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Kane
“Do you think it will work?” Jagger asked.
The sound of lockers slamming and showers running in the background helped drown out our conversation with the other guys. I sat on the bench next to him. It was funny how Jagger and I had become friends after he’d covered for me with the police.
“The cops aren’t charging me with anything, so I figure I’ll give it a shot. I have nothing to lose at this point.” I slipped on my tennis shoes, then stood.
“As soon as Marc sees you, he’ll probably shit his pants and sing like a little fucking birdie. I should go with you, though. Make sure you don’t go off the rails again.” Jagger pulled on his burgundy Whitmore University T-shirt.
I shoved my hand in my jeans pocket. “I hadn’t thought about that. I just want some answers about Brie.”
Jagger slapped me on the back. “That’s what you have me for, to help you think through shit before you fuck up your entire life.” He gave me a lopsided grin. “What time is he getting released from the hospital?”
I pulled my phone out of my backpack and glanced at the clock. “In an hour. He has no idea I’m going to be his ride.” I chuckled.
“Actually, you’re going to stay out of sight until he’s in my truck. No one needs to see you there. I’ll let Marc know that the university feels horrible about what happened, and they wanted to send someone to apologize and give him a ride.”
I smirked at him. “I feel like you have a lot of experience doing shit like this.”
Jagger laughed. “Welcome to my dark side, motherfucker.”
Honestly, I was afraid to ask Jagger to elaborate, but at least he was helping me out for the time being.
“Where are we taking him anyway? If he’s been staying at a hotel, then we can’t talk to him there. If he starts screaming or some shit, it will cause trouble.” Jagger pinned me with his questioning gaze.
I wasn’t sure it was the most brilliant idea I’d ever had, but downstairs in one of the rooms at the society house would be perfect. No one would be there until later that evening. The one concerning thing, though? Jagger would have questions, and I needed to think of a story before we got there.
“I’ve got a place.”
“Excellent. Let me call Ari and let her know I’ll be out for a while, and I’ll see her later tonight.”
“She’s got you on a leash?” I grinned at him as I scooped my backpack off the locker room floor and slung it over one shoulder.
“Asshole, please. It’s not a leash. I love and respect her enough to tell her when I’m going to be late so she’s not freaked the hell out that I’m dead in a ditch somewhere. Has nothing to do with being controlled. Some dudes would do well to learn the difference.”
I stared at him, speechless. Never in a million years would I have guessed that Jagger would be cool about communicating in his relationship. It’s clear to the entire world that he’s jealous and possessive, but it sounded like he treated her right.
Brie’s beautiful face flashed through my thoughts. Maybe at one time, we could have had what Jagger and Ari did. Chances are it wouldn’t have worked, given our pasts, but even that opportunity had sailed.You still love her.Refusing to give that inner voice any attention, I slapped my hand over its mouth and gave it a swift kick in the ass.
“Meet me in twenty at my truck. I’m parked up the hill.” Jagger fished out his phone, then walked to the door.
* * *
Although I’d agreed that Marc didn’t need to see me when Jagger picked him up from the hospital, I watched shit go down right around the corner from the entrance.
“Hey, Marc.” Jagger tipped his head at the female nurse who had wheeled Marc out.
“Are you his ride?” she asked.
“I am. Hopefully, he can get into the truck okay,” Jagger replied.
“I’m fine.” Marc stood from the chair, shooting Jagger a dirty look.
“Excellent. The university sent me to pick you up.”
Marc’s eyes narrowed. “Good. They should be kissing my ass after I was nearly beaten to death on their property.”
Jagger offered him a tight-lipped smile. “Let’s go. I have other shit to do than babysit.”
