“It’s because of that asshole,” I growl, holding him tighter, needing his touch, to know he’s okay, he’s with me and safe.
“Well, that asshole is out of the hospital luckily.” Brody’s voice has me turning around.
“What are you doing here?”
“Gee, thanks. That's how you talk to the person who bails you out?”
“You're the one who bailed me out?” My eyes widen.
“Of course I did. If Ellie found out and I didn’t help, she would kill me. Plus, after everything you’ve done for my girl, it’s the least I could do.”
“Did you tell her?”
He shakes his head. “No one knows.”
“Thank fuck.” I sigh out a breath. “I don’t want to worry my dad.”
“What you should be worried about is not just your position on the team, but your position at the school. I want to be so fucking pissed at you man, because you’re in some hot water and it’s not just with Mickey and his family. But...” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing if someone put their hands on Ellie or Jax. I’d be in the same position. Hell, even if it was Rain, Chase or Theo. So, I know how you feel. But maybe think about anger management classes.”
I glare at him. “I don’t have an anger issue for fucksakes. The only times I’ve ever laid a hand on someone was that asshole.”
“You’ve hit him before?” Brody’s brows pull together.
“Both times were because of me,” Blake says with so much guilt. He has nothing to feel guilty for.
“What do you mean?” Brody asks.
“At a party earlier last year, Mickey cornered me and threatened to kick my ass if I didn’t tutor him. And by tutoring, he meant doing the work for him. When I said no, that I was done with him treating me like shit, and this wasn’t high school anymore, he was about to follow through when Cooper found us. He defended me, but it was only a punch to the face.”
“And when I found out all the details of what that scum has done to Blake in the past, seeing him put his hands on my fucking man again sent me into a rage.” I snarl.
Brody looks around. “Not here.” He shakes his head. “Come on. You're free to go. You just have to make sure to go to your court hearing, whenever that is.”
Nodding, we head out of the station. Brody stops us at the car. “I understand why you did what you did, and I’m going to do what I can to make sure you at the very least don’t get kickedout of school,” Brody says to me then looks at Blake. “Have you thought about pressing charges for all the things Mickey has done to you in the past? If he’s going to push what happened with Cooper, it might be something to look into.”
“I’ll think about it,” Blake murmurs.
Brody nods, then turns to me. “You have a meeting with Theo tomorrow morning. I’ll have a talk with him tonight and see what I can do.”
“Okay, thanks man.” We do our bro hug and he gets into his car.
When he pulls out and leaves, Blake looks up at me. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
I pull him into my arms again, burying my face into the top of his head. “As long as you're okay, I’ll be okay.”
We stand there for a moment, just holding one another. I don’t think the gravity of this moment has really sunk in yet.
I could lose everything I worked so fucking hard for. Football isn’t the end of the world, we only have a few games left and while I’d love to be with my team when they get the win, I’d much rather be able to walk across the stage with Blake.
I still don’t regret it. I’d choose the same choice over and over again. Nothing means more to me than Blake and his safety.
We’re quiet as we get into Blake’s car and drive to my house. Quiet as we walk in and head up to my room. Quiet as we undress down to our boxers and get under the sheets.
Wrapping my arms around him, his back to my front, I breathe in his comforting scent, murmuring I love you so fucking much before I drift off to sleep.
My night is restless, nightmares haunt me of what could have happened to Blake if I didn’t get there in time.
But I did get there, and I vow to the fucking world that it was the last time Mickey ever lays his hands on Blake. I’ll make sure of it.
