29. Addison

29

Addison

I had never felt so good. I honestly expected Eren to be upset, to confront me in class the next day, but he kept his distance. I was grateful for that.

Michael texted me that morning, telling me to come to his dorm for lunch, which I agreed to. My heart fluttered as I read his message, a smile spreading across my face.

I got ready, taking extra care with my appearance. I wished I could have chosen my attire for the day instead of some dreary school uniform and some winter coat that drowned my frame, but keeping warm was important to me.

I couldn't stop thinking about Michael as I made my way to my morning classes. The way his hands felt on my body, the intensity in his eyes — it was all so intoxicating. I found myself daydreaming, barely able to focus on the lectures.

Midterms were approaching fast, just next week, but with the long weekend coming up, I was excited to have some extra time. Maybe Eren and I could finally have that talk, clear the air between us. I hated how strained things had become.

As I entered the dance studio for late morning practice, I noticed a somber atmosphere. Madame Hennesy gathered us all around, her face grave.

"I'm not sure if you've heard the unfortunate news," she said softly, "but the body of Emily Greene was discovered late last night."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the group of dancers. I frowned, the name echoing in my mind. Emily Greene... why did that sound so familiar? I wracked my brain, trying to place it.

I felt my blood run cold as Madame Hennesy's words sank in. Emily Greene. I remembered her. She was the girl from the Valentine's Day party, the one I had danced with and who had kissed me. I couldn't believe she was dead. I didn't know her, not well, but… How could this have happened?

As I stood there in shock, trying to process the news of Emily's death, Madame Hennesy continued speaking.

"I'm afraid there's more troubling news," she said gravely. "A known Bratva member was also found dead in a pub's parking lot nearby, along with Nathan Wolfe himself and another young woman."

I felt a chill run down my spine. The Bratva? Here in our quiet town? And Nathan Wolfe... I knew that name. He was a local businessman, wealthy and influential. Father to Liam and Sawyer Wolfe, both Titans. Did Michael know?

Madame Hennesy held up her hands for silence. "I know this is a lot to take in, but we must remain vigilant. The school is implementing new safety measures, including a campus-wide curfew enforced by our new dean."

My heart sank at the mention of a curfew. I understood why it was necessary, but still.

"There's also a possibility that our spring performance may be canceled," Madame Hennesy added, her voice heavy with regret.

A chorus of protests rose from the dancers, but she silenced them with a stern look. "I understand your disappointment, but your safety is our top priority. If anyone has any information about these incidents, please come forward. You can speak with your advisors, counselors, or campus police. We're here to support you through this difficult time."

As the gravity of the situation sank in, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What kind of darkness had descended upon our town? And how would it impact our lives going forward?

"Is this some kind of mafia war? I mean, the Wolfes are the Wolfes, and if a body of the Russian Bratva was found…" Mirabella said next to me.

"We don't want to speculate," Madame Hennessy said. "In fact, please don't. Your job is to focus on your dancing and your studies. Dean Walker also intends to implement a buddy system, even for morning and afternoon classes. Now, let's focus on the now, shall we?"

As I started to head to my position for warmups, a shudder ripped through me. Autumn Brooke had always been a safe town, and Crestwood? Crestwood was elite. The thought of such violence occurring here was unthinkable.

I tried to shake off the unsettling news, focusing on the task at hand. I needed to concentrate on my dancing, but the weight of the revelations hung heavy on my mind.

The news of Emily's death and the other grim discoveries weighed heavily on my mind as I tried to lose myself in the familiar motions of dance practice. I moved through the routines mechanically, my body going through the steps while my thoughts remained scattered and troubled.

As class ended, I bundled up in my coat and scarf, preparing to face the chilly February weather outside. I stepped out of the studio, the cold air hitting my face and making me shiver. The campus was quiet.

I walked along the winding paths, my boots crunching against the thin layer of snow that dusted the ground. The bare trees stood like sentinels, their branches reaching up towards the grey sky. A few stubborn leaves clung to the twigs, remnants of the autumn that had long since passed.

The buildings of Crestwood loomed around me, their gothic architecture both beautiful and imposing. I hurried past the library, its tall windows dark and empty. The clock tower chimed in the distance, a reminder of the passing time.

As I approached the dormitories, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The news of the deaths and the new security measures had cast a pall over the usually vibrant campus. Students hurried to their destinations, heads down and eyes averted.

I reached Michael's dorm, my heart beating faster despite the troubling circumstances. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves as I knocked on his door. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I needed to see him, to talk about everything that had happened.

The door swung open, revealing Michael's familiar face. He looked tired, his eyes shadowed and his jaw clenched. He stepped aside, letting me into his room. The warmth enveloped me, a welcome respite from the cold outside.

"Hey," I said softly, unsure of how to begin. "Did you hear about... everything?"

Michael nodded, his expression grim. "Yeah, it's all over campus. The dean's implementing new safety measures, and there's talk of canceling events."

I sat down on the edge of his bed, my hands twisting in my lap. "I just can't believe it. Emily, the Bratva, Nathan Wolfe... it's all so surreal."

Michael sat beside me, his presence both comforting and unsettling. "I know. It's a lot to take in. But you know I'll protect you. Everything I do is to make sure you're safe."

I looked up at him, searching his face for answers I knew he couldn't give. The world felt like it was shifting beneath my feet, and I didn't know how to find my balance. But with Michael by my side, I felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, we could weather this storm together.

I shook my head, trying to process everything that had happened. "How were Liam and Sawyer?" I asked, dropping my bag on the floor and taking a seat on my futon.

Michael quirked an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips. "Uh oh," he teased. "Already asking me about other men? Should I be concerned?"

I rolled my eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth despite the heaviness of the situation. "I just meant, since their dad died," I clarified.

