When Sinners Play (Sinners of Hawthorne University 1)

“I’m sorry, Dean Wells—”

The secretary’s harried voice comes from behind Gray as he strides into the office. I get a glimpse of her face over his shoulder, nervous and chagrined, before he closes the door behind him and leans against it, his posture casual.

Silence settles over the room for a second as both Wells and I blink up at him. I honestly don’t know which one of us is more surprised to see him here.

“Mr. Eastwood,” the dean says after a moment. “This is highly inappropriate. If you need to speak with me, you need to set an appointment.”

“Do I?” Gray cocks his head, seeming to consider that. “Last time I was here, I didn’t need an appointment.”

Dean Wells shifts in his seat, and I get the feeling there’s subtext in Gray’s words that

the older man can read but I can’t. He glances at me quickly, running a hand over his salt-and-pepper hair. Then he rests his palms flat on the desk and turns his attention to Gray again, his voice carefully neutral.

“What do you need, Mr. Eastwood?”

Gray smiles, a languid stretch of his lips. “I need you to tell me why you’ve got Sophie in here,” he says simply.

“I can’t—”

“You can. And you will.”

The dean hesitates, gazing at Gray as if they’re playing a chess match and he’s contemplating his next move. Then he dips his chin slightly.

“We were addressing her involvement in putting Cliff Montgomery in the hospital,” he says. “And discussing whether or not Hawthorne University has room for students that present such violent tendencies.”

“And I assume she told you that Cliff Montgomery attacked her, and that’s why he landed himself in the emergency room.”

“She… mentioned something of that nature.”

Gray tilts his head, a hard gleam entering his eyes. My gaze flicks between him and Dean Wells, trying to sort through exactly what’s happening here. Tension fills the room, but I don’t know where it came from or what it means.

Eventually, Gray speaks up again.

“You know, I wasn’t sure about coming here. There were a few other schools I was looking at, and I was courted by a few teams. But my dad wanted me to go to Hawthorne like he did. He’s proud to be an alumnus of this school… which is why he always gives so generously to your institution.”

The dean’s posture stiffens. “And we appreciate it very much, I assure you.”

“I know you do.” Gray’s smile isn’t casual anymore. It’s predatory, like a cat who’s about to swallow his prey whole. “And since it’s my family’s money that’s responsible for Sophie being here, I’m sure you understand why we’re invested in her success.”

Wells looks torn between nervousness and annoyance, and it gives his face a pinched look. “Of course. But her behavior—”

“The attack didn’t take place on school grounds. It’s not under your purview. And seeing as how no one else was there to witness the altercation, all you’re left with is a ‘he said, she said’ situation.” Gray shifts his gaze to me for a second before settling it back on the dean. “I, for one, believe Sophie.”

I stare at him, not even bothering to hide the shock on my face. I don’t know what compelled him to come here, and I don’t know what exactly he’s referring to, but I’m smart enough to understand what Gray is doing.

He’s throwing his weight behind me.

Taking my side.

Evening the playing field between me and Cliff.

I turn back to the dean to find him staring at Gray, his lips pressed together in a thin line and his hands laced so tightly together that his knuckles are turning white. Finally, he unclenches his hands, drawing in a breath as he leans back in his wing-backed chair.

“I… can see your point, Mr. Eastwood. And I suppose, all things considered, I could let Ms. Wright off with a warning at this juncture. But she will need to maintain her grades and uphold the ethical tenets of this school going forward. I cannot and will not allow Hawthorne’s reputation to suffer from this.”

Gray keeps his arms folded over his chest as he regards the dean, considering his answer. Then he nods once. “Good.”

Without saying another word, without acknowledging me or waiting to be dismissed, he opens the door and strides out of the office.