Page 285 of Wrong Pucking Player

“Set you up to be arrested and ridiculed on social media, got your girl arrested, and now sent someone to kill her,” Oliver sums up almost tirelessly before looking at Armani. “Haven’t you frozen all his accounts?”

“Ask me how I should do that when I’ve been in jail,” he grumbles but looks to Wyatt. “Please tell me that was you and not him.”

“If it was him, you wouldn’t care,” Wyatt grumbles and takes my hand. He tugs me forward without saying anything until I’m standing before Oscar. “Take her out for some air. I’ll clean this shit up.”

Oliver sighs.

“Guess I’ll help.”

I feel like Wyatt doesn’t want to let go of my hand, but I can tell from his demeanor and emotionless voice, this Wyatt is the one who’s strictly ‘in the zone’.

Is that why Mr. Tobias was looking down the hall earlier? Did he sense Wyatt there? Was he hiding just in case he’d have to protect me?

Today has been far from pleasantly satisfying.

Oscar takes my hand and leads me ahead until we’re just before the doors to the outside. My feet come to a firm stop, forcing him to pause as he feels the resistance against him taking another step.

“Let’s get some air, Kenzie.”

“No.”

We stand like that for a few seconds before he heavily sighs and turns to face me.

Then he’s hugging me.

“This is too much, isn’t it?”

I don’t say anything as I stand in his embrace. I don’t want to be more burdensome than I may have already been tonight, but I can’t leave this place without knowing where I stand in all of this.

If I’m going to be allowed to stand by Armani’s side.

“Kenzie, baby.” Hearing the hurt in Armani’s voice makes my heartache. “If… if it’s too much…”

I grip at his shirt, my balled fist pushing him back so I can look up into his eyes.

There’s no way for me to tell how my expression looks. If I’m sad, defeated, or utterly frightened. My emotions feel like they don’t matter because I’m but a tiny piece in this puzzle that’s grand and changing every second.

But do I want to be a part of it?

Do I want to be that piece that solves all of this?

“If I’m a puzzle piece meant to fit in this grand scheme, would you force me to hide behind you?” I question. “Or would you help me so I can stand beside you?”

He lets his arms fall to his sides, giving us the distance I feel we both need.

I try not to let such a simple action confirm my worries, but the longer our silence, the harder it is to not accept the answer.

My eyes lowered to my bare feet, looking at the bruises and hints of redness that gathered from tonight. Then I look to my left hand, noticing how I’m gripping this card like it’s my saving grace.

If Oscar won’t let me find a way to stand up on my own, I could ask his father to help me…

Despite the opportunity, it doesn’t feel the same.

For I’m seeking the man I love’s approval.

Nothing more.

The touch to my cheeks makes me flinch, but despite it, Oscar doesn’t move his hands from cradling my face. Instead, he stares into my eyes, then at my lips.

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