Chapter 20
TWENTY
DALLAS
It’s just before five a.m., and I’m staring at the clock, trying to decide if it’s time for me to get up—not that I’ve really slept much.
How the fuck could I when she was crying quietly beside me.
I wanted to comfort her, but I couldn’t do it.
If I would have flipped over toward her and held her close, I would have ended up giving her what she was asking.
I can’t do that. Our families are too close for me to fuck it up.
She may think she knows me, but she doesn’t know how truly broken I am inside.
I’m not capable of giving her what she needs and deserves. So why bother giving her anything at all besides protection and friendship?
Now that I’m dressed, I sneak out of her bedroom and down the hallway. When I’ve almost made it to the door, ready to make my escape, Lilly’s voice stops me.
“You’re busting out of here like your ass is on fire,” she says, and when I turn around to look behind me, she and Isla are sitting on the couch, each with a cup of coffee in hand.
“Yeah,” I say, pulling my sneakers on. “I have to go get ready for tonight’s game.”
“Good luck.” Isla smiles, taking a sip from her mug.
Isla is dating Lilly’s brother, Hendrix. They’ve always struck me as an odd couple because Hendrix is a designated bad boy and Isla is a really good girl wrapped in sunshine. They seem happy though, so I guess sometimes opposites can work.
“Yeah, good luck,” Lilly mimics, but I know she’s not just talking about the game right now.
“Thank you,” I say, nodding before I turn away from them and open the door.
I expect to rush down the sidewalk to The Tower. I need to mentally get ready for our game tonight. Only, my feet are stuck on the porch steps as I stare down at Haven’s Jeep.
I drag in an angry breath as I look at the sight in front of me. In bright red spray paint, the word SLUT covers the entire side of the vehicle, the red standing out against the car’s white exterior.
And the windshield? Completely smashed.
Anger prickles my scalp, radiating down my neck and spreading throughout my entire body. I’ve let this go on for far too long and now, I need to talk to Coach King. This isn’t just about his daughter; it’s about a player.
I know I need to take care of the Jeep, hiding it from everyone else before the sun comes fully up.
But before I can stop myself, I’m stalking down the sidewalk and toward The Lookout.
My entire body shakes, and even though I know this isn’t the way to handle it, it’s the only way I’m capable of right now.
Pushing the door open and running up the stairs to Tabor’s room, the door is wide open and he’s nowhere to be seen.
His bed is made, but it’s eerily quiet in here.
I was so pissed when I came over that I didn’t even look if his truck was gone.
Quickly, I jog out of his room and back outside to find it’s gone.
Now, I have to face this motherfucker right before our game.
Knowing every second that passes puts Haven at a greater chance of more people seeing this, I run back to The Nest. I’m just about to pull my phone out to call a tow company when I spot Cane Hale walking out of The Nest.
He must have stayed with his girlfriend Harley last night. “What the fuck happened?” Suddenly, his face reddens with anger. “Harland told me that there was some fucking ex of Haven’s showing up. Was this him?”
“Can’t think of anyone else it would be,” I say, my voice low and cross. “I’m sure you’re headed to practice, but do you have time to follow me to my parents’ house so I can leave this in their garage?”
My mom and dad are on a vacation with their other best friends, Trent and Cameran Kade. They wanted the Kings to go, but obviously Coach can’t leave his team. I’m glad they’ll be around because something tells me Haven is going to need her parents after I tell her the truth later.
“Sure thing. Anything to help.” He cringes. “We better push the windshield out first though.”
I nod before looking at the Jeep one last time. My heart fucking hurts as it truly hits me how fucked up Tabor is. I’m worried about Haven, but one thing I’ll never let happen is for anyone to hurt her. I don’t care if I have to glue myself to that girl; I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.