Page 83 of Game Changer

Lindsey takes my hand and tells them, “Do not answer that, or I’ll boot you both out.” She looks back at me. “Why didn’t Sydney come? How is she?”

“She’s in the waiting room.” I turn and glare at Mitchell. “Jesus, did you tell her everything?”

“Mila told me you got shot when I was sleeping. Mitchell just confirmed. Get off his jock, Boone.” She swallows hard. “I want her in here when I tell the story, because I’ve already told the cops, and I only want to do it one more time.”

Sydney sits in a chair beside the bed. “I am so happy you’re back.”

“It was quite a trip, one I hope never to take again.”

“Lily”—she holds her hand to her chest—“she’s going to be so happy to see you.”

“I can’t wait to hold my girl. But first, I want to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I agreed to meet your ex, wanting to find just one fucking flaw in you so that maybe I would not feel so inferior.”

“I can point them all out for you so you see you are no such thing.”

Lindsey taps the side of her head. “Sometimes I get mixed up.”

“I think I understand how that could have happened to you. Lily told me a big tale, one so unimaginably sad that an almost four-year-old should have never known.”

“I’m going to file a restraining order on my mother and older brother.” She looks at Mitchell, who nods. “They’re not allowed near me nor Lily.”

“How long did it go on?” My voice rumbles.

“She laid hands on Lily once, which was one too many times,” Scott answers. “Lindsey and Mitch have been abused for as long as I’ve known him, by Madeline and Junior, physically and emotionally, and Senior is just as guilty of looking the other way. When Lindsey went to the hospital after her visit to you this past summer, Lily stayed with Mitchell.”

Lindsey smiles sadly at me. “And after that, I started planning our move, like we had talked about.”

“Why didn’t you come right after that? After you left the hospital?” I ask.

“That would be my fault,” Mitchell and Scott say at the same time.

“Both of yours?” I growl. “My daughter was abused by some fucking cunt. I’m not interested in excuses and fingers being pointed. I want to know what the fuck happened.”

Sydney places her hand in mine. “Beau.” She nods to Lindsey, who has tears rolling down her face.

“Do you know what a beard is Beau?” Scott asks.

Lindsey says quietly. “That would be me. I’m the beard.”

“No way?” Sydney asks, and Lindsey nods, then they both look up at me.

“Cody and Drew and?—”

“Ew, no,” Lindsey cuts Syd off. “That would mean I’m banging my brother.”

Syd smiles softly. “Right, bad example.”

“I’m not an idiot, so I’m not gonna step into a conversation about pronouns and things of that nature that change more often than our plays on the field, so spell it out.”

“Mitch and Scott have been in love since they met at band camp.” Lindsey smirks.

Mitch laughs. “You bitch.”

I catch Scott out of the corner of my eye, watching their interaction with affection.

“Fine, it wasn’t band camp, but that makes for a better story.”

“You and your love of smut.” Scott rolls his eyes at Lindsey.

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