Page 42 of Far from Destined

“Nate,” I bit out, cursing at myself for not thinking about why Nate was reacting as he was. The concussion that had ended Nate’s career and had sent him on a new path had scared the shit out of all of us. It was the reason Nate had spells where he didn’t drive for a while.

And I hadn’t even made the connection.

“I only fight people who are smart about what they do. They don’t take chances.”

Nate shook his head. “You’re going to get hurt. And you might be alone when it happens. And because you don’t trust us, your family isn’t going to be here to help you. What the fuck are you doing, Macon?”

I scowled as I put on my clothes, fisting my hands against the lockers after I did so. “I don’t know. I just—it reminds me that I’m here. And it’s stupid. I know I don’t need this, but some part of me thinks I do. That I’ll end up here anyway.”

“I’m going to tell the family,” Nate said. “I haven’t yet because we’ve had other shit to deal with, but I’m going to tell them, Macon. And you need to figure out what you’re going to do. Because if you think I’m upset, what’s going to happen when Arden finds out?”

My gaze shot to his. “She’s going to kill us.”

“No, she’s going to killyou. She might get upset with me for not telling her right away. But she’ll hurt you. So, don’t you fucking dare pretend that this isn’t important.”

“It is. I know. I need to think.”

“Okay. Think. I’m going to head home and have a drink. You need to figure out what the fuck you’re going to do. Because what you’re doing right now? It’s not good.”

“I know,” I said, feeling defeated.

“Do you?” he asked pointedly and then left me alone.

I didn’t even want to be here. I had just shown up because it was almost routine now. And because I needed to think about what I was going to do when it came to Dakota.

Jesus. I had no idea what to do when it came to her.

I stuffed everything into my bag and was near my car when my phone buzzed. I looked down at it and answered right away, my heart in my throat. “Dakota? What’s wrong?”

“Why is that the first thing you ask?”

“Dakota?” I asked again.

“I’ve never called you for something good, have I? Or even texted you for something unrelated to me needing your help.”

“Just talk to me.” I threw my stuff into the back of my car and then got into the driver’s seat, starting the engine. “Do you need me?”

I needed her to need me.

Fuck.

“I’m sorry to call, but I was outside, and I found a cat that looks lethargic and too thin. With four baby kittens.”

I froze before my phone went to Bluetooth, and I started my way to her house. “Are they breathing? How big are they?”

“They’re breathing and chirping like little babies. Macon, they could fit in the palm of my hand. They’re so tiny. I don’t know what to do. Do I move them?”

“Keep them where they are for now. I’m on my way.”

The relief in her voice made me want to give her the world so she knew she could trust me with anything. “Thank you. Joshua already met the kittens and wants to name them. He’s wanted a puppy for so long, but now I think he wants this family. And my God, that’s five cats, Macon. And what if they get sick? What if they don’t make it?”

“Stop borrowing trouble. We’ll figure it out. I’m a vet. It’s what I do.”

I was nearly at her house after she’d hung up before I realized that I still had blood on my knuckles from where I’d cracked the skin. Well. Jesus. She was just going to have to deal with me as I was. Because it wasn’t as if I had the answers she needed, nor was I the man she wanted. I pulled into her driveway, got out of my car, and did my best to run my hands over my jeans.

“Fuck,” I mumbled.

Dakota opened the front door, her eyes wide, looking a little scared. “They’re meowing and look happy. But I think the mama needs food.”