My curiosity is getting the best of me again, and I know I might be treading on thin ice if Dallas realizes that I’ve seen Clay’s medical paperwork, but I’d noticed that Dallas had been listed as the emergency contact for Clay’s recent hospital visit instead of one of his siblings, which had struck me as unusual as the time. Since I’ve spoken to Clay, his secrecy has only gotten more suspicious. Given their friendship, I wonder whether Dallas knows more about what Clay’s up to then his family. I take a deep breath, prepared to ask even if that means a scolding from Dallas.
“So... what are you and Clay up to tonight?”
Chapter 13 – Maggie
Dallas gives me a long, sideways look, his eyes lingering as if he’s about to say something but holds back.?
I was hoping my casual demeanor would be convincing enough. I try to play up the whole,I’m just a twenty-year-old, what could I possibly know?act, banking on my innocent appearance. But apparently, you can’t outsmart a former Marine.
“Why do you ask?” he responds, coolly.
I shrug innocently, “Just making conversation.”
“Bullshit,” he responds as if he’s bored with my games.
I puff out a breath of air. “Fine. You’re right. Is he doing something illegal? I know he’s engaged in some sort of extracurricular activity that isn’t safe,” I lower my voice so no one else in the co-op can hear.
“Oh, youknowthat, Maggie?”
I nod my head rapidly. “I work at the hospital. I took the X-rays for his rib contusion and spent the night at his apartment when he got discharged since he wasn’t supposed to be alone.I saw your name listed as his emergency contact on the intake paperwork.”
He folds his arms over his broad chest. “Isn’t that a violation of patient confidentiality?”
Second person to ask me that in a matter of a few weeks...
I shrug in response.
He chuckles, the sound unexpected and almost disarming coming from his serious frame. Taking a step back, he studies me intently, as if he’s deciding whether I’m trustworthy. I straighten my posture, trying to convey that I can keep a secret.
“I’m not one to spill someone’s business,” Dallas says, giving me a warning look, “but it sounds like you already know more than 99% of his family does. He could use the support, sure, but more than that—he needs to start sharing what he’s up to. If he doesn’t, he’s going to run himself into the ground, just like with that rib incident.” His voice drifts off for a moment. “The kid doesn’t know when to stop. It’s like he’s gunning for a first-class ticket to pain.”
I nod my head like I know what he’s talking about, but I’m completely lost, feeling like he’s speaking in a riddle.
He taps his fingers lightly on the table before grabbing another handful of sunflower seeds and popping them in his mouth. “You said you spent the night with him after his hospital stay?”
“Yes, well, I don’t know if it counts. He didn’t know I was there until the morning.”
Dallas raises his brow.
“Ok, I know how that sounds, I’ve just divulged two illegal things that I’ve done in a matter of one conversation, but I was doing it for his safety. He’d taken a bunch of pain medication and might have had a concussion. Either way, it wasn’t safe for him to sleep alone so… I broke into his apartment.”
His expression is completely unreadable as he continues towatch me. Suddenly, I’m nervous and feel completely out of my depth.
Why do I care what Clay does in his free time? I look like a stalker, breaking into his apartment and now digging for info.
I shake my head, “Sorry, forget I even asked. That was stupid of me.”
He’s silent for another beat before he speaks again, “You know what? This might be fun. Clay deserves to get scolded by a woman after the way he acted during his last event.”
At least someone recognizes the fact that I’m a woman and not a little girl.
“He’ll be at 78 Broad St in San Angelo at seven tonight for the fight. If you end up showing, knock on the door twice and say you’re there for the match. I doubt they’ll ask for a code since you’re a pretty, young woman, but if they do, the code is ′Angelo.’”
“Seriously? The code is ‘Angelo?’” I chuckle, trying to mask the nerves that have now surfaced after finding out Clay is mixed up in some sort of underground fight club.
Was he one of the guys fighting tonight or just watching? Is he participating in illegal betting?
My intuition says he’s fighting but imagining Clay going blow for blow in a ring makes my stomach flip.
