Savvy?
“I’m just researching.” It sounded weak even to me. “You heard the way your teammates spoke about me — hell, you were there when the coach spoke to me just as badly.”
“So what are you saying? The team’s a bunch of guys who assault women?” he asked incredulously.
“No! Of course not,” I snapped. I didn’t meet his glare.
“Oh my fucking God, you do.” He breathed out in disbelief. “You think we’re all doing it.”
“I didnotsay that,” I growled at him. “I’m saying they may have a system that protects the program over people. That’s different from saying everyone is guilty. Stop putting words in my mouth.”
“Well, it’s a change from you putting your tongue in mine!”
I gaped at him. “Wh-what?”
A sneeze broke our glares, and I swung my glare to Savannah, but I took in the bright eyes and her apologetic look. “Sorry, think my time’s run out for the cat-hair tolerance.”
I completely forgot she was allergic to my cat. “Shit.” I turned; the window had dropped closed. “I forgot.”
“It’s fine.” She edged toward the door. “But I really need to go.” She leaned over and tugged Dustin’s arm. “You too, before you two start arguing even more.”
He nodded. “Already regretting being here,” he muttered.
“Don’t do that,” I snapped at him. “Don’t be that dick.”
He scoffed. “Fine, I’ll be this one instead.” He flung the door open and walked out without looking back.
Savannah hovered, looking at me as I made a mad grab at my cat before she broke for freedom, then at the open door.
“Hadley—”
I straightened, holding my cat tightly. “It’s fine.” I gave her a short smile. “It’s an emotive subject, I get it. I appreciate your time. It was nice meeting you.”
Savannah took the unspoken ‘time to go’ in stride. “You too. Thanks for the beer.”
She hesitated.
“I won’t tell anyone you were here,” I assured her. “If you could do me the same courtesy?”
“I’m going to tell Dante and Noah; they’re in this, but you don’t need to know—”
“The bar fight.”
She gave a quick smile. “Of course,” she murmured in understanding. “You miss nothing.”
“It’s what started it up again,” I admitted. “I was trying to let it go.” I held my squirming cat tighter. “It was the push I probably didn’t need.”
Savannah looked at me, and I saw her sincerity. “Be careful. There’s something wrong happening here, and I...” She looked over her shoulder, turned, and closed the door, so it was just the two of us. “I don’t think you should be the one who exposes this.”
“I—”
“Where’s the girl?” she asked me softly. “They removed Mason Sterling, they did their best to snuff out the story. Where’s the girl?” she asked me again intently. “I think you’re going to be brilliant when you’re done here and have your degree. But don’t be blinkered. This? This is too much. Imet these guys too, remember. I’ve been in a face-off with Sutherland. Be careful.”
“You really think I should drop it?”
“I think we’re juniors in college, and an institution like this, with the legacy and roots it has, and the donors it has...” Her gaze was clear and steadfast. “We’re not big enough to fight this.”
“Does the dean know?” I asked quietly.