Chapter 237 Rumors Die Hard, But They Die

Chapter 237 Rumors Die Hard, But They Die
POV: Silver Preston
Two weeks later, I walk across campus without anyone whispering.
It is strange. Disorienting. For months, I felt eyes on me everywhere. Heard my name in hushed conversations. Saw screenshots and speculation on every phone screen I passed.
Now? Nothing.
Students rush past focused on midterms and spring break plans. The dining hall buzzes with normal chatter. The library is full of people who do not even glance up when I walk by.
It is like I have become invisible again.
"Weird, right?" Americus says, falling into step beside me. "The speed at which campus moves on."
"I'm not complaining."
"You should be celebrating. Two weeks ago, you were public enemy number one. Now you're just another student." She grins. "That's what happens when the real villain gets exposed."
Carroway is gone. Actually gone.
The legal papers were filed last Monday. Defamation. Fraud. Conspiracy. A laundry list of charges that Eli's lawyers had meticulously documented.
Carroway withdrew from Yale within forty-eight hours. Did not even pack his dorm room properly. Just disappeared.
The campus blog that published half the gossip about me issued a retraction and apology. Something about unverified sources and journalistic standards.
Bianca Mitchelle has gone quiet too. No more anonymous texts. No more threats. Her family's lawyers apparently advised complete silence while they figure out their own liability.
"Have you heard from her?" I ask.
"Bianca? No. But I've been monitoring her social media. She's been posting from her parents' house in Connecticut. Lots of cryptic quotes about overcoming adversity and staying strong. It's pathetic." Americus pulls out her phone. "Want to see?"
"No." I do not need that negativity.
We walk past a group of hockey players. One of them nods at me. Actually nods. Respectfully.
"The team's warming up to you," Americus observes.
"Now that they know I wasn't the reason for their losing streak."
"Now that they know their captain was dealing with actual criminal harassment and still managed to show up." Her voice is proud. "Eli told them everything last week. About Carroway. About Bianca. About why he'd been distracted."
I had been there for that team meeting. Eli asked me to come. He stood in front of his teammates and explained the whole situation. Apologized for not being upfront earlier. Took responsibility for letting personal issues affect his game.
The team had been stunned. Then supportive. Then angry on his behalf.
Liam had said, "Why didn't you tell us sooner? We could have helped."
Eli looked at me when he answered.
"I'm learning that trying to handle everything alone doesn't work."
That has been the theme of the past two weeks. Learning. Adjusting. Figuring out how to actually be together without all the secrets and fears.
It is not perfect. We still fight sometimes. Still have moments where Eli's protective instincts clash with my need for independence.
But we are trying. Really trying.
"You seeing him today?" Americus asks.
"Later. He has practice until six." I check my phone. "Then we're getting dinner."
"Look at you. Having normal relationship things. Dinner dates. Public outings." She bumps my shoulder. "It's almost boring."
"Boring is good. Boring is what I need right now."
We reach the athletic complex. I have physical therapy in twenty minutes. My knee is actually improving. Slowly, but definitely improving.
"I'll see you back at the dorm," I say.
"Text me if you need anything. Or if Eli does something stupidly romantic. I need content for my mental scrapbook of your love story."
I laugh and head inside.
The physical therapy session is brutal. My therapist, Dr. Chen, is relentless about pushing my limits.
"Good," she says as I complete another set of exercises. "Your range of motion is improving. How's the pain?"
"Manageable."
"And you're not overdoing it? Not trying to rush back to competitive skating before you're ready?"
"No. I'm listening to my body." I wipe sweat from my forehead. "My mom keeps calling and asking when I'm going to start training seriously again. I keep ignoring her."
"Good." Dr. Chen makes notes on her tablet. "Your recovery has to be for you. Not for her expectations."
"I know."
But knowing and doing are different things. My mother has called six times this week. Each voicemail progressively more demanding. More disappointed.
I have stopped listening to them.
After therapy, I shower in the locker room and head back across campus. My phone buzzes.
Riley: Movie night tonight? Maya's ordering pizza.
Silver: Can't. Have plans with Eli.
Riley: Bring him! It's just the dorm room.
Silver: I'll ask.
I text Eli: Riley wants to know if you want to come to movie night after dinner. No pressure.
No response. He is probably still at practice.
I walk through the quad, enjoying the late February sunshine. Spring is coming. I can feel it in the air. That subtle shift from brutal cold to merely cold.
Students sit on the steps of Sterling Library. A couple throws a frisbee on the green. Everything feels normal. Peaceful.
My phone buzzes again. Not Eli.
