Riley’s pov
The room went silent. Or maybe that was just the blood roaring in my ears.
I didn’t dare look at Zavi, I could feel his grey eyes boring into the back of my skull, cold.
Coach slapped his hands together. “Alright, that’s settled. Keys are on the stand by the door, grab yours and get settled in, you’ve got the rest of the day off but I want everyone on the rink by six tomorrow morning, don’t be late.”
Everyone dispersed in a flurry of chatter and shoulder slaps while I stood frozen, my feet rooted to the floor, everyone else seemed to move in slow motion around me.
I felt his body brush past mine, hard enough for me to stumble.
Zavi.
He walked toward the key stand without looking back, grabbed a key, and walked out the door.
I exhaled, my breath burned like I’d been holding my breath for hours.
“Riley, you okay?” Jake bumped my shoulder. “You look like you just saw a ghost.
“Fine.” The word came out strangled. “Just tired.”
He shrugged and jogged off to join the others, already laughing about something Jordan had said. I forced my legs to move, walking toward the key stand, my hands trembled as I grabbed the keys to OUR room.
It’s fine Riley, totally fine. You’ll just share a room with someone who knows your secret and hates your guts. What could go wrong?
~~~~~
The dorm room was small, with two beds, a desk, a closet, and Zavi had already claimed the good side.
His duffel was on the bed by the window, his jacket was thrown over the chair, and his shoes were arranged neatly on the side of the chair.
I dropped my bag on the other bed. The mattress sagged, the springs creaked. Perfect.
I kicked my foot against the bed and winced. “Ow, stupid-“
I bit my tongue, no point in yelling. He wasn’t even here.
I sat on the edge of the bed, pressed my palm to my eyes, and tried to breathe.
This is fine, he hasn’t told anyone… yet.
I didn’t know what his plan was, that was the worst part.
I stopped off my clothes, my breasts fell free from the binder and I let out a shaky breath of relief.
I grabbed my small towel from my luggage that had been transferred from my initial dorm and walked into the bathroom. It was small, had a bathtub with the curtain drawn, and a sink… nothing extra.
I stepped inside and locked the door.
Finally, privacy.
I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. My short hair was messy, dark circles under my eyes and my skin was pale.
I looked like hell and it was all his fault.
“Zavi,” I muttered, leaning closer to the mirror. “You arrogant, cold-hearted, infuriating-“
I grabbed a towel and wiped my face.
“I hate you, I hate your gut so much.” I pointed my reflection like I was talking to him. “You think you’re tough? I’m going to get back at you for this, I don’t know how but I’m going to-“
I froze.
Something moved on the wall.
A spider, big, hairy, crawling right toward me.
I screamed.
Not a little squeak, a full- on, throat-ripping scream.
I stumbled backward, my arms flailing and my heart hammering. My foot hit something wet and I slipped.
Everything tilted.
I crashed through the shower curtain, and cold water hit my back as I landed hard on something solid. Someone grunted.
Something grabbed my hips.
I blinked, and water was everywhere. My hair was plastered to my face. I tried to push myself up but my hand slipped on wet skin.
Wet skin?
I looked down.
I was in the bathtub, on top of Zavi. His chest was bare and his grey eyes wide, his hand on my hips
“What the—“ his voice was low and rough.
I scrambled, tried to get off him but the tub was too small, too slippery, my knees slid and I fell back down, hard.
His hand tightened on my hip, steadying me, his jaw clenched.
“Riley, stop moving.” He growled.
I froze, I was on top of him, naked, my breast pressed against his chest and my legs tangled with his.