Page 19 of 2nd and 7

“And is he supervising your security?”

“I know that was an innuendo, but it was a bad one and this conversation is now over.” I laugh, even as I hand over my camera for her to preview the pictures I took today. “Edee! These are incredible. Oh! I have so many ideas! I need to talk to the marketing department—”

“Lilly.” Her mouth snaps closed.

“Sorry!”

“No need to apologize. I think it’s great how enthusiastic you are about your job.”

“It’s a lot easier now that Heacock is behind bars.” I nod in understanding. I only dealt with the infuriating and homicidal man for a few weeks, Lilly’s been here for several years. “Do your magic and send me them as soon as possible.”

“No problem.”

She grins, “Celebrate the win properly, though. And say hello to Ty and Lyn.”

I wave above my head, not needing to be told twice to spend time with my man and my favorite laundry man. I think a win like this deserves ice cream. “Will do! Have a good night yourself.” Turning around to face her, I walk backward, teasing, “Be careful, though. I think Mr. Zeigler would be happy to…secure you.”

I wind my way through the stadium to our meeting spot. Lyndell is waiting for me, his head down, hands in his pockets. “Lyn?” He looks up at me with a forced smile. “Hey, buddy, what’s wrong?” He shakes his head, smashing his lips together. I want to push him to tell me if something happened, but I know he will when he’s ready. “Did you still have something to show me?” At breakfast, we made plans to meet, and Lyn was excited toshow me something about how the laundry is collected from the stadium for servicing.

“There he is!” Someone slurs. A large group approaches us, I recognize a few of them as cheerleaders, including my roommate Shaye. She sneers at me but doesn’t speak. I can’t say the same for the others. “You ran away, window licker. Come on, give Shaye a chance. She’s always open for business, even for someone like you.”

“Fuck you, Matt.” Shaye’s face reddens in anger and probably embarrassment. I feel zero sympathy for her.

“You already did. Ty turned you down, but I’m sure his brother here would love to give you a ride.” This fucking asshole looks at Lyn, a mocking smirk on his face. “Shit, can retards even get it up?”

“You’re a dick,” one of the other cheerleaders spits out, but Matt is undeterred.

“Maybe he’s like one of those guys that…uh…their junk is cut off.” Another guy snaps his fingers like that will improve his intelligence in any way. Before I can react, Matt reaches out and grabs Lyndell between his legs and squeezes. Lyn makes a sound of protest, half scream, half cry, and I see fucking red.

Dropping my bag on the ground, I slam my hand on Matt’s forearm, and he releases Lyn. I step between them, cock my leg back and then kick him right in the dick. He drops to his knees and all hell breaks loose. The others start yelling, closing in on us, even Shaye. Lyndell’s tortured sob gets my attention, and I spin around to help him. He’s crouching on the ground, his hands over his ears, rocking back and forth. I have to get him out of here.

“Lyn.” I place my hand on his shoulder to get his attention. One second, I’m standing over him, the next I’m blinking on my sideon the ground. I quickly scan the area, and Lyn is nowhere to be seen.

“LYNDELL!”

“You fucking cunt!” The Matt guy is back up on his feet and angry as hell. Well, good, so am I.

I quickly stand up, ignoring the way my vision blackens at the edges for a few seconds, and look for a weapon. I gasp in shock when a cold drink is thrown at me. I charge the bitch who threw it, knocking her to the ground. I spin around, spot the stack of foldable cushioned stadium seats, pick one up and start swinging. I know there are people watching, I can hear them yelling for security, but none of them are stepping in. No one is stopping this from happening. Why? Lyndell was attacked, physically and verbally assaulted, and no one is helping. What is wrong with people?

I knock a couple of them down, but someone punches me in the stomach and kicks my knee out. On my back, on the ground, Matt hovers over me with an unsettling grin. “He should have died in that fucking accident. He ruined his brother’s life. And looks like he’s about to ruin yours too.” Shaye, of all people, hands him a drink when he holds his hand out, wiggling his fingers. He upends it, dumping it all over me. Another girl kicks me in the side, but I barely register the pain. I’m so fucking angry, absolutely furious. Matt turns around, starts bragging to the others. I stand up quickly, jump on his back and cinch my legs around his waist. I pummel my fists into the sides of his face from behind. Blindly hitting him wherever I can. He swings around, trying to dislodge me, but I hold strong.

“EVERYONE ON THE GROUND! POLICE! ON THE GROUND!” Rough hands on my shoulders, I’m pulled off Matt and pushed to my stomach on the ground. My arms are cuffedbehind my back. I watch numb as the others are as well. It took them long enough, but honestly, everything happened so fast. It escalated quickly and I will never regret defending Lyndell or myself, but I’m worried about Lyndell. He’s quite capable, but being this upset and on his own is a dangerous combination. Especially if so many people recognize him and blame him for the quick death of Ty’s football career.

“LYNDELL!” I scream again, hoping he’s hiding somewhere close by. “Lyndell, come out now! Everything’s going to be alright.”

“SHUT UP!” the police officer hauling me up to my feet, yells at me.

“I will. I’m sorry. But Lyndell is missing. Please. They were harassing him, and he ran away and I don’t know where he is.”

“Lyndell Wicawiil?” I nod emphatically, ignoring the pain in my shoulders from my current position. “Keep your mouth shut, and I’ll let my captain know. They’ll find him.”

“Thank you. You have to notify his brother—”

“LYNDELL! EDEE!” Ty comes running up to the scene, but an officer bravely blocks his path. He holds Ty back, but it isn’t easy. Ty is desperate to get to me.

“I’m ok. But Lyndell—”

“Where is he?” Ty frantically scans the area, his breathing growing choppy when he doesn’t find him.

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