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“He ran off. I couldn’t…I couldn’t go after him. Find him. He’s so scared, Ty.” The adrenalin drains at a quick pace. I’m scared, tired, sticky and wet, and in a considerable amount of pain. Tears stream down my face. “Find him.”

“Let her go! She didn’t do anything!” Ty’s blind support is wonderful, but misplaced. I most certainly did some damage andI ain’t sorry about it. I just wish I could have hurt more than a few of them. I glare at Shaye, a little triumphant watching her lose her shit.

“She broke my fucking nose!”

The officer pushing Matt out of the stadium shakes his head. “I think she broke more than that.”

We’re taken to our respective corners for questioning. The officer is far more polite now than he was when he slapped those cuffs on me. He listens as I explain what happened. I don’t lie or omit, I’m an honest person, but I make it clear that I was defending Lyndell and I.

“I’m going over there,” he points to a spot about 30 feet away where several officers and security staff are gathered, including Mr. Zeigler. “To piece together what happened. Then we’ll decide who is being charged with what and taken into custody.”

“What about Lyndell? Are you looking for him?”

He nods, his features softening ever so slightly. I’ll take it. I don’t care about myself, whatever happens, happens. But I need Lyndell to be ok. Safe. “Tyrone is inside with the captain and someone from the security team. They’re trying to figure out where he might have run off to. Sit tight, and don’t move.” I bite my lip but nod.

I’ve never been handcuffed. Never had to deal with the police. Never even been in a fight before. I’m worried about Ty, scared for Lyndell, and heartbroken over the whole fucking thing. But I’m gonna hold my shit together because now isn’t the time. Shaye and the other women involved are crying, screaming, and arguing with the officers taking their statements. They are not handling this well at all. And dammit, I’m better than them. So, I’m clenching my asshole as tight as I can, forcing myself tobreathe normally, and swallow down the bile threatening to rise in fear.

Inside the stadium corridor, raised voices catch my attention, but I can’t make out what is being said, and I don’t recognize any of them. I can’t call my parents because at this moment I can’t even scratch my nose…fuck! My nose itches. I wiggle it but it doesn’t help. I try to rub it on my shoulder, but I can’t bend that way. Why did I think about my fucking nose itching?

Ugh! I’m so mad right now. And my mom is gonna be furious. I just don’t know if it will be at me or not.

I’m not entirely sure how long we sit here, but it’s long enough for me to lose feeling in my right arm. And my left shoulder hurts like a motherfucker. The officer I talked to earlier, finally walks over, keys in hand. “Miss Shingleton, you are being released.”

“I am?” That’s surprising. I know I was defending us, but not everyone would agree my methods were necessary.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

The officer sighs, losing his patience with me and it makes me chuckle. He unlocks the cuffs and good Lord that fucking hurts! I rub the protesting muscles futilely. “Just say thank you.”

“Uh…I’m not capable of doing that.”

“Edith Shingleton?” A man stops to the side of me, his nostrils flaring, a hand running through his salt-and-pepper hair. “My son Matt…” Ah, Matt’s dear old dad. He better hope the apple fell far from the tree, or I’m about to chop this fucking tree down. There might be some residual adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

“Is a fucking asshole?”

His eyes widen in shock, before his features settle and he nods. “Yes. Yes, he is. I am deeply sorry for what happened today. What he did and said to you, Mr. Wicawiil, and even Shaye, is unacceptable. His mother and I did not raise him to behave like this, but we’ve been having trouble with him since he started college.” He sighs, weary and disappointed. “We will not be pressing charges, and I was hoping you would consider dropping any charges against Matt. Not because he deserves it, but because we are withdrawing him immediately and finding him help.”

Well, that takes the wind right out of my vengeful sails. “While that option is less satisfying…I can agree to that. I hope whatever you do for him helps. He hurt one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever met.” His relief is obvious, but I’m not done. “I cannot speak for Tyrone or Lyndell, however. He said some nasty things to Lyndell, but he physically assaulted him and violated him in a way that will leave a lasting impression.”

“Thank you.” Matt’s father grimaces at my words but remains kind. “I won’t ask you to speak to Tyrone or Lyndell on Matt’s behalf, not that you would, but Matt…it’s time for him to learn the consequences of his actions.” He thanks me again and walks off, his entire demeanor telegraphing his defeat. He has a hell of a fight on his hands regarding his son. I only met him briefly, but it’s hard to miss the wealth of anger that lives inside him.

“Miss Shingleton, your belongings are just inside the entrance. They have not found Lyndell yet. We have officers canvassing the area. Last I heard, Tyrone was checking all of Lyndell’s favorite places.”

“Thank you.” I run toward the building, grab my bag and throw it over my shoulder. I have no idea where Ty is, but I don’t want him to be alone for a second longer. We’ll find Lyndell and bring him home. We have to.

Tyrone 13.

I run my hands over my bald head, dragging them hard down my face. It’s been hours. Where is he? Where is Lyndell? He isn’t answering his phone because he left it behind at the stadium. I have no way to track him. The police are canvassing along with campus security, but no one has seen hide or hair of him. All campus security camera footage is being checked to see if they can find a general direction but so far, nothing.

My heart aches for him. He’s alone. Scared. And hurt. Emotionally, physically, it doesn’t matter. He hurts; I hurt. When I saw the way that fucker grabbed him…I saw red, and it was only the police presence that kept me from rushing back down to the ground level and bashing his fucking head in the ground.

I need Edee. They can’t possibly charge her, can they? She was defending Lyndell. She was defending herself too. And she did it magnificently. God, she was so brave, like a Valkyrie sounding the war cry as she jumped on that guy’s back and started punching him anywhere she could.

I love her. I’ve known for a while, but the words haven’t moved past my lips, lingering on my tongue, waiting. I don’t want to wait any longer. Call me Paula Cole, but I want to begin our life together right fucking now.

I just need to find Lyndell. And free her from police custody. And ask her father for permission…and her mom. Mama Mary runs that family. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I hastily pull it out, hoping it’s Lyndell. Close, it’s Edee.

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