Chapter 103: Sadie: Even Here

SADIE

My head is pounding as if it’s trying to split itself open.

With both hands pressed against my temples, I sit behind the desk and try to listen to the team. They’re voting on whether Sophie should stay, which deserves more attention than I’m managing to give it. I’d like to blame the headache, but Trey is taking up most of the space.

Outside, a crowd of prospective members is waiting to register. Their voices carry into the room, and I close my eyes for a second, wishing everyone—including the guy in my head—would give me a minute.

“We can’t let someone who sold us out to Paige and Dixie back into this club,” Noah says, raising his voice. “That’s some crazy betrayal.”

I’m not trying to downplay what Sophie did, but if that has him so upset, hearing about Trey might finish him. Not that I’m doing much better.

My eyes are sore, my throat hurts, and my empty stomach isn’t helping. Until last night, I thought losing sleep over a guy meant missing him. Turns out being scared of how little you know him does the job too.

I mean, how many things in my life did he interfere with? One? Two? Three?

He’s a psycho, and I was falling for him.

As if I didn’t have enough to deal with last night, I figured that out too. Being furious with Trey didn’t stop me from realizing just how much I liked him.

I liked making him smile. I liked seeing him enjoy the breakfast or dinner I’d made and acting like I wasn’t waiting for his opinion. His protectiveness got to me too, which, thanks to Ezra, was so new that I didn’t know what to do except like him more.

I liked the way he could command everyone’s attention without trying, then look at me as if I had all of his. I liked catching him checking me out. It made me feel worth noticing, and even tutoring him gave me something to look forward to. I could give him a hard time, and he’d let me.

Hopelessly and stupidly, he made me like him. My stupid, easy heart barely put up a fight.

“Prez, are you sure you’re okay?”

I lift my head at Nia’s voice, finding her watching me with concern. She’s taken over most of the Sophie situation, which I’m grateful for. I’m barely following the conversation, let alone running it.

Even nodding makes the pounding worse.

“Don’t worry about me,” I glance at others. “What did everyone decide?”

“The vote was unanimous. Sophie’s out.”

“Good.” I let out a breath. “We’re better off without her.”

I wasn’t expecting everyone to forgive Sophie overnight, and I’m happy with the decision. She turned on her friends after years together, so I don’t know how we’re supposed to welcome her back and trust her around anything.

An apology might’ve helped. If she’d reached out and shown she was sorry, maybe people would’ve considered giving her another chance. Instead, she texted everyone separately, asking them to keep her in the club while telling them I shouldn’t be president.

It’s hilarious and sick. Why fight to stay in a club you hate so much? Seriously, the people around me need psychological help. I keep meeting the worst of them.

“We’ve got new members waiting outside,” Nia says. “Over two hundred people registered online too.”

My gaze darts to the door, trying to find the part of me that would normally be thrilled about that.

“Ready to let them in?”

“Yeah.” I push myself up, then grip the desk when my vision sways. A second later, I can look at her properly. “Let’s sort this out.”

Before moving, I tug at my dress where it’s tight around my waist. It’s Lola’s, and I’d like a little more room to breathe. She hasn’t collected my things from Trey’s apartment yet, so for now, her wardrobe is doing what it can for me.

Nia opens the door, letting in the waiting crowd and a lot more noise. Caleb and Priya help direct people toward the registration line while the others make space.

All these people found us through the collaboration with the hockey team. My fingers curl into my palms as I look around. I should be happy about the turnout, but even this reminds me of Trey. He’s managed to get into my club without being here.

With a stack of forms in hand, I approach the line and offer one to a girl with dyed white hair.

“Thanks for your interest in Quiz Bowl. You can fill this out, or register online if you have the link.”

She takes a copy, and I pass another to the person behind her. A few people ask about the link, so I pause to explain before continuing down the line.

A hand lands on my shoulder just as I reach for another sheet.

“Hey.”

I whirl around, still holding the forms against my chest. Adrian stands behind me with a small smile, his collar leaving the snake tattoo around his neck fully visible today.

“Hey,” I manage a smile. “How are you doing?”

“Good. Almost couldn’t find you in this crowd.” He glances around the room before looking at me.

“It’s a lot, right? Everyone wants to join Quiz Bowl these days.”

“Looks like it.” He holds out a hand. “Let me help with those. Just handing them out?”

I hesitate, looking down at the sheets. He’s already registered, but he’s technically still a new member himself. Then again, the sooner everyone has a copy, the sooner I can sit down.

“Yeah. Thanks.” I separate the stack and give him half.

He takes the forms, but he studies me for a moment.

“Are you okay?” His voice rises slightly above the conversations around us. “You look stressed. Haven’t been sleeping well?”

“Is it that bad? Everyone’s asking if I’m fine.”

“Well, compared to the last time we talked…” He hesitates. “You’re less bubbly. And I remember your smile, which I’m realizing sounds like a strange thing to announce. It’s pretty. That’s what I meant.”

I snort. “I’m cool. Nothing serious.”

If saying it often enough made it true, I’d be feeling great by now. Instead, I’m still angry, exhausted, and doing a terrible job of keeping it off my face.

After passing out the last form, I point toward the seats. “You can sit while you fill those in. Let us know if you need anything.”

The line starts to clear as people settle into the rows. A few raise their hands with questions, and our old members go over to help.

Adrian bumps my shoulder as he joins me. “So, is there a speech coming? I was promised the full new-member experience.”

“Of course. This club is fun, and the president knows what she’s doing.”

He smiles, then leans closer. “I don’t mean to get in your business, but last time we met, you weren’t…” He hesitates, glancing at my face. “Scent-marked.”

My smile starts to slip.

“Is that a problem?” I ask.

“No. Sorry.” He draws back a little. “Statistically, possessive scent-marking comes up a lot in unhealthy relationships. Not saying you’re in one. I just wanted to check if you’re okay.” He pauses. “I can feel the wolf behind it. He’s pretty fierce. Doesn’t seem keen on anyone getting close to you. I’m hoping that was your choice.”

I swallow, my fingers gathering my dress. The smile I force onto my face almost hurts.

“His name’s Trex. He’s usually pretty fiery.” I loosen my grip on the dress before Adrian notices. “I can handle him, though.”

He presses his lips together, then nods. “Cool. I didn’t realize you and Trey were that close.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say—”

“Wait. Is that Trey Mercer?”

I freeze. My mouth hangs open. I blink at Adrian, struggling to make sense of what I just heard as my stomach starts to sink.

Please don’t let him be here.

For a few seconds, I don’t turn around. I’m tired enough to have misheard someone. That’s possible, isn’t it?

“What’s he doing here?”

“Is he part of the team?”

The questions come from different parts of the room. People lean around each other to see, and when Adrian looks past me too, I know I can’t keep blaming my lack of sleep.

I turn slowly.

Trey is standing by the door, and the little sense of safety I had in here disappears when our eyes meet. Goosebumps rise along my arms, my heart hitting so hard that I feel it in my throat.

He’s wearing all black, his usual choice. Nice to know his clothes match his heart.

There’s something almost sad in the way he’s looking at me. Is that supposed to be affection?

Whatever it is, I don’t want it. I’ve already spent enough time trying to understand him, and I have a much simpler question.

What the hell is he doing here?

Lola told him to leave me alone. Clearly, that was too much to ask. Both Mercer brothers seem convinced they can walk into any space they want, and now he’s standing in the one place I shouldn’t have to deal with his face.