Chapter 3

Friday at 2 PM, I stood outside President Hamilton's office, my palms sweating. I'd never been in the administrative building before, let alone the president's office. The whole place felt intimidating, with its marble floors and oil paintings of former university presidents staring down at me.

"Ms. Ashford?" The secretary, a woman in her fifties with perfectly styled gray hair, looked up from her computer. "President Hamilton will see you now."

I walked into the office, and my first thought was that it was bigger than my entire dorm room. President Hamilton sat behind a massive oak desk, looking exactly like what you'd expect a university president to look like—silver hair, expensive suit, the kind of confidence that came from decades of being in charge.

"Please, sit down." He gestured to a leather chair across from his desk.

I sat, trying not to fidget with my hands.

"I'll get straight to the point, Ms. Ashford." He leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "There have been some concerning rumors circulating about you and the hockey team."

My stomach dropped. "Sir, I can explain—"

"I'm sure you can." His voice was calm, but there was something underneath it that made me nervous. "But first, I need to know if there's any truth to what I'm hearing."

"What exactly are you hearing?"

"That you've been involved with players from our rival schools. That you might have access to... medical supplies that could affect game outcomes."

Here we go again.

"I dated someone from State last year," I said carefully. "We went out for about two months and broke up in January. That's it."

"And during this relationship, did you ever discuss our team's strategies? Medical protocols?"

"No, sir. Never." I felt my cheeks burning. "And I would never give anyone performance enhancers or whatever they're suggesting. That's completely insane."

President Hamilton nodded slowly. "I believe you, Ms. Ashford. But perception is often more important than reality in these situations."

What does that mean?

"Sir, Chase Hawthorne started these rumors because I wouldn't date him. He's been spreading lies about me to the entire team, and now it's affecting my academic life."

"Chase Hawthorne is our team captain," the president said. "He's also from a family that has contributed significantly to this university's athletic programs."

My heart sank. Of course.

"That doesn't give him the right to sexually harass me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Sexual harassment is a serious accusation." President Hamilton picked up a pen and turned it over in his hands. "Do you have any witnesses to this alleged harassment?"

"The entire medical room heard him. Trevor Mason was there, Jake Peterson, at least six other guys."

"And would any of them be willing to testify on your behalf?"

I thought about the way they'd all laughed, the way they'd joined in. "Probably not."

"I see." He set the pen down. "Ms. Ashford, I'm going to be frank with you. Our hockey program is having a difficult season. The last thing we need is a scandal that could affect recruiting or donor relationships."

Are you kidding me?

"So what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that we need to manage this situation carefully." He stood up and walked to his window. "I think the best course of action would be for you to speak with Ms. Blackstone again."

"Riley?" I couldn't hide my surprise. "Sir, I already tried talking to her. She wasn't helpful."

"Perhaps you didn't approach her correctly." He turned back to me. "Ms. Blackstone has assured me that she can handle this situation if you're willing to work with her."

When did he talk to Riley?

"Work with her how?"

"I want her to issue a statement clarifying that there's no truth to these rumors. Something that puts this whole matter to rest."

I stared at him. "She already refused to do that."

"That was before I asked her personally." His voice had an edge to it now. "I'm sure she'll be more cooperative when she understands that this request is coming from me."

I felt trapped. The president of the university was basically ordering me to go back to the woman who'd told me I deserved to be sexually harassed.

"Sir, I don't think—"

"Ms. Ashford." He sat back down, his expression serious. "I'm trying to help you here. If this situation escalates, it won't end well for anyone. Least of all for you."

Is that a threat?

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that young women in your position sometimes find that these kinds of controversies can follow them. Transfer applications get delayed. Recommendation letters become... difficult to obtain."

My mouth fell open. He was absolutely threatening me.

"I see we understand each other." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Go speak with Ms. Blackstone. Tell her that this request comes directly from my office. I'm confident she'll be able to resolve this matter quickly and quietly."

I stood up on shaky legs. "And if she doesn't?"

"She will." He was already turning back to his computer. "That will be all, Ms. Ashford."

I walked out of his office in a daze. The secretary didn't look up as I passed her desk.

They've already talked about this. Riley and the president. They've planned this whole conversation.

I felt like I was in some kind of nightmare. First Chase, then Riley, now the president himself. Everyone was more concerned about protecting the hockey team than protecting me.

But I didn't have a choice. I couldn't afford to have my academic career destroyed over this. I needed my degree, I needed those recommendation letters. My family was counting on me.

Twenty minutes later, I was back in the medical building, climbing the stairs to Riley's office. My hands were shaking as I walked down the hallway.

Just get the statement and get out.

I could see light under her door again. I walked up and raised my hand to knock.

That's when I heard the voices.

"Oh god, yes... right there..."

Riley's voice. Again.

But this time there was another voice. A deeper voice, saying something I couldn't quite make out.

I pressed my ear to the door, my heart pounding.

"You feel so good," the male voice said.

I knew that voice. I'd heard it just a few days ago, calling me names in the medical room.

But I couldn't see who it was.

The sounds from inside were getting more intense. I stood there frozen, listening to my boss having sex with someone, trying to figure out if it was the same person as before.

I needed to know who was in there.