Chapter 103: ELLIOT

ELLIOT’S POV

I watched Weston hit the grass the same time everyone else did.

Someone in the distance yelled, “Oh shit, it’s a fight!”

And the collective hush that’d settled in its wake shattered in a rush of noise as the crowd gathered round the yard, effectively blocking everyone else’s view of the center.

Delia got her feet, peering across the distance to catch a glimpse of what was going on.

“Holy crap!” She gasped, turning to me with wide eyes. “Is that Weston?”

I pushed to my feet too and slung my bag over my shoulder, already rushing down the steps with no idea on what I'd do when I finally got there.

Delia and Dennis were hot on my heels, Delia with her phone out and Dennis with a hand on my back, steadying as I shouldered past throngs of bodies and bullied my way to the front.

Someone cursed at me when I stepped on their shoes, but I paid them no mind, all my attention zeroed in on Weston as he slowly came into view.

He was still crouched on the grass, breathing hard, blood dripped from his nose, and it looked bruised. I panted hard, swinging my gaze to Mason and Armand, Tobias had taken several steps back and was practically a part of the crowd now.

But he made no move to stop them as they advanced.

Various thoughts swam through my head as I watched Weston push to his feet. I mean, I knew he wasn't exactly team MVP, but I figured most of their animosity would never go past locker room jabs and thinly veiled threats.

But for three major athletes to take the risk of having a public fight over their grievances and put their athletic career on the line?

Just what exactly did Weston do to these people?

I watched as he grabbed his bag, and dusted the grass stains from his sweats. He spat blood on the ground and turned to face both men. Even bruised and bloodied, he managed to stare down his nose at them with that familiar air of superiority.

“I'm not doing this bullshit.” He spat, voice a low growl. “Channel this anger for game day. Leave me the fuck alone.”

Someone made a noise of disappointment in the crowd, and I turned immediately to Delia because I knew where this was going.

“Call campus security.” I rushed out, shoving off my jacket and bag and handing it to Dennis.

Delia blinked at me, seemingly confused. “What?”

“Get campus security.” I snapped, “Hurry.”

“Okay.” She snapped back, fumbling for her phone. “Jeez, don't rush me.”

I turned my attention back to the fight just in time to hear Mason's low sneer.

“I already told you, Pierce.” He spat back, “Out of the ice. You don't tell us what to fucking do.”

And then he swung again, and this time, Weston dodged the blow, but two against one was always going to be an unfair fight. Weston was surrounded, and I couldn’t exactly jump into the fray without risking getting a punch or two.

Arriving at the compliance hearing on Saturday with a black eye and a fresh fight on my disciplinary record was not going to work out well for me, no matter how much it felt like a betrayal to look away.

I scanned the crowd until I found Tobias, and then began another round of stepping on toes and shouldering past bigger people until I was standing right next to him.

“Are you really not going to stop this?” I hissed right into his ear, satisfaction curling down my back when he jumped in shock.

He whirled around, eyes wide. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.” he hissed.

“Answer my question.” I insisted, pressing closer. “Why are you just letting this happen?”

He set his jaw and turned his gaze away. In front of us, someone had already intervened and was holding Mason back. In the distance, I heard the distinct siren of the security, and a collective hum of disappointment passed through the crowd.

We both watched as the uniformed officers pushed through the crowd, cuffs dangling from their grips, ready to restrain. But the only person who seemed to be uncooperative was Armand.

I winced as he was unceremoniously tackled down to the ground.

Tobias and I watched as all three of them were led past the dispersing crowd and away, most likely to face the disciplinary committee for fighting on campus. An offense usually followed by a suspension.

Weston turned and met my gaze very briefly as they were led away, his gaze drifting briefly to Tobias before his expression shuttered and then they were gone.

Panic twisted hard at my chest and I fought the feeling down.

I didn’t do anything wrong. I was only looking out for myself.

“If they all get suspended, we’re going to be missing both our centers and two of our defensemen.” I said, anger making the words sharp. “We’re in a much worse state than we were with just Houston gone. Was it worth it?” I spat, “Humbling him in public at the cost of the season?”

“You don’t know what he did.” Tobias spat back, face turning splotchy red with what was either anger of humiliation. “If you did, you’d realize that all of us on the team have been holding back. He’s an arrogant, cocky, nepo bastard. A rich asshole who decided he’s better than the rest of us because his Daddy’s some hockey legend, and cost us two of our most valuable players.”

“Please,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Houston got what he deserved. That was foul play and we all knew it.”

“Yeah, okay, maybe.” he huffed, shrugging helplessly. “But you don’t know what he did to Tyler. You weren’t here to see it, rookie, but your bestie cost Tyler his entire NHL future. He ruined his career before it even began. And all because Tyler was so much better than him on the ice.”

I frowned. “I don’t believe that.”

“Of course you don’t.” he snarled, “Pierce has you wrapped all around his finger. I don’t know if it's a crush, or hero worship, or whatever, but you’re the last person I expect to have his back after what he did to you.”

“He has mine too.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Tobias blinked once in disbelief and then threw his head back with loud laughter. I flushed hot down to my toes.

He dropped his head, laughter tapering off as his expression turned grim. “I feel sorry for you if you actually believe that.”

“He’s not the monster you’re making him out to be.” I doubled down because apparently I was an idiot.

“No.” Tobias sneered, turning away. “He’s so much worse.”

I watched as he walked away, my chest heaving hard with every breath I took. Dennis and Delia stood where I left them, matching expressions of worry on their faces. But they said nothing when I approached, Dennis handed me my stuff wordlessly.

“I have to get to practice.”