Jordan: Hey, heard the good news about Carroway. That's justice. You okay?
Silver: Yeah. Better than okay actually.
Jordan: Good. You deserve some peace. Let me know if you need anything.
I smile at the message. Jordan has been surprisingly supportive through everything. Never judged. Never asked invasive questions. Just checked in.
Another buzz. My dad.
Dad: Your mother told me you're ignoring her calls. I understand why. But maybe send her a text so she knows you're alive? She's driving me crazy.
I sigh. Type back: I'm alive. Tell her I'll call when I'm ready. Which might be never.
Dad: Fair enough. Love you, kiddo.
Dad: Also proud of you. For standing up to her. For choosing yourself.
I feel tears prick my eyes. He rarely says things like that.
Silver: Love you too.
Back at the dorm, Americus is organizing something on her laptop. Multiple windows open. That focused expression she gets when she is plotting.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"Research."
"For what?"
"Your comeback." She looks up. "You're going to skate again. Maybe not competitively right away, but you're going to get back on the ice properly. And when you do, I want to make sure it's documented. Photographed. Maybe even filmed."
"That's presumptuous."
"That's preparation." She grins. "You're Silver Preston. The world needs to see you're not done."
I do not argue. Because part of me is starting to believe it. Starting to think maybe I could skate again. For myself this time. Not for medals or rankings or my mother's approval.
Just for the pure joy of it.
My phone buzzes. Finally, Eli.
Eli: Practice ran late. Coach wants to meet with me after. Probably going to be another hour. Rain check on dinner?
Silver: No problem. Want to just come to movie night at my dorm instead?
Eli: Sounds good. I'll text when I'm done with Coach.
Silver: Everything okay?
Eli: Yeah. Just team stuff. Nothing to worry about.
I stare at that message. Nothing to worry about. The phrase Eli uses when he is definitely worried but does not want me to be.
"What?" Americus notices my expression.
"Eli's meeting with Coach Morrison. Says it's nothing to worry about."
"Which means something's wrong." She pulls up her tracking programs. "Want me to--"
"No." I stop her. "No more spying. If something's wrong, he'll tell me."
"Will he though? Or will he try to protect you from it?"
"He'll tell me. We agreed. No more secrets."
Americus looks skeptical but closes her laptop.
An hour passes. Then two.
Riley and Maya come back with pizza. Set up the movie. Wait for Eli.
I text him: everything okay? Movie's about to start.
No response.
Fifteen minutes later: Eli?
Still nothing.
"Maybe his phone died," Riley suggests.
"Maybe." But my stomach is twisting. Something feels wrong.
I text Liam: Is Eli still at practice?
Liam: No. Practice ended two hours ago. He left with Coach. Haven't seen him since.
I stand up.
"Something's wrong."
"He's probably fine," Maya says. "Maybe the meeting with Coach is just running long."
"For two hours? Without texting me back?"
Americus is already on her laptop.
"I'm tracking his phone."
"I thought we weren't--"
"Emergency exception." She types rapidly. "Okay. His phone is off. Or dead. Last location was the rink."
I grab my coat.
"I'm going over there."
"I'll come with you," Americus says.
We hurry across campus. The sun is setting now. Campus lights flickering on. Ingalls looms ahead.
Inside, the building is mostly empty. A few maintenance workers. No sign of Eli or Coach Morrison.
I find a staff member.
"Have you seen Eli Hayes?"
"The captain? Yeah, he left about an hour ago. With some guy in a suit. Not the coach. Someone else."
My chest tightens.
"What did the guy look like?"
"Older. Expensive suit. Had that lawyer vibe, you know?"
"Which way did they go?"
"Parking lot. West side."
Americus and I rush outside. The west parking lot is empty except for a few cars.
No sign of Eli.
"This is bad," Americus says. "Lawyers showing up unannounced is never good."
I pull out my phone. Call Eli. Straight to voicemail.
Call again. Same thing.
"He's gone," I say. "He's actually gone."
"Maybe he had to go somewhere. Deal with something for the case." Americus is trying to sound calm. Failing. "Maybe it's fine."
"Nothing about this is fine." I feel panic rising. "He wouldn't just disappear without telling me. Not after everything. Not after promising no more secrets."
My phone buzzes. Finally.
But it is not Eli.
Unknown: Your hockey prince is dealing with some family business. He'll be back when he's ready. Or maybe he won't. Depends on what his lawyers tell him about you.
I show Americus.
"What the hell does that mean?" she demands.
"I don't know." My hands shake. "But Eli's gone. And someone's trying to make me think it's because of me."