CHAPTER 5: COLD DISMISSAL

RAVEN

Teagan's friend shrugged, barely looking sorry. “I thought my contact understood I said three passes, but it turned out he only got two... for me and you.”

Teagan looked over at me, her expression softening with sympathy. “Is there really no other way? Maybe we can call someone or—”

“It’s okay,” I cut in quickly, forcing a smile that I hoped looked real. “You guys go ahead and have fun. I’ll stay behind.”

The words tasted like aloe in my mouth, and devastated wasn't even close to describing how I felt. When the idea for the club first came up, a part of me expected to be left out. But once they confirmed three passes, I allowed myself to get excited. Under all the nervousness about seeing Lyall again, I had been genuinely looking forward to it.

But I should've known better. Teagan’s friend had made it crystal clear from the beginning that she didn’t like me. I was the charity case, the babysitter, and the extra.

“Come on, let’s go,” she said, already turning toward the door like the conversation was over.

Teagan hesitated for half a second, then grabbed her clutch and phone. She leaned in and whispered, “Good night, Raven,” before following her friend out.

The door clicked shut behind them, leaving me standing in the middle of the living room for quite some time. A painful lump formed in my throat, my heart aching with disappointment, but I swallowed hard and sank onto the sofa, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall.

I didn't cry for things that weren't mine. That had never been who I was. Furthermore, not going to some fancy Hollywood club wasn’t going to kill me. I’d survived worse... far worse.

With numb fingers, I pulled out my phone and scrolled back to the article, staring at the photo of myself and Lyall. My fingers brushed lightly over the frozen image of his face as I closed my eyes and took a long, deep breath, holding it until my lungs ached before slowly exhaling.

When I reopened my eyes, I looked around the suite. It was truly beautiful, with high ceilings and large windows that let in the campus lights. I began counting all the things I loved about the suite, just as I always did when someone hurt my feelings or when life reminded me of my place.

I had a full ride to Stanford, a safe place to sleep, food in the fridge, and fresh clothes. I had a chance to become a doctor someday and was in good health. The crushing disappointment subsided, not completely, but enough that I could get up and function again.

I went into the kitchen and searched through the pantry for a bag of microwave popcorn. I popped it in, set the timer, and listened to the kernels explode while leaning against the counter. When it was finished, I poured it into a bowl and inhaled its buttery aroma.

Afterward, I headed to my bedroom, peeled off the cute black dress I’d been so excited to wear, and traded it for soft pajamas and fuzzy slippers. I caught my reflection in the mirror, makeup still on and hair styled, and felt a pang, but I ignored it.

Back in the living room, the suite felt too big with just me in it, but I ignored the feeling, curled up on the sofa with my popcorn, grabbed the remote, and scrolled through streaming options until I found a good musical I'd seen before.

As the movie played, I munched on popcorn and let my thoughts drift. Part of me kept replaying the day, the electrifying moment on the field, and the viral image. Another part replayed Teagan's friend's cold dismissal and how quickly Teagan had gone along with it.

I wondered what they were doing at Poppy now, if they'd gotten there yet. Teagan had said it was about a forty five to an hour drive depending on traffic.

Were they already laughing alongside the players? Had Lyall noticed I wasn’t there?

I shook my head. Stop it, Raven. He probably hadn’t given me a second thought after the initial shock. I was just some random girl who’d almost fainted, and nothing more, as I should be, the man was married.

The film's upbeat dialogue helped distract me, and I laughed at a few jokes despite myself, pulling a blanket over my legs.

By the time the popcorn bowl was empty, I felt better. I decided I’d watch the rest of the movie, then maybe read a chapter of one of my pre-med books afterward, and try to get some sleep. Orientation was on Wednesday, and I needed to stay focused. This was my top priority, not chasing impossible moments with NFL stars who had their own lives and had no idea I existed.

****

LYALL

Poppy was packed wall-to-wall with bodies, and the VIP section was brimming with expensive bottles and the type of girls who always seemed to find their way into these nights... beautiful, eager, and dressed to kill. They laughed loudly, draped themselves over my teammates, and kept the energy high. It was exactly the kind of scene that used to be fun when I was younger.

Tonight, my mind was anywhere but here.

I only came to keep an eye on the new teammates and ensure they returned to the hotel before curfew. It was barely past eight, but team rules said eleven, and I wanted to make sure they didn't forget because, as captain, my job didn't end when we left the field.

But wanting some decent shut-eye before tomorrow’s sessions wasn’t the only thing weighing on me. I couldn’t stop thinking about the green-eyed girl from the training field.

Her scent still haunted me and Storm was still just as fixated. It didn’t help that I now had a picture of her. I’d called Sable earlier to check in, and she’d mentioned the viral article making the rounds. Against my better judgment, I kept pulling it up on my phone whenever I had a spare second and looking at those wide green eyes looking up at me.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket as one of the girls leaned in closer, laughing at something I hadn’t heard. The unmarried guys on the team were eating it up, flirting, buying drinks, and fully in the moment, and I forced a polite smile and nodded along.

“I need some air," I muttered, standing up, when the guy who was cousins with one of my linemen entered the VIP area. I froze mid-motion when I saw who trailed behind him.

I believe she said her name was Teagan from the Stanford Daily. Being a werewolf came with a strong memory, so I never forgot a name once it was mentioned.

My eyes frantically searched the space behind them, hoping to spot the green-eyed girl. But it was only the two of them. Disappointment settled heavily in my chest, even though maybe I should have been glad. This was safer. My wolf, however, whined in protest.

The cousin initiated introductions, and Teagan and her friend were reintroduced to me. Teagan gave a bright smile. “Thanks again for the interview this morning. It was a great opportunity.”

“It was a pleasure,” I replied automatically, and she pointed at the empty space on the couch beside me. “Mind if I sit?”

“Of course.” I gestured for the server to bring drinks for the girls as they settled in and immediately started talking about the joint practice, praising my throws, my leadership, the usual lines I heard everywhere.

I nodded and smiled at the right moments, but I barely registered a word. Their presence here only made it impossible to stop thinking about their missing friend.

Before I even realized it, the question slipped out. “Where’s your friend? The one who got sick this morning? Does she not do clubs?”