Page 86 of Undeniable
The heart monitor’s beeping picked up as Kurtis shifted uncomfortably in his bed. “Be careful.”
“I know what Shane is capable of.” I was a walking advertisement for what his goons could do.
My mom followed me out into the hallway, her heels clicking hard against the polished floor. “I can get the money out of the bank on Monday. But you’re not going by yourself.”
I bent over and kissed her. “You’re not coming with me, but I’m not going alone.”
Ryker wouldn’t allow me to do something that dangerous by myself. But I had a different plan that would seal the deal for good. One that would make sure Shane Blackwood thinks twice before ever coming near my family again.
29
Lucas
I pulled into Mazzie’s mom’s house later that day after talking with Ryker about Shane Blackwood and my plan to pay him off. I also stopped by Coach’s office to explain the situation. He was flabbergasted and pissed when I walked in battered and bruised. Nevertheless, I needed him to know what I was doing. I didn’t want him to find out through his contacts he had at the casino. I couldn’t ruin any chances of being benched for an entire season in the event something went awry with Shane. In addition, I needed his help.
On my way there, I’d reached out to Shane, but his voicemail picked up. So I left a message that if he wanted his money, he should meet me on Monday at my house. With my plan coming together, I felt more confident that after I paid off Shane, he wouldn’t bother Kurtis, me, or anyone in my family again.
After I cut the engine, I sat still for a beat. I had no idea what I was about to walk into. My thoughts were an ocean filled with what-ifs. What if Mazzie was sick, as in terminally sick? What if she was breaking up with me? What if she was moving to Ohio to stay with her dad now that her mom had been sentenced to a year?
Dude, you’re driving yourself crazy. Go in. That was my problem. I was suddenly scared to hear what she had to say.
It was now or never.
I climbed out the truck and stepped into a large puddle, remnants of the storm the day before. As I strode past Bailey’s Volvo, I felt as though I were walking to my death. My stomach dropped with each step like a plane falling from the sky.
Buck up. You take hits left and right. You were just beaten up by two men. And you’re a goddamn madman on the football field. Physical blows, I could handle. Emotional ones, not a chance in hell.
I knocked on the door, raking a hand through my hair. Seconds passed without her answering, and my heart slowed until it felt like it was barely beating.
Then the lock clicked, the door opened, and she appeared, her face tear-stained but pretty.
I had to ask. “Are you dying?”
She sobbed.
Fuck me. No. No. No.
My legs were about to give out. “Is that a yes?” I was desperate to hear her tell me something.
She stepped out of the way so I could come in. I was met with hot, sticky air and the realization that I might lose her. My pores were pouring out sweat as my anxiety climbed the charts. I would take beating after beating from Shane’s goons rather than deal with losing Mazzie.
The sound of the door clicking shut made me jump as I dodged boxes in the living room.
“What’s going on?” I asked, on the verge of bawling myself.
She hugged herself as she stood on the tile floor facing me.
I had to sit before my legs gave out so I sank into a chair. “Mazzie, if you don’t say something, I’m going to die.” I hated to exaggerate, but I couldn’t take the brick wall of tension.
The fabric of the chair felt hard beneath me as I fixated on her. She wore a loose top that hung over her tight capris. Her hair was up in a messy bun, her smooth skin along her neck and face were blotchy, and those eyes I loved were once again as red as an overripe tomato. She was stealing the wind out of me.
Several seconds—or minutes—of silence that felt like hours or even days increased the tension between us.
I wiped the sweat off my neck. “Midnight, talk to me.”
She chewed on a fingernail. “I… That day in Ryker’s sister’s room. Remember?” She frowned. “I saw a side of you that defied all the rumors I’d ever heard about the campus golden boy.”
Natalia had started her breakup speech in a similar way.
