Kingsley Academy

Chapter 24

Kade's POV

I paced back and forth in my room, my phone gripped tightly in my hand, trying to think. There wasn't much time. I needed to get to Allison before anything else blew up, before Cole could make another move. If she stayed out in the open, people would keep talking, and God knows what Cole might do next.

I dialed her number, barely waiting for her to pick up.

"What, Kade?" Her voice came through sharp, like she didn't want to hear from me.

"Listen," I said quickly, glancing around to make sure no one could hear me. "You need to go to the boys' locker room and hide. Right now."

"What are you talking about?" she snapped. "Why would I hide?"

"Just trust me, okay? Go to the boys' locker room."

"Are you out of your mind? I'm not hiding in the boys' locker room!" she shot back, her voice full of irritation.

"Allison, please, just for once, listen to me." I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the frustration bubbling up. "Cole is going to be there and you'll hear everything from his mouth. Just hide there for a little while. I'll meet you there, and we'll figure this out."

"I'm not running and hiding like some scared kid," she said, but her voice wavered just enough that I knew she wasn't as sure as she was pretending to be.

"Yes, you are," I growled, my patience wearing thin. 

I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated but determined. "Listen to me. I'm going to get Cole to confess. He'll admit everything. But you have to hear it for yourself."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a second, I wasn't sure if she was going to hang up. Then, with a heavy sigh, she muttered, "Fine. I'll go."

Relief washed over me, but I didn't waste any time. "Good. I'm on my way."

I hung up and headed straight for the locker room, my mind racing. I didn't know how things would play out, but one thing was clear: I needed to stop Cole before he said something I couldn't take back. Especially about the bet.

When I got there, the locker room was empty, but I knew Allison was hiding somewhere nearby. Cole didn't need to know she was here.

A few minutes later, Cole strolled in, completely unaware of what was coming. His face was still bruised, swollen from the beating I'd given him earlier, but he had that same cocky grin plastered across his face.

"Well, if it isn't the big bad Kade Kingsley," he sneered, leaning against the lockers. "Come to finish what you started?"

I stepped forward, fists clenched, keeping my voice low and controlled. "You're going to tell the truth, Cole. About what you did to Allison."

He raised an eyebrow, pretending to look confused. "Truth? What truth? That she's too good for you? Or that she'll come running to me once you're out of the picture?"

I took another step toward him, my jaw tight. "I'm not playing around. You're going to tell me why you did it. Why you exposed her."

Cole's grin faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. "Why I did it? Oh, come on, man, you know why. I liked her first. She was mine before you even realized what you wanted."

My stomach twisted at his words, but I kept my expression blank. He didn't know Allison was listening. He didn't know that every word he said was making him dig his own grave.

"You liked her?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is that why you ruined her life?"

"Ruined?" Cole laughed, shaking his head. "Please. She'll come crawling to me eventually. They always do."