Page 57 of Misconduct Zone

“Vhat are you most afraid of?”

“The last time this happened…” I explain my relationship with Boe and how it ended.

Chapter 29

Dylon

There’s a light blinking on the hotel phone when I open my eyes. The clock reads 7 a.m. I’m going to be late for the plane. Leaving the bottle on the nightstand, I retrieve my phone from the bathroom, and there’s no time for the number of missed calls and texts.

I open my rideshare apps and realize with the traffic, it will be faster if I run home. The elevator is too slow so I plow down the stairs and out of the lobby at a dead run.

In hindsight, I should’ve called or texted Lars to ask him to grab some suits for me. He might have left without me. If we were together, he’d be hustling me out the door.

The professionals on their way to work do not appreciate a six-foot-tall man running like the world is ending. They yell obscenities at me, but I can’t slow down.

The doorman looks relieved and hurries to push the elevator button for me. I’m out of breath as I key in the code to our apartment and am shocked to run into Finn with a murderous expression.

“If you don’t have a good excuse for this, I’ll make your life miserable,” he hollers.

Lars flies in from the other room, and I think he’s going to crash into me, but he pulls back and I glance at a stoic Patrik.

“Are you okay?” Lars pats me down, searching for injuries. “Where did you sleep? We were worried sick.” His hair sticks up like he’s been running his fingers through it, and his dress shirt is buttoned wrong.

“I was at a hotel. I texted. No big deal,” I say defensively. I regret the words as soon as I say them. Again, the words echo from my past.

Lars rears back as if I’ve struck him, and his hands fall from my shoulders. “You were not fine. Your message was incoherent. I thought you were dead.” His voice shakes.

“That’s dramatic, isn’t it?” I joke to lighten the mood. A horrible mistake.

The pain on Lars’s face is hauntingly real, and Patrik makes a sound of disgust.

“I’m here.” Trevor backs into me, swinging the door I left ajar fully open, wheeling Patrik’s luggage. He throws his arms around me. “Thank god! We were going out of our minds with worry.”

“I went to a hotel,” I say dumbly, and Trevor clucks his tongue.

“Here’s your fucking suitcase, Mr. It’s No Big Deal,” Finn spits out and thrusts it at me. “You’re fucking welcome, asshole.”

“What’d I do?” Attempting to shield myself from their anger, I cross my arms protectively over my chest. I already went through hell and need support, not a lecture. I’m barely a functioning human, and I need my friends. Need a hug. Something besides their disapproval and anger.

Patrik speaks in Czech, and from his tone and the look on his face, he’s pissed at me.

“I know, Snug.” Trevor stands on his toes and grabs Patrik’s cheeks. “Vince is downstairs, so kiss me goodbye.”

“You have your keys?” I ask Lars, wanting to get him alone to explain what happened. That I left yesterday for us. For our future. For him.

“He’s not driving.” Finn punches my arm. “None of us slept last night.” He circles his finger to the group.

“I didn’t ask for that.” I should apologize for worrying them, but they have no idea how hard last night was. They don’t know anything, but I’m the villain. I sent a text so thiswouldn’t happen.

“No, you just went to a hotel and ignored us all. Now I’m doing damage control because you couldn’t follow instructions.” Finn storms out, and Lars follows behind him without a word.

It takes me three seconds to throw a suit on and grab the handle of my bag, rolling it awkwardly to the elevator where Lars won’t look at me, and Patrik and Trevor are exchanging I-love-yous.

The car and plane ride suck ass. Lars won’t speak to me and sits with Patrik for our nonstop flight to Germany. I left for one night. One. I didn’t hurt anyone. Anyone but me.

“Has Finn killed you for the picture yet?” Austin asks from across the aisle.

“What picture?” All my nerves are frayed, needing sleep without temptation.

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