Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

AVERY

“So, you're telling me you slept with a stranger, didn't know his name, left his room before sunrise, and then found out he was Callum Hayes?”

Sienna's voice was far too loud.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her closer as we walked across campus. “Keep your voice down.”

She blinked innocently. “Why?”

“Because we're in the middle of campus, Sienna.”

“So?”

“So people have ears.”

She rolled her eyes. “Nobody cares what we're talking about.”

“I care.”

“You've told me this story three times already.”

“And you've asked me questions about it approximately forty-seven times.”

“Because I still can't believe it.” She lowered her voice dramatically, although not nearly enough for my liking. “Callum Hayes?”

I groaned.

“Yes, Sienna. Callum Hayes.”

“The Callum Hayes that Mason keeps talking about and absolutely hates?”

I stopped walking and stared at her. “How many Callum Hayeses do you think there are that Mason hates?”

She shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe two.”

“You're impossible.”

“And you're lucky.”

“Lucky?”

She nodded, looking far too pleased with herself. “You could've gone home with some random freshman who thinks protein powder is a personality. Instead, you got Callum.”

“Please stop talking.”

“I'm just saying—”

“Sienna.”

She raised both hands. “Fine. I'm done.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I'm serious.” She swore.

“Good.”

She lasted approximately five seconds. “So, are you going to see him again?”

I groaned and started walking again. “Sienna.”

“What? It's a valid question.”

“No, it isn't.”

“Why?”

“Because I'm not seeing him again.”

She hummed skeptically beside me. “Okay.”

I rolled my eyes and pushed open the door to our lecture hall.

“I hate you.”

“No, you don't.”

Unfortunately, she was right.

~~~

Professor Callahan had barely finished taking attendance before he started asking questions about the reading we'd been assigned over the break.

The first question earned him silence.

The second earned him more silence.

By the third, he sighed and looked over the room. “Did anyone actually read the book?”

A few students shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

I raised my hand and Professor Callahan smiled immediately. “Of course you did, Miss Bennett.”

A few people snickered and I lowered my hand slowly.

“Go ahead.”

I answered his question, then his follow-up. When he pushed the discussion further, I gave him another answer, and by the time we'd moved onto the next section, I was starting to feel like I was carrying the entire class on my back.

Professor Callahan eventually leaned against his desk and looked around the room. “Well, this is encouraging.”

I smiled.

“At least one person intends to pass this course.” He glanced at me again. “I suppose being president of the student book club has its advantages.”

I smiled politely. “I like to think so.”

“You're one of the few students who consistently comes prepared, Avery. Keep it up.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

He turned back toward the board and rest of the class went smoothly, and by the time he began packing away his notes, I was already reaching for my bag.

Then he cleared his throat. “One more thing.”

Everyone groaned.

He smiled. “Relax. You're not getting another reading.” That earned a few relieved laughs. “We're starting your major feature project today.”

My attention immediately returned to him.

“For this assignment, you'll be required to choose a subject connected to university life and produce an in-depth feature. You'll conduct interviews, research your subject, observe it firsthand, and ultimately present a polished feature piece.”

I reached for my notebook.

Around me, everyone began whispering about potential topics.

I already had three ideas.

Professor Callahan continued, “Normally, I'd let you choose your subjects.”

I looked up. “Normally?”

His eyes found mine. “Avery, I'd like you to cover the Hawthorns hockey program.”

My pen stopped moving and for a second, I thought I'd heard him wrong.

“The hockey program?”

“Yes.”

I stared at him.

“You'll interview members of the team, attend practices, speak with the coaching staff, and follow the team throughout the project.”

My stomach sank.

“Professor, I don't really know anything about hockey.”

“Exactly.”

A few people laughed, I didn't.

He smiled. “You're a very good writer, Avery. You're also very comfortable writing about subjects you already understand. I want you to challenge yourself.”

I glanced down at my notebook.

Hockey.

Of all the possible subjects on campus, he'd chosen hockey.

I had spent most of my life deliberately keeping my distance from anything involving the sport. Mostly because being Mason Bennett's sister meant hockey had a way of finding me anyway.

Apparently, that wasn't enough.

Professor Callahan began passing around the assignment sheets.

“You'll find your interview schedule attached. I've selected the players I want each of you to speak with.”

I took the sheet when it reached me and my eyes moved down the list.

One name after another and I barely registered them.

Until I saw his name sitting at the bottom of the list.

CALLUM HAYES.

My fingers tightened around the paper.

No, absolutely not. There was no fucking way.

I read the name again.

CALLUM HAYES.

The same Callum Hayes whose bed I'd woken up in yesterday.

The same Callum Hayes who happened to be the one person my brother would never want me anywhere near.

And now, apparently, he has become a crucial part of my project.

My first day back at Hawthorns had officially gone to hell.