I don’t care who this guy is or where he played football, I’m not about to tell them why I punched that creep. Piper’s been through enough, and I will not pull her into this mess.
Malik turns back to the monitors, clearly expecting this response. He taps out a few commands and Piper and Mike McConnell appear on-screen.
My blood heats at the sight of that creep cornering my girl and my fingers curl around the arms of the chair. As frustrated as I am that she didn’t tell me about the blackmail, I understand it. Our upbringings were not the same, and she’s only ever had herself to rely on.
The scene plays out all over again on screen and I watch as my fist connects with Mike’s jaw.
It’s just as satisfying the second time around.
Beside me, Coach Walker is silent.
I can only imagine what he’s thinking right now. The guy has had my back from day one at Waverly and this isn’t the kind of behavior he can condone.
Malik freezes the scene as Mike climbs to his feet on-screen. “The police are on their way. We’ll have to turn this video over to them as evidence.”
Shit. I’m going to be arrested.
My gut hardens at the realization and all it implies.
This is far bigger than missing today’s game. Bigger than letting my team and coaches down. My mom is going to find out about this and she’s going to be so disappointed.
Hell, she might have to bail me out of jail.
Fuck. I’m going to have a mug shot.
Gran will probably put it on next year’s Christmas card.
It doesn’t matter. What’s done is done and I can’t bring myself to regret it.
The way Mike was talking about Piper… The names he called her…
My grip tightens on the arm of the chair. “I’m prepared to face the consequences of my actions.”
Coach Walker clears his throat. “Is this really necessary? Brady is a good kid. He’s never been in trouble before and I’m sure there are extenuating circumstances. If he could just explain—”
“It’s out of my hands,” Malik says firmly. “The other party wants to press charges and hotel policy requires us to notify the police of any criminal activity that takes place on the property.”
Criminal activity.
Christ. That phrase takes on a whole new meaning.
There’s a knock at the door and the second guard peers out, whispering with the newcomer. When he turns back to us, his face is unreadable, but he jerks his head toward the hall and both guards step out of the room, closing the door behind them.
Coach Walker turns to me, brow creased with worry. “Want me to call your mom?”
“No.” I scrub a hand over my face. “She’ll find out soon enough.”
And I’d prefer she not see me taken away in handcuffs.
“Son, I can’t help you if you don’t help yourself. What the hell just happened back there?”
“Does it matter? They’ve got me dead to rights.”
I can’t exactly deny it was my fist cracking Mike’s jaw.
My knuckles throb in confirmation.
“You’re the last person I expect this shit from.” He huffs out a frustrated breath. “Langley? Sure. But you?”
