Chapter 124: The Wrong Enemy

Theo’s POV

"Hold still," the nurse muttered, pressing another cold cotton pad directly against my split lip. The stinging cut burned every time I opened my mouth.

"You started that fight, Mercer," she said, shaking her head.

"No," I muttered through my teeth, flinching. "I finished it."

She rolled her eyes, taping a small bandage over the cut. "You're lucky it's only a deep split. Go back to the booths and stay out of trouble."

Five minutes later, I stepped back out into the fundraiser with an ice pack pressed tightly against my sore mouth. The crowd was still murmuring about the massive brawl, and broken holiday decorations were being cleared away. That was when I saw Daphne walking away from Asher.

She looked small, her shoulders tense under her winter coat. A heavy wave of guilt hit my stomach. Daphne had been one of my closest friends for years, and I had completely embarrassed her in front of the entire town.

"Nice job, Mercer," I whispered to myself, watching Asher disappear into the crowd. "You really screwed that up."

I expected her to never look at me again. Instead, Daphne adjusted her winter hat and walked straight toward the quiet space behind the skating rink booth where I was standing.

She stopped a few feet away, her eyes still red from crying. "Theo... can we talk?"

An awkward silence stretched between us. The upbeat Christmas music playing from the town square speakers sounded completely out of place. I lowered the ice pack, looking down at the packed snow on my boots because I couldn't face her. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Daph."

She looked at me but didn't answer right away.

"I really don't like Cassian," I continued, desperate to make her understand. "After everything that happened with Asher... after blaming Asher for destroying throne gears ... I just totally lost it. You could have told us."

Daphne let out a long, shaky sigh, her breath turning into a white cloud. "I wanted to."

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because I knew exactly how everyone would react," she said, her eyes locked straight onto mine.

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words died in my throat. I slowly closed it and looked away. "...Okay. Maybe you're right."

The thick tension finally started to clear, and a small, familiar smirk broke across my lips. "Forget that. It's your life. But seriously, Daph. You used to avoid Cassian like he carried the literal plague."

Daphne laughed despite herself, a small, genuine smile appearing on her face. "I know, I know."

"You absolutely hated him," I said, leaning my shoulder against the frame of the booth. "So... when did this happen?"

"Summer break," she said, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "You only know the Cassian everyone is afraid of, Theo. I know the one who remembers how I take my coffee."

I rolled my eyes playfully, but inside, I was just glad she was smiling again. We talked for a few more minutes about how she had managed to keep the secret. It felt good to just be a curious friend, away from the toxic weight of everything. Once our conversation finished, she gave me a quiet, grateful nod and walked back toward the main path to find Cassian.

I watched her go, the smile slowly leaving my face as the cold air settled around me.

"Yo, Mercer."

I turned my head. Silas and Barrett were walking toward me from the equipment tents. Silas whistled loudly when he saw the bandage on my mouth.

"Man... what happened to your lip?" Silas asked, leaning lazily against the wooden counter.

I let out a dry laugh. "Your old team hits like trucks."

Barrett, standing quietly behind him, only gave a single, slow nod of agreement. He remained a quiet observer, his arms crossed over his varsity jacket.

I shook my head, shifting the ice pack in my hand. "Yeah. Your former team is ruthless. I wouldn't survive a day over there."

Silas studied my face for a moment, his casual smile slowly disappearing. "It's been a long day, Mercer. So... about that picture you sent me."

I straightened up, the light mood completely vanishing. "You know something?"

Silas glanced around to make sure the nearby volunteers were out of earshot. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low whisper. "Let's just say... your lover knows a lot more than he pretends."

My chest tightened, my pulse beginning to hammer against my ribs. "What does that mean, Silas? Asher is innocent."

Silas let out a cold, sharp chuckle. "The secret betting app that conned us out of our cash at that big game? The system isn't running right now because somebody completely locked it from the inside."

"What does that have to do with me?" I asked, my voice rising slightly.

"Everything," Silas whispered, his face inches from mine. "Ask yourself why someone would rather destroy the app than let people open it."

I went completely silent, the freezing air filling my lungs as my mind raced through the possibilities.

Silas continued, a slow smirk spreading across his lips. "Find the password before Asher finally destroys the app you don't... want your dirty secrets exposed all over Crestwood. He leaned back, his eyes narrowing into sharp, ambitious slits. "Your lover won't be the one paying the ultimate price."

He turned on his heel and walked away toward the exit gates, with Barrett following silently right behind him. I stood frozen in the cold shadows of the booth, my breath catching as a terrifying sense of danger

settled heavily over my mind.