Page 89 of Bae

“They ran me off the road!” Rimmel wailed and promptly burst into tears.

A few things happened at once:

1.) I told Braeden he was a fucking moron and I was going to nut punch him.

2.) I grabbed Rimmel up into my lap and pressed her tearstained face into my shirt.

3.) I got really, really fucking furious.

She just said someone ran her off the road. As in they deliberately tried to hurt her.

“All right now, baby.” I tried to calm her down. It was like she’d been holding it in until the nurse and doctor left.

Braeden was on his feet, pacing right beside the bed. He gave me an apologetic look, and I glared at him. Without even considering the fact I was going to beat his ass, he sat on the bed, practically taking up all my space.

His hand went to Rim’s back. “Hey, I’m sorry, sis. I was just joking. Guess it was too soon. I’m an asshole. You’re a good driver.”

She sniffled, rubbing her face into my shirt.

“Rimmel…” Braeden tried again.

“Back off.” I warned.

She pulled away from me and hugged B. He hesitated a second before enclosing her in his arms.

The nurse walked in. “I have your—”

“We’re busy!” Both B and I snapped.

She backed out of the room, and we ignored her.

“I’m sorry.” Rimmel released Braeden and hiccupped. I pulled her against me once more.

“Baby, did you say someone ran you off the road?” I asked, trying not to push her but really freaking desperate to find out what the fuck was going on and why we were sitting in this ER.

“You guys came all the way here from… Where were you again?” She lifted her head and looked at me. It was like she hadn’t even heard my question. She was lost in her own thoughts.

“We were in New York. Thank fuck it wasn’t Cali,” I muttered. That was where I’d be soon. Hell, just thinking of being on the other side of the country made me break out into a cold sweat.

“How did you get here so fast?” she asked.

“I called Gamble. He was in town, and we used his chopper,” B answered.

“Thank you for coming.” Her voice was so sincere.

“As if we wouldn’t.” B scoffed.

I couldn’t talk. It was like all the words I wanted to say crowded in my throat and choked me, making it impossible to get anything out.

There was so much I wanted to tell her, so much I wanted to know.

She noticed my silence. I wasn’t sure she understood it. But I think she thought it was her fault. I hated she thought she was somehow to blame. But in way… she was.

Her words when I first rushed in this room echoed inside me. Taunting me.

“I’m sorry that guy called you. I begged him to let me do it. He wouldn’t. He recognized me right away, and you’re the top contact in my phone.” She made an angry face. “I think he actually wanted to call you, speak toRomeo Andersonhimself. I hate people forget you’re a person, that you have feelings and you’re more than a football god.”

I rubbed a hand up her back. “It’s all right, baby. As long as you’re okay.”

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