Page 48 of Fueled Fury

Yeah. I know about him being told to get out of the house. But even without asking, I know Austin won’t be leaving me or Haine. “He’s staying.”

“I doubt that since he doesn’t have a place to bum off of now.” Eli lets out a cynical laugh that irks my already raw nerves. This isn’t the time nor the place, but he’s only concerned about himself, like he’s always accused Austin of doing.

“He’s found a place already.” I’m satisfied with Eli’s shocked expression. “He’s asked me to move in with him.”

“Are you going to?”

“Probably. I think it’s best since your mom isn’t exactly happy with me. Or I might get a place on my own.”

“You don’t have to leave the house. My mom was just worried because she doesn’t want to see you get hurt either.”

“I think it’s best to get a place of my own.” It doesn’t sound as appealing as living with Austin, but it would allow us all some time for things to settle down.

“Lainey, you’ll get hurt if you don’t stay away from him.”

“That’s for me to decide.” I let out a breath, finally deciding to trust Austin after seeing exactly how Eli is acting.

Hannah pulls on Eli’s arm, guiding him away. “It’s probably better if we talk about this later when things aren’t so stressful.”

“Call me if you need anything, Lainey.” Eli gives me a half smile, reminding me of his mom. He waves as he takes off down the hallway.

Walking back into the room, I take a seat in the chair and bring my knees to my chest, looking across the room. Austin stands beside me stiffly, not saying anything. He moves closer to me but doesn’t speak. Quiet. That’s all I want as I close my eyes, dozing in and out until my eyes dart open. I must’ve fallen asleep, because I forgot where I was for a second until the soft, steady beep of the machine reminds me that my dad is in the hospital, but he’s going to be okay.

Looking around the room, I notice Austin is gone so I rise to go look for him. When I hear his whisper outside the door, I stop dead in my tracks.

“I need her away from him.”

“We’ll figure something out. Her dad told me what happened. I can’t believe that shit, man.”

Austin remains silent for a second before he whispers, “I just want her safe.”

“So does Thomas, but he’s pissed at you. He said it’s your fault she raced.”

“It was her choice.”

“Yeah, and she should be able to decide, but that’s not why he wanted you to move back. He said he thought you could keep her off the track. He couldn’t believe you screwed up with all that money on the line. I think he’s just upset after what she said to him. They’ll work it out eventually.”

“I hope so,” Austin responds.

“I think that’s what happened today. His mind has been elsewhere since you told him about the races, then her showing up last week sent him over the edge.”

Austin told him? Money? Move back? Keep me off the track? What the hell is going on?

Stepping out of the room, I move to stand in front of Randolph and Austin as I look between the two of them.

“Is he awake?” Randolph asks as Austin gives me a panicked look.

“How much?” I ask.

“How much what?” Randolph asks as Austin remains silent, realizing he was caught when he hadn’t thought anyone was watching.

“How much am I worth? How much did my dad offer you for all the trouble? How much did it take to keep you from leaving me here and running off like a fucking coward?”

Randolph opens his mouth to say something, but I cut him off. He’s no better than Austin, being fully in the know.

“I figured it out. I can’t trust anyone, not even myself.” Running down the corridor, I hear Austin holler my name as I weave through the people, taking any and every turn that I think will get me away from him. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t question everyone around me and myself.

Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I dial the last person I should be able to trust but one who hasn’t given me a reason not to … yet.

“Are you still here?”

I’m relieved when I hear David on the other line saying that he’s still at the hospital before asking if everything is okay.

No, it’s not—on so many levels. “Can you give me a ride back to the house?”

“Sure. Is everything okay with your dad?”

“Yes, he’s not awake yet.” And I can’t decide if I’m feeling more guilty for staying here after what I said or for leaving when he still hasn’t woken up.

But when he does wake up, I don’t want to be here because now I have even more questions, one of the main ones being how much he offered Austin. He said I’d become a whore like my mother, then paid a guy to fuck me over.

“I’ll meet you outside,” I tell David before disconnecting the call.

Unfortunately, I forgot that my mom is with him, sitting in the passenger seat of his SUV. For the first time in my life, she doesn’t lecture me, criticize me, or tell me how I’m messing up. She remains quiet the entire ride home, not even saying a word when we arrive at the house. All she says is I can stay if I want to. And I do (after stashing my car away) because I don’t want to face Eli or Austin yet, but one thing is decided. A place of my own is definitely the route I’m taking.