Page 101 of 1 Last Shot

It vaguely registers that I’m yelling something, but I’m too far gone to comprehend what it is. The only thing my braindoesunderstand is that whatever I said causes complete and total devastation to appear on Isabella’s face.

That’s the last thing I remember before blackness sucks me under.

31

ISABELLA

I watch in complete shock as the cops haul Kane out of the bar.

I… don't understand what just happened. I don't understand how we got here.

I don't know what todo.

“I don't fucking need you to bail me out with your trust fund money.”

Kane's last words ring in my brain, leaving me shaking and hurt and so confused. I've never seen anyone get arrested before. I have no idea if cops deal with drunk and disorderly people differently than any other crime, or if they cart them off just to get them out of the environment. Is a drunk tank real, or just something they say on TV? Is that where Kane is right now? Is this something that goes on his record?

My hands are trembling so hard I can barely get my phone out of my pocket. I scroll over my contacts, trying to decide who to call—or even if Ishouldcall someone. Does Jax or anyone from the gym need to know about this?

I'm so confused I could cry.

I force myself to suck in a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I count my breaths and wait for my heart to settle down. Finally, I feel a little more in control, and a little more clear-headed. Enough that I think I can start to make some decisions.

First question: do I go to the jail and try to help Kane despite his drunk, parting shot?

I feel my heart crack down the middle as I realize the answer.

No. I shouldn't.

Partly because I'm a strong woman that shouldn't crawl after a man that just humiliated me. It doesn't matter that he was drunk, and Iknowhe didn't mean it—alcohol doesn't excuse behavior. I saw the look of regret that he wore with that first vodka. Which means he knew exactly what could happen when he started drinking.

But the real reason the shock and hurt cuts through me at the knowledge that I shouldn't help Kane is because Ican't. If I go down to the police station right now and bail him out, or beg for his release, or do anything for him physically right now, the only thing that would do is allow Kane to not deal with the consequences. Because the fact of the matter is Kane was rightfully arrested: he got drunk, he got in a fight, he got arrested. Hedeservesto be in jail overnight.

So, as much as it kills me not to help him, I'm not bailing him out.

When my stomach roils at the thought, I mentally add,at least tonight.

I'll pick him up in the morning.

Coming to a decision, even one as hard as that, doesn't make me feel any better. In fact, knowing that I can't do anything right now makes me feel ten times worse. Because now, the only thing I have to focus on is how badly this hurts.

I glance around me, trying to figure out where I go from here. Home, I guess. But going without Kane, when I wasso excitedto spend tonight with him, is really going to amplify the loneliness. The sadness. The heartache. I don't want to go home.

But then I remember that Oscar is home alone. I know Kane fed him before he came over, but he still needs to be let out tonight at some point.

And if they really did take Kane to the drunk tank, then he won't be back until tomorrow.

I bite into my bottom lip, surprised to taste the tang of blood. But it shakes me out of my haze.

I scroll through my contacts once more. I don't have a key to Kane's place, so that means I need to call the landlord and have him let me in as an emergency precaution.

Thankfully, he's both awake and understanding when he answers. We agree to meet at the apartment building in ten minutes.

I'm wringing my hands and giving the landlord a nervous smile and breathlessthank youwhen he finally lets me into Kane's apartment. Oscar gives me a curious and sleepy look from where he's lying on the couch.

"I assume you've got a list of things you have to take care of until Kane gets back?" the landlord asks from behind me.

I spin to face him. I obviously didn't tell him Kane was arrested, just that he ran into some issues and can't get back tonight like he had planned. But I nod in answer to his question.

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