Maya's POV
My phone rang the moment I stepped outside the library.
I stopped walking.
My heart dropped before I even checked the screen, like my body already knew.
Unknown number.
I stared at it for two seconds too long before answering.
"Hello?" I said.
"Maya Thompson," a deep voice said. "This is Coach Ramirez. I need to see you. Now."
My chest tightened. "Yes, sir."
"Come to my office," he said. "Don't be late."
The call ended.
I stood there, phone still pressed to my ear, my mind spinning fast.
Coach Ramirez.
The way he had been watching us in the library came back to me in sharp detail. The way his eyes did not miss anything.
I swallowed hard and started walking.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
By the time I reached his office door, my palms were damp and my stomach was in knots. I knocked once.
"Come in," he said.
I pushed the door open.
Coach Ramirez sat behind his desk, hands folded, eyes calm but sharp. He looked up and studied me like I was part of a test.
"Sit," he said.
I did.
The silence stretched. He did not rush. He liked this. I could tell.
"You tutor Liam Carter," he said finally.
"Yes, sir," I answered.
"You spend time with him outside practice," he added.
"Yes," I said. "For school."
He leaned back slightly. "You were with him in the library last night."
My heart thudded. "Yes."
He nodded once. "And I noticed you talking closely."
I kept my face still. "We were discussing class work."
"Mm," he said. "That's interesting."
My fingers curled into my lap.
He stood up and walked slowly around the desk. Each step felt loud.
"Liam is important to this team," he said. "Very important."
"I know," I said quietly.
"He's under a lot of pressure," Coach Ramirez continued. "And pressure makes people talk."
I looked up at him. "Talk about what?"
He stopped walking.
"That's what I'm asking you," he said.
My pulse jumped.
"Has Liam mentioned any physical problems to you?" he asked.
The room felt smaller.
This was it.
I heard Liam's voice in my head. Please. Don't tell anyone.
I took a breath.
"No," I said.
Coach Ramirez's eyes searched my face.
"He hasn't said anything about pain?" he asked.
"No," I repeated.
"Not even jokingly?" he pressed.
"No, sir."
Another pause.
He stepped closer and rested his hands on the desk.
"You're sure?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. My voice was steady, even though my chest felt tight.
He studied me for a long moment.
Then he smiled.
It was slow. Cold.
"Good," he said.
Relief rushed through me for half a second.
Then he kept talking.
"Because people who interfere with my players tend to regret it."
My breath caught.
"I'm not interfering," I said quickly. "I'm just his tutor."
He nodded. "That's what I like to hear."
He walked back to his chair and sat down.
"You seem like a smart girl, Maya," he said. "You know your place."
The words stung.
"I just want to help him pass his classes," I said.
"And that's all you should want," he replied.
I nodded, even though something inside me twisted.
He waved his hand. "You can go."
I stood up slowly.
As I reached the door, his voice stopped me.
"One more thing," he said.
I turned back.
"Liam needs focus," Coach Ramirez said. "Distractions can hurt a team."
"I understand," I said.
"Do you?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied.
He smiled again. "Good. Because I would hate for something unnecessary to happen."
I nodded once more and left.
The hallway felt too bright. Too loud.
I walked fast, my thoughts racing.
I had lied.
I had protected Liam.
And Coach Ramirez knew more than he was saying.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
Liam.
Liam: Did he talk to you?
I stopped walking.
Maya: Yes.
Three dots appeared right away.
Liam: What did you say?
I stared at the screen.
Maya: I told him nothing.
A few seconds passed.
Liam: Thank you.
The word felt heavy.
I leaned against the wall, my legs weak.
This was getting bigger.
I pushed myself off the wall and headed back toward the library. I needed to clear my head. I needed quiet.
As I walked inside, I saw Liam near the shelves.
He looked up when he saw me.
Relief flashed across his face, then worry.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
"I lied," I said.
His shoulders sagged. "I'm sorry."
"I said I wouldn't tell," I replied. "But your coach scares me."
He frowned. "He's intense."
"That's not the word I'd use," I said.
Liam looked around and lowered his voice. "What did he say?"
"He warned me," I said. "About interfering."
His jaw tightened. "That's his way."
"That doesn't make it right," I said.
"I know," he said quietly.
We stood there, both tense.
"I don't want you dragged into this," he added.
"Too late," I said.
He looked at me, guilt clear in his eyes.
"I'll fix it," he said.
"How?" I asked.
He hesitated. "I don't know yet."
My phone buzzed again.
Unknown number.
I frowned and opened the message.
Coach Ramirez: Smart choice today.
My stomach dropped.
I looked up at Liam.
"What?" he asked.
"He texted me," I said.
His eyes widened. "What did he say?"
I showed him the screen.
His face went pale.
"He shouldn't be texting you," he said.
"But he is," I replied.
Another message came in.
Coach Ramirez: Remember what we discussed.
My heart pounded.
I looked at Liam, fear rising in my chest.
"He's watching," I whispered.
Liam clenched his fists. "This is my fault."
"No," I said. "It's not."
But even as I said it, I wasn't sure.
Because I had made a promise.
And now I was caught between protecting Liam and protecting myself.
And I had a terrible feeling that very soon, I would have to choose.