“I can’t stay here.” I force the words out.
The room goes quiet. Too quiet.
Jax says, “You can’t go home.”
I look at my hands, feeling my heart start to race.
“If you can’t go home because of your dad, and you can’t stay here… You can stay with me.” Callum says it like it’s the simplest thing in the world.
“No.” Jax and Zephyr speak at exactly the same time.
My stomach flips. Butterflies swarm, fast and chaotic. They’re so protective. I don’t know why.
Callum flashes them that boyish grin again. “Why not? Her dad won’t find her there.”
“I’ll call Coach.” Zephyr stands, pulling out his phone.
“No.” Jax’s voice cuts through the room.
Zephyr looks at him. “We can warn him and then—”
“I said no.” It’s not loud. But it’s a command.
Callum leans forward. “Why?”
“Last night,” I say, meeting Callum’s eyes. Jax and Zephyr turn their attention to me as I stutter. My skin pricks with anxiety. “Last night, Jax punched my dad.”
Everything stops.
Zephyr and Callum both turn to look at Jax. He doesn’t flinch, and he doesn’t look away from me.
I swallow hard. “Because Jax saw my dad…” The words stick in my throat. “Punch me.”
“Tiger.” Callum’s voice is different now. Wilder. Chaotic.
“Fuck.” Zephyr runs a hand through his hair, pacing to the window.
“So, nobody’s going to call Coach.” Jax doesn’t phrase it as a question.
I nod. My chest feels tight. My eyes sting again. “And I’ll stay with Callum.”
“We’ll all stay with Callum.” Jax holds my gaze.
I blink at him.
His eyes are dark and intense as he stares back. Protective. Unwavering. A promise that doesn’t need words. His actions are proof enough.
Zephyr agrees with a nod, watching me. Callum reaches for my hand, and I let him grab it.
Heat spreads through my chest, different from the burn of tears. Warmer. Safer. More terrifying.
Because for the first time in my life, I’m not alone.
And not only does one person care about my safety, but three do.
Chapter Nine: Zephyr
I walk out of the guest bedroom and head straight to my room. My duffel bag is somewhere in the closet. A couple days at Callum’s. Maybe more, depending on how psycho her dad gets.
