Chapter 52 52: Sloane Vane's Shadow
"Skip practice?" Cam murmured, releasing Baby to look at his face.
Baby bit his lip in contemplation, "Yes." He laughed softly, "Skip class, too." He added.
Cam smirked, "Shannon the cousin isn't gonna like that, but, she'll live," he said and pulled Babywith him.
"Get changed, I'll get my car," Cam patted Baby's shoulder and ran out of the locker room.
Baby smiled, his first genuine smile for a week.
He changed his pants, pulling off his jersey and pulling out his shirt from his locker when he felt the unmistakable presence behind him.
"What are you doing?" Saint asked in a low voice, watching Baby pull his shirt on.
Baby's ignored him, even though his pulse was almost jumping out of his ears.
The sounds from last night resurfaced in his ears and his butterflies turned into rage.
Fuck Saint, he was Baby fucking Danvers and he wouldn't cower for no Saint Kross.
He finished dressing up and tried to slide away from the locker and Saint.
"What the fuck?!" Baby gasped as Saint suddenly pushed him up against the locker, locking his hands behind him like a criminal getting arrested.
"It's practice time, Captain. I ask again... where are you going?" Saint whispered beside Baby's eyes, his chest pressing firmly against Baby's back.
Baby felt his raw blind him, he felt defiled with Saint's hands on him, like he'd been dragged through the mud.
After pleasing his girlfriend last night, he dared to lay the same hands on Baby.
"It won't be just your lips this time, Saint. I promise you. Let me go," Baby snarled, haring every second Saint kept touching him.
Saint frowned, tightening his hold on Baby, "And you think I'd let you go just like last night?" He asked darkly, tugging Baby's wrists to emphasise his grip.
Baby grunted, his heart beating from anger and excitement, "I'm asking nicely, let me –"
"Tell me where you this know you're running off – Shit!" Saint's vision blurred for a second and the next thing he realised was his body falling backwards toward the bench... or the floor with his boss bleeding.
Another headbutt.
Baby turned, his eyes looking glazed and angry.
"Touch me again and it won't be just your nose or your fucking lips!" Baby barked.
Saint was still groaning on the floor when Baby opened his drawer, pulled out his very sturdy helmet, and threw it square on Saint's head, almost knocking the guy out.
Saint groaned painfully, now holding his bleeding nose and forehead.
"Baby fucking Danvers, you'll regret this, I promise you, fuck!" He winced, grunting as he lifted himself off the floor.
"That sounds familiar," Baby scoffed and walked toward the door when he saw Saint getting on his feet.
He was fleeing, avoiding another confrontation.
He didn't pity Saint, no, he did the right thing. Saint deserved it.
He felt solidly good. Again, fuck Saint, and fuck Kora, too.
Baby stepped outside and found Cam leaning against his car with Oliver beside him.
"Hey, finally out," Cam called, waving Baby over.
"Yeah, had a little something to deal with," Baby replied, glancing at Oliver.
"Hey Babe –"
"Baby," Cam nudged Oliver's arm.
Oliver laughed awkwardly, "Sorry, hi Baby," he corrected, shaking Baby's hand.
"Hi, didn't expect to see you here. Here for Rode?" Baby questioned.
Oliver smirked, "Here for you." Oluver winked.
Baby chuckled, "Right," he looked at Cam for further explanation.
"Really, he is here for you," Cam nodded.
"I had just parked my car when his bike stopped beside me, and he even had some place to take us. I mean its okay if you don't want to check it out, buy –"
"Let's go," Baby cut in, smiling.
Plover returned the smile, happy he was about to spend the day with Baby and no Saint.
"Awesome, let's go see those babies," Cam said, walking around his car to open the front door for Baby.
Baby's eyes immediately went to the bike beside Cam's car. A Ducati Diavel V4.
The monster was a high-end predator and a power cruiser. It looked muscular and low to the ground.
Baby smiled, this was exactly what he needed as a distraction. The bike was massive, intimidating, and expensive. The kind of expensive that said, "I have money, but I'd rather spend it on speed than a suit."
Baby was in love. The Matte black finish with exposed carbon fiber and glowing red LED accents. It had a massive rear tire that looked like it could crush anything in its path.
"I think I'll ride with Oliver... let's see how fast that monster goes," Baby said, pointing at Oliver's bike.
Oliver smirked feeling proud, "My pleasure." He said to Baby, gesturing toward the bike.
Cam sighed, he'd always known Baby was a sucker for bikes, he wasn't offended the slightest.
"Race you guys," Cam challenged, already getting on and starting his car.
"Let him have a headstart... we'll catch up," Oliver mounted his bike.
Baby hears it, the sound that didn't belong on the campus. It was the low, predatory thrum of Oliver's Ducati Diavel V4.
As he pulled up, the engine didn't just vibrate the air; it vibrated the glass in the windows. It was a rich, mechanical bass that made Saint's jaw tighten from the shadows he'd been watching from. Oliver gave the throttle a sharp twist, and the bike let out a jagged, raspy bark—a sound of pure, unadulterated power that seemed to mock the quiet tension between Baby and Saint.
"Ready?" He asked Baby.
Baby chuckled, excited, "I'd be mad if I wasn't." He replied.
In the shadows, Saint stood pinching his nose as he watched Baby leave with the very peeoak he swore to keep him away from.
He hated that Baby looked happy... with Oliver.
Why can't he be the same with him? Was it that hard to simply exist with him?
"Saint," Nickel tapped Saint's shoulder from behind.
Said clearest his throat and straightened, "What's up, Coach?" He asked, looking his usual mean and touch.
Nickel looked disappointed, he sighed, pushing his hand into his pocket, "Sloane Vane will be visiting in the evening. She claims to have something dire to discuss with their star players." He informed.
Saint stiffened, frowning slightly as his mind raced in different directions.
Sloane Vane? Visiting Baby and him personally?
Why would the CEO of The Apex Hockey Consortium want to see them personally?