Chapter Thirty-Two
KAYDEN
The hospital parking lot was packed, and I had to circle twice before I found a spot near the back. My heart hammered inside my chest, and as soon as I parked. My hand went to the handle, I got out and slammed it shut. I locked the car and ran towards the entrance.
The automatic doors slid open, the smell of antiseptic hit my nose, and the lights reminded me of the arena. Bright and too fucking much.
Dylan leaned against the wall near the vending machines, his arms crossed, jaw tight. Hazel sat in one of those uncomfortable plastic chairs, her knees pulled up to her chest, face twisted with pain.
I crossed the room in a few strides. "How is she?”
He looked up and shrugged. “She's still back there. We aren’t family, so they won't tell us anything."
"What happened?" My voice was rough, and my hands were closed into fists, ready to punch someone in the face.
She lifted her head, eyes red and swollen.
“They went after her, in my dad’s arena.
Ivy and two other girls jumped her. They fled the scene, but it was all on video, stupid bitches.
They had no idea the rink had cameras. They held her down, and kicked her while she was on the ground.
My dad is furious, and is working with campus security and the police.
But since they fled the scene, who knows how long it will take.
We called 911 as soon as we found her, the ambulance and police arrived to gather our statements and video footage. ”
I would be too if it was my rink and my daughter’s best friend got beat up.
My brows creased, “Why was she alone in the first place? What was she doing there so damn early?”
Hazel sighed, “She wanted to practice without distractions. Dad gave her a key, and told her she could get there around five and have an hour before we get there to open things up. Clearly, that was a bad idea.”
My hands clenched into fists. "And Garcia?"
Dylan's jaw tightened. "He found her after. She was trying to get up, to go find help, and he cornered her. Tried to..." He stopped, and shook his head. "She got away. Broke his nose.”
I couldn't breathe. I wanted to fucking punch something, but all I could do was stand there and be helpless. Hoping that she would be okay.
"Where's her mom?" I asked.
"On her way," Hazel said quietly. "She called me back about twenty minutes ago. She should be here soon."
I nodded and sank into the chair next to her. My leg bounced, hands gripping my knees. The clock on the wall was ticking away extremely slowly, as if every second that passed was like another hour.
Dylan sat down on my other side. “You okay?”
What do you think? I didn’t respond, there were too many emotions and thoughts going through my mind. If I talked, I’d probably snap.
The automatic doors slid open again, and Lexi’s mom rushed in.
Her face was pale, her eyes were wide and frantic. She went straight to the front desk, her voice shaking as she spoke to the nurse. "My daughter, Alexis Hamilton, was brought in about an hour ago.”
The nurse said something I couldn't hear, and Lexi’s mom nodded.
She backed away from the counter, turning towards us.
Her gaze met mine and tears filled her eyes, “Kayden,” a sob escaped her lips.
I stood up and gave her a hug, because despite how Lexi felt towards her mom, we’d always been somewhat close.
She was there for me when my parents weren’t, and I’ll never forget that, despite how I felt about how she treated her.
A few minutes later, a doctor came out. He was a middle aged man in scrubs, and his eyebrows rested naturally, and his forehead was clear of wrinkles. To me that meant he was calm, and that there was no need to worry. At least, that’s what I hope. She’s fine. She has to be. She’s a fighter.
Lexi’s mom turned towards him, and I went to stand next to her.
Dylan grabbed my arm. "Kayden..."
"I need to hear this."
I’m supposed to protect her, and once again I didn’t. I failed her time and time again.
I walked over, staying a few feet back, but close enough to listen.
The doctor spoke in a low voice, but I caught most of it. She had a concussion, bruised ribs, cuts and bruises all over. They were running more tests to make sure there was no internal bleeding. She was stable, but they wanted to keep her overnight for observation.
Lexi's mom covered her mouth with her hand, eyes filling with tears. "Can I see her?"
I wondered if she was remembering the last time she was called and told to rush to the hospital for her kid.
"Yes, you can follow me.”
She nodded, wiping her eyes, and then turned and saw me standing there.
"She's going to be okay." Her voice cracked on the last word, her lips trembling. “I’ve been awful to her. What the hell is wrong with me?”
"She's strong; she’ll be okay.” I said the words, but I wasn’t confident. She’s already been through too much.
