in a flash. “You!”

He flew across the room, arm aimed at my face. I didn’t think I’d be able to stop him in that state, but Haley circled her arms around me and buried her face in my chest. Ethan wavered and froze inches from me.

“What?” He looked from his sister to me.