Guilt ravages my insides. I’ve let him down.
Add it to the list.
I’m disappointing a lot of people today, but I can’t bring myself to be sorry. I will never stand by while someone hurts Piper, physically or emotionally. And, yeah, there was probably a better solution than punching the guy, but I lost my head.
Never again.
I’m not sorry, but I’m not cool with violence and I don’t plan to make a habit of punching everyone who pisses me off in the future.
Coach Walker shifts his chair so he’s facing me straight on. “If you’re in trouble, I can help, but I need you to tell me what’s going on.”
I grin in spite of myself. “I appreciate the offer, Coach, but I think this is outside your area of expertise.” What I need is a lawyer. I glance at the clock on the wall. Kickoff is in ninety minutes. “Shouldn’t you be at the stadium?”
“Brady, I love the game, but I love my players more. You kids are like family to me.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll be here as long as you need me.”
My throat tightens and I nod. “Thanks, Coach.”
“That said, it would’ve been nice if you could have picked a different day to be arrested,” he grumbles. “Coach Collins is going to kick both our asses.”
He’s only half kidding and we sit in silence for what feels like an eternity.
Finally, the door swings open and the security director returns.
“The police have arrived.”
Every muscle in my body tenses. This is really happening. I’m going to be cuffed and marched out through the lobby for all the world to see.
“The victim has decided not to press charges after all.” Relief floods my system and I slump into my chair. “He told my men it was a…misunderstanding. You’re free to go, Mr. Vaughn.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice. My ass is out of that chair in an instant.
I just dodged a bullet. I have no clue why Mike changed his mind, and I’m not sure I care. It’s a gift, and I’m grateful beyond words to receive it as I turn to Coach Walker. “What do you say we go win ourselves a national championship?”
40
PIPER
The lobby has cleared out,but the quiet does nothing to settle my nerves or my racing heart. I’m perched on the edge of a plush couch, uncertain what to do next. Mike agreed not to press charges, but will that be enough for the police, or will Brady still be in trouble? A place like this must have security cameras and there were a zillion witnesses.
Even if he’s released, will he be allowed to play today or will he be kicked off the team?
Coach Collins isn’t known for being warm and squishy. According to Jenna, the man is a known hardass.
Shit. My stupid mistakes are going to cause Brady to miss the game and the Wildcats are going to lose, and it’s going to be all my fault.
Imagine how Brady feels.
Impossible. What I’m feeling can’t be a tenth of what he and the other guys on the team go through daily with the expectations of Wildcat Nation pressing down.
It’s suffocating.
I scan the lobby. I need to do something. Find Brady, call his mom, or at least—
Brady emerges from a corridor near the elevators and my heart sings. I’m on my feet in an instant, rushing toward him and when he spots me, he spreads his arms wide. I leap into his embrace, wrapping myself around him like a monkey on a tree.
He buries his face in my hair and I inhale his familiar outdoorsy scent as my heart finally settles into a normal rhythm.
“I was so scared,” I murmur, squeezing him tight.
