“Just stop!” She shoved to her feet and snatched one of the crutches off the ground, shoving it under her arm. “Can you just…go away for the rest of the day?”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want you here!”
“Why?” I pressed.
“Because I’m horny and I want you to fuck me!” she finally shouted.
I was not expecting that, and even more absurd, the thought of fucking her like this made me queasy. She was injured, and I wasn’t sure I had it in me to be gentle with her at any time.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Scoffing, she hobbled to the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. The woman was so damn stubborn, and I had a feeling it was only going to get worse as the weeks wore on. It didn’t help that I couldn’t seem to figure out what was going on in my head.
And Deke had been blowing up my phone, asking when I would get back in the ring. I told him I had a family emergency, and luckily, that held him off for the time being, but it wouldn’twork for much longer. If I didn’t get back to work, he’d walk away, and it would blow my chance at getting my life back.
But I couldn’t leave Cassidy right now.
Not just because she was in danger, but because my head was still fucked up over the accident. I couldn’t stop seeing her lying on the pavement with blood gushing from her body. No matter how hard I tried to wipe the memories from my head, I kept waking up in a cold sweat, reaching out for her, only to remember that I was relegated to the couch where I couldn’t reassure myself that she was okay.
I snagged the clothes that had fallen out of her dresser and folded them, then shoved them back in the drawers. Then I stood there, trying to figure out a way to get through to her. To make her see that I only wanted to help her.
Just as I was about to go bang on the bathroom door, the doorbell rang. I really hoped it wasn’t her parents. That wouldn’t end well. Luckily, it was Alyssa waiting at the door. Maybe she could talk some sense into Cassidy.
“Hey,” I greeted her, stepping aside to let her in.
She shivered, rubbing her hands together as she came inside. “How’s Cassidy?”
“Pissed at me. Angry that anyone’s staying with her.”
“Well, why don’t I give you a break,” she smiled. “I’ll stay with her while you head to the gym.”
“Why would I?—”
“Because Deke is calling around town, trying to figure out where he can find you. For now, everyone’s keeping it a secret, but that won’t last forever.”
“Fucking Deke,” I muttered.
“Go. I’ll stay with her while you get some gym time in.”
I didn’t want to leave her. Hell, I didn’t like the idea of her being here with Alyssa while Austin was still out there. But it wasdaylight, and it was unlikely he’d make a move when everyone could see him.
“Keep the door locked.”
“I won’t let her out of my sight.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.”
34
CASSIDY
“Hey!Get your ass out here and drink with me!”
I flung the door open, glaring at Alyssa, even though I was happy to see her. “Did he send you here?”
Smirking, she grabbed my crutches that were leaning against the doorframe and shoved them at me. “He did not. I sent him away so we could have some fun.”