Michael's expression sobered slightly. "Honestly, I'm not close to them," he admitted. "But they didn't seem too bothered when I saw them at practice. In fact, Sawyer seemed chipper. Then again, he just got married to Rika, so maybe that's why…"

I shook my head in disbelief. "That's crazy," I murmured.

"What?" Michael asked, tilting his head.

"Just… getting married," I said, my thoughts swirling. "Doing it so young."

A mischievous glint entered Michael's eyes. "You wouldn't marry me if I asked you to?" he asked, quirking a brow.

My heart skipped a beat at his words. "I…" I laughed nervously, my stomach fluttering with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "Oh, come on, Michael. Are you… are you asking me?"

I searched his face, trying to gauge if he was serious or just teasing. The idea of marrying Michael, of spending the rest of my life with him, sent a thrill through me. But we were so young, and with everything going on, the thought of such a big commitment was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Michael leaned closer, his eyes locked on mine. "And if I was?" he whispered, his breath tickling my skin.

I swallowed hard, my pulse racing. "Michael, I…"

He chuckled softly, breaking the tension. "Relax, Ads. I'm just messing with you."

I let out a shaky laugh, trying to calm my racing heart. "Right, of course."

But as we sat there, the weight of the day's events still heavy in the air, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. With so much uncertainty and danger lurking in the shadows, the idea of a lifetime with Michael seemed both a distant dream and a precious hope to cling to.

I bit my lip, my mind swirling with thoughts.

"What is it?" Michael asked, kneeling in front of me and placing his hands on my thighs. A thin layer of tights separated him from touching my skin. "You always bite your lips when something's bothering you."

"Am I that obvious?" I asked, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

"I pay attention to what I care about," he said, his eyes locked on mine.

I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I just… when you went to practice… how was Eren?" I finally asked, my voice soft and uncertain.

"Eren?" Michael repeated, an edge creeping into his voice.

I looked away from his penetrating gaze, unable to meet his eyes. "I don't want anything to happen to your friendship because of me," I explained, my heart heavy. "I know you guys have been friends for so long, and I would hate to be the reason you guys weren't friends anymore."

Michael was silent for a long moment, the weight of my words hanging in the air between us. I could feel the tension radiating from him, his hands still resting on my thighs.

"Eren didn't show up today," he finally said, his voice low and controlled. "Coach was pissed."

I looked up at him, surprised. "He didn't? But why?"

Michael shrugged, his jaw clenched. "I don't know. But I'm not going to let it affect my game. Or us."

I nodded slowly, trying to process this new information. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, wondering if Eren's absence had something to do with me, with the complicated situation we found ourselves in.

"I just don't want to come between you two," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Michael's grip on my thighs tightened slightly, his eyes boring into mine. "You're not coming between us, Ads. Eren made his choices. And I've made mine."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing at the intensity of his gaze. I knew that Michael's feelings for me ran deep, that he would do anything to protect me and keep me safe. But I also knew that his friendship with Eren was important to him, and I hated the thought of being the reason it crumbled.

As we sat there in the quiet of his room, the weight of the day's events and the uncertainty of the future pressing down on us, I couldn't help but wonder what the coming days would bring. With danger lurking in the shadows and tensions running high, I knew that navigating the complicated web of relationships and loyalties would be a challenge.

"Do you remember Jamie Blevons?" Michael asked, his voice low and serious.

I paused, searching my memory. "Jamie Blevons? He went to school with us, right?"

Michael nodded, his eyes distant. "My parents and his were close," he said. "We played hockey together. Honestly, if he was still alive, he would have been drafted, maybe even number one. He was that good."

Goosebumps prickled my skin. Why was he telling me this?

"Do you remember how he died?" Michael asked, his gaze intense.

I scrunched my brows, trying to recall. "I thought he drowned in Lake Michigan," I said hesitantly.

Michael nodded. "Jet ski accident," he confirmed. "It was May 27, Memorial Day. We just had tryouts for Triple A hockey and our parents thought we deserved a break after so much work. Jamie and I were on jet skis while our parents were drinking and grilling. Jamie was on one jet ski, and I was on the other. We were both fucking around on the water. But I noticed something in the water and didn't call it out in time. He hit the wood and went flying. We think he knocked his head into something and he drowned."

My mouth dropped open in shock, my heart aching for the young life lost and the burden Michael had carried all these years.

"I lost him, Ads," Michael said, his voice raw with emotion. "Because I wasn't paying attention to him. But now, I pay attention to those I care about. And more than that, I remove threats."

His words hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and overwhelmed. I stared at Michael, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to process the depth of his feelings for me.

"You are the only person in my life who means anything to me," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "Eren is a friend, but you? You're everything . I would gladly sacrifice a thousand Erens to have you look at me, to simply acknowledge my existence in your world, let alone be with me."

My breath left me, my body trembling with the intensity of his declaration. I couldn't speak, couldn't find the words to express the emotions swirling inside me.

"Do you understand what I mean?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

I nodded, my throat tight with emotion.

"I love you, Addison," he told me, his words filled with a fierce sincerity that took my breath away. "If you told me to give up my hockey career, I would, without question. If you told me to kill any girl who touched me, I would. I would carve out my heart and hand it to you just to see you smile. Anyone who makes you sad? That's a threat. Anyone who hurts you? That's a threat. I will not lose you."

He leaned closer to me, still on his knees, his hands gripping my thighs. His touch sent shivers down my spine, igniting a fire deep within me.

"You're mine," he said, his voice low and possessive. "That means forever. You're not leaving me. Not ever. So, no, we don't have to get married, but you're it for me. What I need to know from you is… do you feel the same way for me? When you told me you loved me, did you mean it?"