Chapter 94

The day of the game against the Dragons and the Serpents had finally arrived. Excitement bubbled within me as I pulled on my Dragons jersey, the one that had Lucas's name and number on the back.

The anticipation was killing me, and it seemed to be reflected in the charged energy around me as I walked inside the hockey stadium at Hollow High.

This was the game that would determine the Dragon's place in the championships, and I had no doubt that Shadow High's team, led by Lucas, would give it their all.

My phone buzzed with a text notification, and I glanced down to see it was from Lucas.

Lucas: I'll be a bit late for the game. See you there!

I frowned, wondering why he wasn't with the other players yet. Lucas was never late. I didn't think too much about it, and sent him a simple reply of, "See you at the game!" and headed to the arena with James.

As the minutes ticked by and the game time drew closer, I began to feel a sense of unease.

Lucas not showing up was unlike him, especially for such an important game.

The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with fans cheering and teammates warming up. But my eyes kept scanning the entrance, searching for any sign of Lucas.

When the clock struck game time and Lucas still hadn't appeared, worry gnawed at my gut.

James and I exchanged concerned glances, the unspoken question lingering between us. Something was wrong. Lucas wouldn't just miss a game like this without a valid reason.

"There's something I forgot to mention..." James rubbed the back of his neck.

"What?" I asked, instantly frowning again. "What is it? Is it about Lucas?"

"He said he was heading to Kendrick's to pick up his jersey..."

My mouth dropped open in shock and James and I shared mirrored faces of panic. Something was very wrong.

James immediately pulled out his phone and dialed Victoria's number. I watched as he paced back and forth, his voice tense as he spoke to her.

She said she was already at the game and would come find us.

"He's not answering his phone," James said, frustration evident in his tone as he hung up.

"What could have happened?" I whispered, my worry deepening.

Victoria had joined us now, her face mirroring our concern. "I don't know, but Lucas wouldn't just miss the game."

"Did he mention anything to you?" James asked.

"No." Victoria shook her head. "He didn't say anything."

My phone buzzed again, and I quickly pulled it out to check if it was Lucas.

It wasn't Lucas, but it was my dad asking when I would be home. Damn it.

"He would never miss this," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else. "He's put so much work into the team."

Victoria's phone rang, and she answered it with a frown.

From the way she was speaking, it was clear that the caller was one of her parents. She glanced at me, her expression suddenly turning serious. "My parents just spoke to Kendrick. He said Lucas would be 'well-punished' for ending the engagement."

My heart sank at her words. Lucas's absence wasn't just a random occurrence. It was because of Kendrick. He had done something for him...

Kendrick's threat seemed to echo in my mind, and I could only imagine what he had done to make Lucas miss the game.

"Of course." James's eyes darkened with anger. "He did this on purpose."

"But why?" I asked, my frustration matching his.

Victoria sighed, her gaze distant. "I don't know, but my parents actually sounded worried. I don't know, it was weird."

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut.

Kendrick had done something to Lucas. I wasn't exactly sure what he was capable of, but I knew it couldn't be good. And now Lucas would miss the game that meant the most to him and his team.

While James and Victoria continued to talk, their voices becoming more familiar with each passing moment, I couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas was the one who needed us now.

But when I saw how comfortable James and Victoria were, I found myself curious. Did I miss something? Why weren't they arguing with each other? Why were they actually being civil?

I shook my head, remembering what I should really be worrying about.

As their conversation drew to a close, I cleared my throat, capturing their attention.

"Guys, I think we need to find Lucas."

James nodded in agreement. "You're right. Let's go."

We rushed out of the arena, our determination pushing us forward. The school's streets were already beginning to fill with fans heading to the game.

I could only hope that we'd find Lucas safe and sound, that he hadn't suffered too much from whatever punishment his father had in store for him.

"Wait, what's the plan?" Victoria asked, stopping us in our tracks.

"We're going to Kendrick's," James said simply. "Duh."

Victoria rolled her eyes at him. "Okay, so we show up at Kendrick's. Then what? He has security all over the property, meaning that he would see us coming."

"She has a good point..." I said, stealing a glance at James who was starting to contemplate this. "We can't just show up there."

"Damn," James blew out a deep breath. "Well, then what do we do?"

"I don't know," Victoria said. "Maybe we should just wait here for a bit longer and see if Lucas ever makes it. He's going to be fighting to make it here in time. He might already be on his way."

As much as I didn't like playing the waiting game, Victoria was right. Lucas's number one priority was the hockey game, and if Kendrick was preventing him from making it, he would be fighting extra hard to make it.

James's voice broke through my thoughts as he spoke to Victoria. "You know, we make a pretty good team when we're not arguing."

"I know," Victoria smiled. "It's because I'm so smart and you're so... yourself."

I looked at them, surprised by the ease in their interaction. They seemed so familiar with each other as if they talked all the time. My brow furrowed as I watched them, a feeling of suspicion settling in the pit of my stomach.

I cleared my throat, deciding to address the elephant in the room. "Hey guys, did I miss something? Why are you being so nice and friendly all of a sudden? No arguments have started yet..."

James and Victoria exchanged a look, and a knowing smile tugged at the corners of Victoria's lips. "Oh, we've had our moments. But right now, finding Lucas is the priority."

I nodded, not entirely convinced by her answer. It felt like there was more to the story like they were intentionally keeping something from me. But Victoria was right, yet again.

Lucas is the priority right now.

"We need to head back inside," James stated, looking at the building behind us. "Lucas and I can't both miss the game. The guys are probably wondering where I am, too."

We all nodded in agreement and headed back inside, silently hoping that Lucas was okay and that he'd make it.