Page 104 of Maximum Dare
“There was nothing in the place to indicate it was their hangout,” added Nick. “This guy just walks up to me with his mates. I didn’t know him. Found out afterwards he’s Hugo White…Morgan’s ex. She dated him right before me.”
My back stiffened. “Did he pick a fight?”
“He and his friends started throwing beer mats at us. They were drunk. We went to leave. Got outside the bar and he tried to get Morgan to stay. He wouldn’t let go of her arm.”
“Who threw the first punch?”
He sighed. “It was all very quick.”
“What was White saying, Nick?”
He shrugged. “He insisted they were still together.”
I started to ask if they still were, but then thought better of it.
I rubbed a hand over my face. “Was this reported to the police?”
“There were no other witnesses. It’s their word against ours.”
“Street cameras?”
“Maybe.”
“We’ll look into it.” I could sense he thought the effort would be futile.
We’d all invested our hearts into getting Nick to the top, and in one evening his universe had been tilted off its axis. Ours, too…
His eyes filled with tears. “I’ve thrown it all way.”
“You’re getting the best care possible. We’ll have you running around in no time.”
He nodded, a hopeful expression appearing on his face. “Dr. Patel’s the best there is. Mum made sure of that.”
“We’re here for you, Nick. Whatever we can do.”
“I’m such an idiot,” he said. “I had a few drinks and wasn’t thinking straight. We should have just walked away.”
“What was Morgan doing during the fight?” I asked softly.
Nick shook his head, refusing to answer. I didn’t want to go there, didn’t want to think of her making the scene worse.
I rested my hand on his shoulder. “Are you in pain?”
“I’m taking hydrocodone.” He gave me a tired smile. “Mum’s scared I’ll get addicted.”
“No, because we won’t let that happen.”
“Thank you for coming here.”
“I’m in England for you, you know that.”
“But apparently you’ve met someone?”
I frowned at him. “Who told you?”
“Mum.”
I studied his face, waiting for him to sayhername.
