Page 14 of I'm Sorry

“Saw that shit coming from a mile away.” He twists his head back and forth and runs his hand through his hair to flip it over his shoulder as he sits forward and places his elbows on his knees.

“Asshole,” I grumble. “You could have woken me up.”

He shakes his head, grinning from ear to ear. “Nah, that was just too good.”

“Prick.”

“Anyway. I think I’m going to head back to the track, help everyone pack shit up for the last time, say goodbye to everyone. You good here?” Trace stands and rounds the end of the bed. He tries to hide it, but he sneaks a few peeks at Lennox, each one drawing his expression into grave territory. Trace gave up his career for her, to protect her and we all know his father won’t see that as an excuse. How can he win the race when he isn’t there to compete? He’s done.

He shoves his hands into his pockets as he stands before me. I bring my eyes up to his. “Yeah, brother. I’m good. Thanks for staying. I’m sure Lennox will appreciate it.”

He huffs a dry laugh, his eyes dancing over the bed, landing on her face for a forlorn second. He taps his thumbs on the railing at Lennox’s feet.

“Alright. Well, let me know if you need anything. When she wakes up,” he says solemnly. Just as I nod to let him know I will and he starts to leave, Lennox shuffles her legs around restlessly, drawing our attention.

“No!” she murmurs, gasping. “No! Stop! Please! Don’t…” A sob bursts from her busted lip, forcing me out of my seat, sleeplessness forgotten. I’m latching on to her in an instant, trying to gently awaken her.

Exit forgotten, Trace plants himself firmly at the foot of the bed with his palms wrapped around the footboard in a white knuckled grip. The bloody cracks in his knuckles must be painful, but he doesn’t notice. He twists his face in fear and concern, his chest heaving with jagged breaths.

“Nox, baby, wake up. C’mon, wake up for me.” I give her shoulder another light shake and her eyes pop open. As soon as she sees me, sees the room we’re in, her face crumples and tears flow freely. My heart wrenches open in my chest at the sight. My bruised and bloodied girl, beaten at her happy place. Crying. Sobbing. Afraid. I absolutely hate it when she cries. “Shh…don’t cry.”

There’s a wrinkle in my voice with those words, my emotion getting the better of me. I bend down and wrap my arms around my girl when she reaches for me. She hisses in a breath saturated in pain but holds on tight, anyway. I bend more, hoping to ease her discomfort.

Trace clears his throat as if he’s struggling with the scene. When I pull back and glance at him, I find him doing anything to avoid looking at us.

“Trace…” Lennox whispers. His brows knit together at the soft sound and his jaw flutters, but he can’t look at her. “You saved me.”

Shifting his feet, suddenly uncomfortable, he holsters his hands in his pockets once again. “I…Uh. Sorry, I have to go. See you guys later.”

“Thank you,” Lennox forces out through the dryness in her throat. The nurse said she would probably need some water when she woke up, so after I watch Trace take one last, longing look at my girl and leave, I turn to scoop up the styrofoam cup and straw. It’s been so long the water is probably warm, but at least it’s something.

With my direction, Lennox takes a sip and drops her head back on the stark white pillow with a sigh. With tired, navy blue eyes, and wild, deep mahogany hair sticking out in all directions, she takes a moment simply to study me.

Shaking my head, because of course she needs to check on me, I say, “I’m perfect. I’m here with my girl. Are you in any pain?”

“A little, but I’m fine for now.” Hands laced together, I drop back into my chair. I refuse to let her out of my sight. Last time I did, assholes got the better of her.

“Good. I know it’s not what you want to think about right now, but the police want to know when you’re awake so they can take your statement.” Normally Lennox doesn’t want to get anyone in trouble, no matter what, but if she doesn’t press charges, we are going to have a problem. She needs to make a statement with these assholes. They can’t keep doing bullshit like this and getting away with it. They’ve gone too far this time and it will only get worse. Maybe that’s just the criminal justice student in me, but it’s also the part of me that is incredibly protective of her and not wanting to see her hurt. I’ve already failed her once.

“Can it at least wait until tomorrow? It’s still a little fuzzy and I’m real tired.” I’m going to keep my thoughts to myself for now. As much as I want justice, she’s right. She needs the rest, not the stress. I give her a grunt of agreement. “Did they catch them?”

“Every single one of them because Trace beat them to a bloody pulp.” She blinks rapidly, surprise lighting her dark eyes as her lips scrunch with confusion.

“What? How? I didn’t know he could fight,” she croaks. I dip my chin in confirmation as the memory of seeing what my friend did to those assholes flares to life in my mind. He beat the ever-loving shit out of them. If she doesn’t pursue charges, at least some justice was served. “I remember him being there, afraid something was going to happen to him, but I don’t remember that. I guess I passed out sooner than I thought.”

I can’t help the soft growl that boils in my chest at the thought.

“Yeah. I had to pull him off of the last one before he killed him. He learned how to fight in case his dad ever turned violent.” She makes a tiny squeaking sound in the back of her throat.

“He did that for me?”

“It was three against one, baby, and you were down. Regardless of how he feels about you, Trace wouldn’t let anyone get away with anything like that.” She ponders my statement for a moment, seeming to accept it and looking relieved.

“I owe him big time. He could have been hurt.”

“You can tell him that later,” I grind out. I know I joke about the two of them together all the time because of the way they go at one another, but the thought of her owing him… after the way he’s been since he found her. It’s not settling well with me. I shut that shit down because I may be a lot of things, but I’m not an insecure person.

LENNOX

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