Chapter 11 Close Call / Caught
After the close call in the equipment room, my heart wouldn't stop racing. Every time a door opened on campus, I jumped. Jaxson and I were playing a dangerous game, and the walls were starting to feel very thin.
The next day, I went to the rink to watch the afternoon practice. I usually sat high up in the bleachers where I could blend in with the other students, but today, the energy was different.
There were scouts in the stands, men in long black coats with clipboards. They were here to see if Jaxson Miller was really the "Next Big Thing" or just a lucky rookie.
On the ice, Jaxson was a machine. He moved so fast it looked like he was gliding on air. He took a pass from Cooper, spun around a defender, and fired the puck into the net with a sound like a gunshot. Clack!
"He’s going to make it," a voice said beside me.
I turned and saw Marcus, the junior defenseman. He wasn't looking at me; he was watching Jaxson.
"The scouts love him," Marcus continued. "But he’s playing with fire. A guy like that, with his background? One big mistake, one scandal, and the NHL will close the door before he even knocks."
I left the rink early, his words university in my ears. I went back to the "Vipers' Pit" to hide in my room and study, but I couldn't focus. All I could think about was Jaxson’s career. If being with me ruined his chance to save his mother from debt, I would never forgive myself.
Around 11:00 PM, the house finally went quiet.
Leo was out at a captain's meeting, and the rest of the guys were asleep. I was sitting on my bed when my door creaked open.
Jaxson slipped inside. He looked exhausted, his hair still damp from the post-practice shower. He didn't say anything; he just walked over and sat on the floor by my bed, leaning his head against the mattress.
"The scouts liked what they saw today," I whispered, reaching down to run my fingers through his hair.
"I don't care about the scouts right now," he muttered. He reached up and took my hand, kissing my palm. "I just needed to see you."
We spent the next hour talking in low whispers.
He told me about the pressure of the game and how much he hated the "Golden Boy" act he had to put on for the scouts. I told him about Marcus’s warning.
"He's right, you know," I said. "If we get caught, it’s not just a slap on the wrist for you. It’s everything."
"Then we won't get caught," Jaxson said. He stood up, pulling me with him. He wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close. He didn't kiss me, but he rested his forehead against mine. "You're worth the risk, Elena. Every bit of it."
He stayed a little too long. We lost track of time in the quiet of the night. When he finally checked his watch, his eyes went wide.
"I have to go. Leo will be back any minute," he whispered.
He opened my door and checked the hallway. It was dark and empty. He stepped out, moving quickly toward his own room at the other end of the hall.
I stood in my doorway, watching him walk away.
Just as he reached his door, a light flickered at the bottom of the stairs.
Brittany, yes, that same cheerleader, was standing there. She was holding a glass of water, her eyes wide. She looked at Jaxson, who was clearly coming from my room, then she looked at me standing in my doorway in my pajamas.
Jaxson didn't see her at first. He slipped into his room and closed the door.
Brittany’s mouth dropped open. She had spent months trying to get Jaxson to notice her. Now, she was looking at me like I was a thief.
"Elena?" she whispered, her voice sharp. "Was Jaxson just... in your room?"
"He was just helping me with a lightbulb, Brittany," I lied. It was the weakest lie I had ever told.
"At midnight?" she asked. "The star rookie is fixing lightbulbs for the Captain's sister?"
Suddenly, the front door slammed downstairs.
"Yeah, Coach, I'll have the roster ready by morning!" Leo's voice boomed through the house.
Brittany’s eyes gleamed. She looked at me, then looked toward the stairs. She was the one who followed every rule. She was a "Vipers" girl through and through.
"LEO!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. "LEO, COME UP HERE!"
My heart stopped. I felt the color drain from my face. Jaxson’s door stayed shut, but I knew he was listening behind the wood, probably panicking.
Leo’s heavy footsteps hit the stairs. He came up three at a time, looking worried. "Brittany? What’s wrong? Is there a fire?".
Brittany pointed a shaking finger at me, then at Jaxson’s door. "Leo, you need to listen to me. I just saw Jaxson Miller coming out of Elena’s room. They were together. In the dark. At midnight!"
The hallway went dead silent. Leo stood there, his chest heaving from the run up the stairs. He looked at Brittany, whose face was red with excitement. Then, he slowly turned his head to look at me.
I felt like I was going to throw up. I wanted to run. I
wanted to scream. I looked at my brother and I felt like the biggest traitor in the world.
Leo didn't look angry. He looked... tired. He walked over to me and put a steady hand on my shoulder. He looked me right in the eyes.
"Elena," he said, his voice calm. "Was he in there?"
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. I looked at Brittany, who was waiting for the explosion.
Leo waited a beat, then he looked back at Brittany.
"Brittany, go back to the guest room," Leo said quietly.
"But Leo! I saw them! He was right there—"
"I said go back to your room," Leo repeated, his voice firming up. "I know my sister. She wouldn't lie to me, and she certainly wouldn't break the rules of this house. If Jaxson was near her door, he was probably checking the hallway because he heard a noise."
Brittany gasped. "You're just going to ignore it?"
"I'm going to trust the person I’ve known my whole life over a girl who’s been drinking alcoholic punch at midnight" Leo snapped. "Now, go."
Brittany huffed, looking at me with pure hatred, before she stomped off.
Leo stayed in the hallway with me. He squeezed my shoulder gently. "Go to sleep, El. Don't let her get to you."
"Leo..." I started, my voice trembling.
"It's okay," he whispered, kissing the top of my head. "I know you’d never do anything to hurt this team. Or me. Goodnight, El."
He turned and walked toward his room.
I stood in the dark hallway, alone. My heart was breaking. The "I trust you" was worse than a scream. It was worse than being grounded.