She nodded, wiping her eyes again. Then she looked at the doctor. "Can he come back with me?"
The doctor hesitated. "Family only right now.”
"He is family," she said firmly. “He’s her stepbrother.”
The word hit me like a punch to the gut.
Stepbrother.
That's what I told Lexi we had to be. It's what I'd insisted on, even though every part of me wanted something else.
Needed something else.
The doctor looked at me, then back at Lexi's mom. "I'm sorry, just you for now.”
She started to argue, but I shook my head. "It's okay."
She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. Then she reached out and squeezed my arm. "Thank you for being here."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
She disappeared down the hallway, and my fingers ran through my hair.
Well, that fucking sucked.
Dylan came up behind me. "Kayden..."
"I'm fine."
“Don’t lie to me. You’re not.”
I turned and walked toward the restrooms, my chest tight, throat burning. I pushed through the door and leaned against the sink, gripping the cold porcelain.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Jaw clenched, eyes red and body vibrating, I was ready to run through a fucking wall.
I’m such a fucking idiot.
It’s a mistake.
We don’t belong together.
What the fuck was I thinking?
Knowing that she was lying in a bed, unable to move because two people wanted to get back at me...fuck. How could I let this happen?
My fist slammed into the wall before I could stop myself. Pain shot through my knuckles, but I didn't care. I hit it again, and again, until my hand was throbbing and my breathing was ragged.
Then I stopped. Thankfully no one is in here or they’d think I’d lost my mind.
Maybe I have.
I pressed my forehead against the cool tile and closed my eyes.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
I took a deep breath, and pulled myself together, no matter how much I wanted to kill someone. When I walked back into the waiting room, it had gotten busier.
I sat down next to Dylan and Hazel, jaw set, hands still clenched into fists.
"You good?" He asked, eyebrows raised,eyeing my bleeding and bruised hand.
I nodded. "Yeah."
No, I’m not good, but he doesn’t need to know that.
I want to pummel Garcia’s face in. I want him off the fucking team.
I want to get revenge against Ivy, but how do I do that?
Am I supposed to stand back and let them get away with harming the girl I love?
I rubbed my hands over my face.
Fuck, did I really admit that?
I shook my head, stood up and went outside. I walked down the sidewalk, away from the entrance, away from prying eyes. I placed my hands on the back of my head and interlaced my fingers.
I can’t breathe. God, something is wrong with me.
“What the fuck is going on with you?” Dylan followed me outside and I wasn’t in the mood to have a heart to heart with him.
“Nothing,” I said through clenched teeth.
“Bullshit.”
I turned and looked at him, dropping my hands. “What?”
“You heard me. This whole situation has you fucked off. Stop killing yourself and fucking tell her how you feel.”
“I can’t...”
His gaze narrowed, “Another bullshit excuse. Yes, you can. I don’t care what obligations you have, tell her the truth.
That girl is hurt because you were too much of a coward to tell her how you feel.
Own up to it. The season is over, you aren’t going to lose out on the draft for being in love with someone.
Guys do it all the time and still get drafted.
It’s okay to be fucking normal for once. ”
My brows raised, “Geez, tell me how you really feel.”
He placed his hands on his hips, “You’re my friend.
We’ve been friends for years. I’ve seen you pushing yourself to the point of getting sick, to get somewhere with hockey.
You’ve never had a girlfriend, and never let yourself have fun.
Yeah, you get drunk and party here and there, , but that’s fixing to change.
We are getting older, and soon, college is going to be on the back burner. It’s time to fucking grow up.”
“You don’t understand...”
“I do. You made a promise to your dead best friend, and you’re afraid of breaking it.”
I glared, “Watch your fucking mouth, Dylan.”
“No. If it gets you to wake the fuck up, then I don’t care.
Losing Jake should’ve taught you that life is too short.
You can’t keep living in the past and miss out on everything you could have.
Hockey will only be around for so long. One day you won’t have it, and you’ll be all alone and miserable.
I understand this sucks. She’s fucking hurt and you’re pissed with the world.
But pushing her away again is only going to show her that she doesn’t need you.
And if you want to lose her to the next guy that comes in and swoops her up, then it’s your loss. ”
He left after that, leaving me alone, standing on the sidewalk thinking about my life choices.
Well, fuck.