“Listen, fuckface,” I hiss, deliberately using my size to intimidate him. I won’t hit him. It wouldn’t be a fair fight and I don’t need a murder charge. But he’s done insulting Alia in front of me.
Maybe he reads the death-threat lurking beneath my barely maintained facade of calm because he gulps, eyes shifting toward the exit down the empty hallway. I hear shuffling feet behind me, but I know I can count on Theo to make sure Alia doesn’t get close to us right now.
Namik’s jaw is tight but, unlike before, he’s holding back from confronting me. I take undue pleasure in stripping the power he thought he had.
“I wondered what kind of a stupid man would cheat on a woman like Alia. Then, I met you and I realized you’ve done her a favor.” My condescending chuckle makes his skin stain crimson. “No wonder you couldn’t keep her—you’ve missed the whole goddamn point. She doesn’t have to be on her knees becauseIwill be on mine.”
I pat him patronizingly. Anyone watching us would misconstrue it for a friendly gesture, but each solid thump of my hand upon his shoulder makes him flinch.
“Weren’t you supposed to be the nice guy?” he snaps, brushing my hand away angrily.
“The fact that you’re still standing is proof I’m being nice. You won’t get a second chance.”
His eyes widen in alarm, a slight sheen of sweat shining across his forehead when I lean in, my next words audible only to the two of us. “Thanks for fucking up your marriage. I won’t make the mistakes you did. Stay far away from Alia, unless you want to learn to live with a puck inside your ass. Are we clear?”
35
ALIA
I’ve never had an issue with silence before but, with Callum staring me down, this suddenly empty hallway feels eerie. I’m afraid if I think too loudly, my thoughts will echo all over the arena and back.
Theo insisted on escorting Namik out, leaving me alone with a Cal who looks like he’s crumbling under the weight of unasked questions. His phone pings, momentarily distracting us. His face is blank as he reads the message.
“It’s Irsia. Rohan is at Mateo’s house right now, asking if we want to meet them there.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere.”
He nods firmly, typing out a response. “I told them I’ll be taking you home.”
“Youcan go if you want.”
“I’m not leaving you alone, Alia,” he replies instantly, a sliver of exasperation in his tone. When he finally slides his phone into his pocket again and glances at me, I see the worry he’s unable to hide.
“I’m okay,” I whisper, my voice embarrassingly shaky.
“I’m not.” The muscle in his jaw ticks as he rubs two fingers along his temple. “I hate that you were forced into a confrontation with someone who doesn’t understand consent.”
I agree. I hate it too.
“I want to know everything.”
“Everything?” I tilt my head sideways, attempting to understand what he’s asking of me.
“Everything,” he says with a hint of frustration. “Why is your ex-husband still harassing you? Why was Moore so worked up? Why did Coach and Vega look so worried?”
I lean tiredly against the wall, my chest tight with tension.
“I told you Namik cheated on me.”
Cal hums but doesn’t say anything else.
“What I didn’t tell you was how I found out.” I gulp, swallowing the humiliation I still feel. “He gave me an STI. Until then, I’d never suspected he might be unfaithful. My lawyer found an active profile for him on a popular hook-up app during the divorce proceedings. He opened it less than six months after marrying me.”
A muffled curse escapes him as Cal’s face grows ashen. A stoic silence strains the space between us as the implications of my confession weigh in on him. I see him struggling, wanting to console me but not having the appropriate words to do so. I’m embarrassed by the truth but not sorry whatsoever. If anything, that incident allowed me the clarity I needed to break off my toxic marriage.
“Don’t look so sad, Cal. I’m not heartbroken it happened.”
His face is pinched and, when I reach out to lay a soothing hand over his arm, I realize how rigid his muscles are. I rub my thumb across his forearm, tracing a bulging vein that pulses under my touch.