Chapter Twenty-Six #3
I held her against me and dropped my head against hers, finally letting the fear out as I allowed a few tears to fall.
I wasn’t someone who cried very often, not because I believed in all that toxic masculinity crap—people cried, it was human—but because I’d lived a pretty privileged life and hadn’t had much to cry over in my adult years thus far.
Not having the ability to do anything except hold Sophia and wait for her to get better was a feeling of helplessness I could only liken to hell on earth.
I hadn’t needed tonight’s experience to realize how much I cared about the girl in my arms, but it certainly put things into perspective as I rubbed her back and begged a God I didn’t believe in to let me trade places with her.
One thing was certain, I was not falling anymore. I’d already hit the ground.
I tucked Sophia into her bed—on her side and facing me—and lay down next to her on top of the covers, kicking my shoes off.
I had no intention of sleeping tonight so I pulled out my phone, preparing to distract myself, when I saw a message from Devon.
I’d given him and a few other guys on the team my number a few weeks ago—something I now regretted as his name popped up on my screen.
All the rage I’d suppressed since leaving the party with Sophia in my arms came crashing back, making my pulse beat loudly in my throat.
Devon: I’m sorry about the reporter. I know she’s your friend.
Seriously? Is he only sorry because the girl his brother tried to assault is my friend?
Me: It shouldn’t matter who she is. Your brother is a piece of trash.
I thought about ranting some more when it occurred to me that I actually had the power to do something about Harley.
Whether Sophia wanted to press charges or not for what he did to her, Harley was out on parole and currently in possession of controlled substances on a college campus.
I fired off another text message first, hoping I’d get an answer that would ease the ache in my heart as I watched Sophia’s chest rise and fall.
Me: How much did he give her?
Devon: Hold on.
I waited impatiently for a few minutes before deciding to fuck it all to hell.
I dialed the number for the police and told them about the felon on our college campus currently drugging girls at a party.
They took the information and said they’d check it out.
I knew this was the best way to channel my rage because finding out that the cops picked him up might be the only thing that could control the downright murderous energy pulsing in my veins right now.
A response from Devon came in.
Devon: He said it was one pill.
I sighed a breath of relief. At least he’s a standard shitbag like my dad predicted.
Me: You believe him?
Devon: Yeah. I made him swear.
Oh good, the criminal swore he was telling the truth.
Me: I’m going to give you one last piece of advice out of respect for the friendship we once had. You need to stop protecting him, Devon. He’s going to ruin everything good in your life if you let him. I meant it when I said we’re done. I can’t forgive this.
Devon: I know. I really am sorry. I was never going to do anything to her, Leo. I swear.
Me: That’s not enough.
I tipped my head back and let the phone drop to my chest.
Alyssa knocked lightly on the doorframe. “Hey, I have the couch all set up. Do you want me to sit with her so you can sleep for a few hours?”
“No,” I said quickly.
“Leo, you can’t stay up all night watching over her. You look exhausted already.” She tucked a red curl behind her ear.
“I’m not leaving this room, Alyssa. If you want to sleep on the couch to help me, I really appreciate it, but what I need is for you to help me stay awake.”
She frowned and looked at Sophia. I followed her eyes to the girl in bed next to me, who looked like she could be a princess asleep from a spell in a Disney movie rather than a girl who’d been drugged against her will.
If only she was a Disney princess. If that was the case, I was pretty sure my kiss would break the spell.
“Do you want coffee?”
I nodded. “And Excedrin if you have it.”
“We do.” She looked at Sophia again. “Who did this to her?”
I rubbed my jaw. “Devon’s brother, Harley.”
She took a deep breath. “I’ve seen him around.
Always thought he was creepy. She’s lucky you were there, Leo.
” She turned to leave before spinning back and eyeing me curiously.
“I knew there was more to the two of you than what she’s been saying.
But I didn’t realize just how much you cared about her. ”
I met her eyes, feeling mine start to fill again. “Who knew I had it in me, right?” I said, trying to laugh it off.
Alyssa smiled. “Yeah, well, Soph’s a pretty remarkable woman. If anyone can steal the heart of a so-called fuckboy without even trying, it’s her. Am I right?”
I snorted and wiped at my eyes before they spilled over again. “Yeah. Only her.”
“Does she know?” Alyssa asked.
I shook my head. “I’d really prefer she figure it out on her own. It’s the only way she’ll believe how serious I am about her.” I lifted my eyes to Alyssa. “And I am really fucking serious about her.”
She smiled sadly and nodded before leaving me alone with my anguish.