CHAPTER SIX #2
“Even though I fucked with your son-in-law.” Yep, to make my life more complicated, Easton is now dating Paige, D’Angelo’s daughter. It’s one big happy family here.
Sal chuckles, unaffected by my attempt to rattle him. “Future son-in-law. But yes, even so.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I turn to walk away again and my body tenses, waiting for him to call out. But he doesn’t. He lets me go. And I have to admit, it gains him a little respect.
Not that I didn’t respect him before now.
The guys may have all freaked out when he came on board and started making changes, but I’d never been a fan of the GM he fired, or the new one they hired after that.
In my opinion, Sal’s done everything he can to better the team, and he’s the one taking hit after hit with the negativity surrounding his decisions. It can’t be easy.
After scanning the hospital grounds for any more distractions, namely for a certain childhood best friend to pop up out of nowhere, I deduce that I’m safe and finally get some alone time.
But the second I do, I regret it. Because the first person to flash into my mind is the one person I’ve spent years trying not to think about. My sister.
And of course, the first memory I conjure is the last time I saw her smile. Minutes before she died.
Why the fuck am I back here again?
I’ve been walking aimlessly for an hour or so when my phone rings, the local area code taunting me on the screen. I hesitate before answering, my chest tight as I say hello.
“Mr. Fitzpatrick. This is Sergeant Holmes from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office.”
Fuck. “Hello,” I croak before clearing my throat. “Hi.” Please don’t let that fucker be dead.
“I’m calling to let you know that we spoke to Ms. Jackman and Mr. Coombs today, and at this stage you are free to go back to San Francisco.
” I breathe a sigh of relief as he continues talking.
“But you’re not clear of it yet. As I’m sure you’re aware, Mr. McKenna is still on life support, and until we learn of his fate, nothing is certain.
We’ll be in touch if we need any further information. ”
“You have my story; it’s the same whether he lives or dies.” My throat clogs again but I clear it and carry on.
“We’ll be in touch when we need you.”
“Okay, thank you.” Dick.
I hang up and find a text from Keeley, letting me know we’re due to fly home soon, meaning it’s time I grew some balls and went to see Reed.
Taking a deep breath, I pocket my phone and head back inside, not at all ready. But as ready as I’ll ever be.
The waiting area is devoid of football players by the time I walk through, and I count that as a blessing.
They’re most likely packing their bags and checking out of their hotel rooms, while my belongings are still waiting for me at the hospital reception where I left them with Cade’s keys, earning myself another “anything for you” wink.
When I reach Reed’s room, I hesitate at the open door, giving myself a little pep talk before I go in.
“Knock, knock.” I announce my arrival and push through the threshold. “Mind if I come in?”
“Of course.” Reed tries to sit up, but when Hayley gently pushes him back down, I actually smile.
“How are you?” she asks, her gaze leaving Reed’s to give me her full attention, though I wave off her concern.
“I’m fine. I don’t know why they even kept me here overnight, to be honest. It was barely a scratch.” I lift my tee to show them my not so tiny wound dressing, and Reed tries to sit up again, this time making me chuckle to avoid processing the concern on his face.
“I should be asking how you are,” I counter, needing to move on.
“I’m fine.” He answers the same way I did. “But I don’t think Hayley was referring to the physical pain.”
“Right. I knew that.” What’s with everyone asking about my mental health? I’m fine. “But…” I trail off, not really sure what to say, and Hayley gives me an out.
“I’m sorry, Zane.” She walks forward and lightly grips my arm, her expression broken, while I internally wince. “I’m grateful but sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” I awkwardly pat her hand before stepping out of her reach. “I did what anyone would have done in my situation.”
“That may be true for some of it. But I don’t think I would have coped if not for you.”
“Nah, I don’t believe that.” My eyes flash to the wound below Reed’s rib cage.
“You would have stayed strong for Reed. You didn’t even notice you’d been cut until the medic asked you about it.
” My gaze shifts and I point to her arm, smiling when she grimaces.
“You only had eyes for Reed. Speaking of, it’s good to see you awake, man. You had us all worried.”
“Believe me, I would have woken sooner if I’d known. Thank you for waiting around. I appreciate it.”
“Ah, no worries.” I swallow as I nod. “I had to take a few days off practice anyway, so where else was I going to go?” I lie with a laugh. I’m still not sure how long it will be before they let me practice again, but I’ll be fighting to make it sooner rather than later.
The conversation moves on to Reed’s injury and then my hope of playing again next week, and when there’s a natural lull in our discussion, I sneak a glance at the exit. Trying to be subtle, I take a step closer, ready to say my goodbyes, but I’ve barely opened my mouth when Reed stops me.
“Zane, wait.” I grip the armchair beside me, forcing a smile as my breath shakes.
We’ve managed to avoid specifically talking about the event that brought us here up until now, but I feel my luck has run dry.
“I know you’re going to brush me off, but I need to say this.
You are not to blame for what happened. I’m not sure how much you’ve been told, but he was stalking Hayley, following her around and taking pictures.
He knew where she lived, he…” He trails off before shaking his head. “He knew a lot about her.”
“About us,” Hayley adds.
Reed’s eyes flash to hers before he continues. “I have no idea what he wanted that night, but he hurt Hayley and he had a knife. Please don’t let his current situation weigh on your mind.”
Fuck. He was stalking them? A memory of that night comes to my mind and I curse softly.
The “he” they’re referring to is our teammate, Landon. Or Mr. Mckenna as everyone keeps calling him. The fucker that pulled a knife on his mentor. The asshole that stabbed me. The coward that’s lying in a coma, holding the power to ruin my life.
“I swear I knew something was off when he walked past me. But I couldn’t pick it. I’m sorry you went through all that. Don’t worry about me. Just look after yourselves.”
No matter how often people tell me it’s not my fault, it doesn’t stop the little voice that tells me they’re lying.
I was the one that tackled him to the ground.
I was the one that smashed his head into the concrete when he tried to stab me a second time.
But worse than that… If he dies, he won’t be the first death on my conscience.
How can it not be my fault?
I’m home three days later, pacing my hallway when my phone buzzes with a notification.
Easton added you to a group
The fuck? I pause, watching in real time as two messages come through.
EASTON: Welcome to the group, Zane
EASTON: Or what I like to call it… Hell
I can’t stop the laugh that bursts out of me, though I’m not sure if it’s funny ha ha or funny because I’m so goddamn confused.
ZANE: With that introduction, I’m not sure I want to be here
LUKE: You’re going to love it
Luke’s on the chat? What is going on here?
ZANE: I thought you hated me
LUKE: People change. Feelings change
EASTON: That’s funny coming from you, Luke
REED: It’s great to have you in the group, Zane. I always knew this day would come
ZANE: Thanks
Reed too? Easton’s right. This feels like hell.
LUKE: You better get ready for Reed. You’ll never escape him now
ZANE: I don’t think this group is for me. I’m out
LUKE: You know, Zane… If you hadn’t slept with his GF, you and East could have been great friends. You’re more alike than you realize
ZANE: Yeah, we both like brunettes
The tiniest twinge of guilt gnaws at my chest, and when Easton leaves the group, I feel worse.
Luke added Easton to the group
LUKE: You need to chill, East. It’s called a joke
Jesus. I don’t know what the hell I got myself into, but I have a feeling I’m not going to like it.