“I should be asking howyouare,” I counter, needing to move on.
“I’m fine.” He answers the same way I did. “But I don’t think Hayley was referring to the physical pain.”
“Right. I knew that.”What’s with everyone asking about my mental health?I’m fine. “But…” I trail off, not really sure what to say, and Hayley gives me an out.
“I’m sorry, Zane.” She walks forward and lightly grips my arm, her expression broken, while I internally wince. “I’m grateful but sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” I awkwardly pat her hand before stepping out of her reach. “I did what anyone would have done in my situation.”
“That may be true for some of it. But I don’t think I would have coped if not for you.”
“Nah, I don’t believe that.” My eyes flash to the wound below Reed’s rib cage. “You would have stayed strong for Reed. Youdidn’t even notice you’d been cut until the medic asked you about it.” My gaze shifts and I point to her arm, smiling when she grimaces. “You only had eyes for Reed. Speaking of, it’s good to see you awake, man. You had us all worried.”
“Believe me, I would have woken sooner if I’d known. Thank you for waiting around. I appreciate it.”
“Ah, no worries.” I swallow as I nod. “I had to take a few days off practice anyway, so where else was I going to go?” I lie with a laugh. I’m still not sure how long it will be before they let me practice again, but I’ll be fighting to make it sooner rather than later.
The conversation moves on to Reed’s injury and then my hope of playing again next week, and when there’s a natural lull in our discussion, I sneak a glance at the exit. Trying to be subtle, I take a step closer, ready to say my goodbyes, but I’ve barely opened my mouth when Reed stops me.
“Zane, wait.” I grip the armchair beside me, forcing a smile as my breath shakes. We’ve managed to avoid specifically talking about the event that brought us here up until now, but I feel my luck has run dry. “I know you’re going to brush me off, but I need to say this. You arenotto blame for what happened. I’m not sure how much you’ve been told, but he was stalking Hayley, following her around and taking pictures. He knew where she lived, he…” He trails off before shaking his head. “He knew a lot about her.”
“About us,” Hayley adds.
Reed’s eyes flash to hers before he continues. “I have no idea what he wanted that night, but he hurt Hayley and he had a knife. Please don’t let his current situation weigh on your mind.”
Fuck. He was stalking them? A memory of that night comes to my mind and I curse softly.
The “he” they’re referring to is our teammate, Landon. Or Mr. Mckenna as everyone keeps calling him. The fucker that pulleda knife on his mentor. The asshole that stabbed me. The coward that’s lying in a coma, holding the power to ruin my life.
“I swear I knew something was off when he walked past me. But I couldn’t pick it. I’m sorry you went through all that. Don’t worry about me. Just look after yourselves.”
No matter how often people tell me it’s not my fault, it doesn’t stop the little voice that tells me they’re lying. I was the one that tackled him to the ground. I was the one that smashed his head into the concrete when he tried to stab me a second time. But worse than that… If he dies, he won’t be the first death on my conscience.
How can it not be my fault?
I’m home three days later, pacing my hallway when my phone buzzes with a notification.
Easton added you to a group
The fuck?I pause, watching in real time as two messages come through.
EASTON: Welcome to the group, Zane
EASTON: Or what I like to call it… Hell
I can’t stop the laugh that bursts out of me, though I’m not sure if it’s funny ha ha or funny because I’m so goddamn confused.
ZANE: With that introduction, I’m not sure I want to be here
LUKE: You’re going to love it
Luke’s on the chat? What is going on here?
ZANE: I thought you hated me
LUKE: People change. Feelings change
EASTON: That’s funny coming from you, Luke
