Page 83 of Huge Games

"Seriously, dude. You think words are going to mess with my head. I'm not that weak. Just give me the fucking phone."

Reluctantly, he pushes his hand into his pocket and holds it out. I press the screen and ask him for the passcode. He tries to get away, but Dornan slams his hand next to his head on the wall.

"PASSCODE…" The volume of his voice makes Eddie jump.

"Twenty-twenty." He hangs his head as I tap the numbers on the screen. It opens, and I start to tap through his messages and emails. There are whole message threads of people laughing about the video and metaphorically slapping him on the back for getting Celine back. Back for what? For fucks sake. He was the one who did her wrong.

I run a search for the porn site the video was posted to, and I find his account. He watches some seriously fucked up shit. Old women with young guys. Extreme BDSM. I don't even want to look at it. But then I discover his one upload.

I take screenshots of everything and send them to my phone. I want to delete the video, but I have to leave it where it is for the police to review the evidence. "You're a fucking small dick asshole." I shake my head and shove his phone in my back pocket. "You think you won by doing this shit. All you've done is tell the world that you're bitter and fucked up. All the girls at this university are going to know what you've done. You think any of them will ever want to let your pathetic dick near them?"

His face is blank, but I don't give a shit. He obviously has zero empathy or moral standards. I know it's impossible to teach people like this. He reminds me of my dad in a lot of ways. Just out for himself. Prepared to use other people in horrible ways to satisfy his twisted urges. Willing to destroy others to make himself feel better or to get what he wants.

"Expect a call from the police."

I jerk my head so Dornan knows we're leaving. He gives Eddie such a disgusted look; it's a miracle he doesn't turn into dust. Then, we leave him behind, hopefully shitting his pants.

Dornan keeps pace with me for a while until we're out of earshot. "Do you want me to blow off training, because I can?"

"Nah. I'm good. I'll deal with this, but thanks for helping."

"You didn't need my help, but it's all good. I was worried you would lose your cool, but you seem to have calmed right down."

He's right. I have. The burning, rumbling energy that Iused to carry isn't there anymore. It feels good to be without it.

"I'll let you know what happens," I say.

His mouth twitches with a smile. "Let me know how you get on at the hospital. If you need anything, I'm around."

I want to give the guy one of those manly bro hugs I've seen on TV but never done myself, but although I feel different in many ways, I'm not there yet.

"I can't wait to see that guy get punished."

"Me, either." Dornan looks over his shoulder, and we watch Eddie make his way into the locker room with hunched shoulders. "Training is going to be interesting today."

"Maybe you should tell Coach. It'd be just like Eddie to try to get you into trouble."

"If I have to, I will."

A phone rings and vibrates against my ass, but I resist answering it. Let them wait. Eddie can explain why he doesn't have access to his phone anymore.

"I'll see you later." It's one of those flippant things people say, but I mean it. It would be cool if we could hook up with Celine. Maybe get a takeaway and hang out at Travis's. Maybe do some other stuff, too.

"Yeah. Call me when you and Celine are done if you want to meet up."

It's like he read my mind.

"Okay. We will."

As I walk away with Eddie's phone still buzzing and Celine waiting for me, I feel more settled than I have in years.

The police took the phone. They ask me how I got it, and I reply, 'no comment.' The officer presses his lips together but bags the device up anyway. When I give him the password, he cocks an eyebrow but still doesn't ask. I guess he's happy that he has the chance to easily clear a case from his workload.

At the hospital, Celine holds my hand as we make our way to the ward. Mom has been moved now that she's conscious. When I'm asked if Celine is family, I tell them she's my fiancé, so she can come inside with me. The blush that spreads up her cheeks at the suggestion makes me want to kiss her hard.

Mom blinks up at me, surprised to see us. It's been a while since I visited her at home. The risk of running into my dad is too great, so I've stayed away for months.

"Elias." She stretches her hand out, and I take it. It's weird that I don't really feel anything when I touch her. As a kid, I was desperate for her love and protection. When Dad would beat me, I'd look at her and plead with my eyes, but she'd never stop him. She'd look away or go into another room. I know it's because she feared he'd turn his fists on her. He did it often enough, but I was her kid, and she should have done whatever it took to defend me. Her weakness isn't forgivable, even if it is understandable.

---