Page 117 of Playing With Love

The pain started to recede. My eyes went heavy and warmth cocooned me.

“His neck,” I slurred. “They sliced his…”

Everything felt heavy, even my breath.

The last thing I heard as I slipped back under was Allyson crying.

No one likes sniveling women, Liza.

Fuck you, Dad.

I love you, Ally, I thought.

Why didn’t she leave me?

“Tucker…”

I woke up to arguing.

Well, not arguing, yelling.

I was on my side, my shoulder and hip throbbed, my back felt like I’d been whipped, my head was fuzzy, and it hurt when I opened my eyes.

“Where’s Tucker?” I croaked.

“Hey.” Allyson came into view and cooed.

“Where’s Tucker?”

Allyson’s gaze went over my shoulder, her eyes narrowed, and her lips pinched.

“Can you please take that outside? You woke up Liza.”

“Out!” That sounded like Lenox but my head was so foggy I couldn’t be sure.

“Tucker?”

Ally’s attention came back to me.

“They medevac’d him to Nashville,” she gently told me.

My eyes drifted closed. Pain that had nothing to do with my back seared through me.

“Hey.”

I slowly lifted my lids. Allyson had scooted to the side to make room for the newcomer.

Carter Lenox—the senior one.

He must think I’m a total failure. A hack. A stupid woman who did stupid things.

“I’m sorry,” I croaked.

It might’ve been the drugs but I’d swear I saw his eyes glitter with anger before he cleared the emotion and gentled his features.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I couldn’t⁠—”