Page 47 of Fractured Mind
I gulp and try to think of something to say, but he doesn’t wait for a reply. He walks back to his car without even so much as a backward glance.
Theo’s truck drives past and speeds up as it takes off down Nana’s driveway, and then Ashton is gone as well. I’m left standing alone once more.
Sighing, I massage my temples. I hurry back inside, where I bypass Nana, who stood as I walked in. I can’t talk to her right now. By the time I reach my bedroom, I’m gasping for air and my body is vibrating with tension.
I decide to take a bath. In the bathroom, I yank at my clothes to take them off, and they land on the tiles with a slosh. With trembling hands, I turn on the tap. I step in once the bath is full.
All I want is relief, but an onslaught of questions filters through my head. Did Ashton say I was his because he wants to be with me, or did he say it because he was jealous? Why is his first reaction to throw punches? Why couldn’t he just talk to me? I didn’t think Ashton was still fighting in the ring, but maybe I just hoped he wasn’t.
I blink rapidly, fighting back tears and rubbing my eyes in frustration. I drop my hands, and they land in the hot water pooled around me. I gather a handful and splash it onto my face, cleansing away the grime of today. Finding out that I lost my memory from a brain injury was bad, but I didn’t remember my life when I woke up. Today I wanted the truth, begged for it even, but I never imagined it to be this devastating.
Running was supposed to clear my mind, but my problems seem to have gotten worse. There’s a burning need deep within me to stop Ashton and Theo, because it will only bring more bloodshed.
I stand up and jump out of the bath, then grab a towel and dry my body before bolting into my room, grabbing my phone, and calling Ruby.
She answers, “I was just going to call you. What’s going on? Ashton called Jackson, then he took off after Ashton, not letting me go with him.”
“Do you know where they are right now?” I ask with urgency. “I have to stop Ashton from fighting tonight.”
“Hold on, I’ll text Jackson.”
I clamp the phone in the crook of my neck, slide up my underwear and shorts, and pull a bra from the drawer. I put my phone on loudspeaker and throw it on my bed so I can keep getting dressed.
As I pull the Gucci shirt over my head, her voice comes through the speaker. “They’re at the beach down the hill from your nana’s. What’s wrong?”
It would take me too long to explain. “Can we talk about it tomorrow?”
She releases a heavy sigh. “Fine,” she replies with sass. “Call if you need me.”
I hang up the phone, slide my feet into sandals, and make my way downstairs, searching for Wayne.
When I step into the living room, I find him across from Nana on the couch. My eyes meet her worried ones.
“How are you feeling?” she asks softly.
Tears well in my eyes.
“Come over here,” she says as she beckons me.
Without hesitation, I walk over to her, and she wraps me up in a loving hug.
She pulls back, a smirk now on her lips. “I’m guessing the spectacle in my driveway had something to do with you?”
I cast my eyes downward, sensing the blush flush over my cheeks.
“Even though I don’t condone it”—her voice softens—“I understand it. Two boys fighting over my beautiful granddaughter.”
I grant her a small smile. That is not what I was expecting to come out of her mouth, but she always surprises me. Turning to Wayne, I ask, “Do you mind taking me to the beach? It won’t be for long.”
He nods. “That’s no problem at all,” he replies and stands.
My hands fidget in front of me.
Wayne grabs the keys off the table, and I walk with him to the garage without saying a word, but my mind is in chaos. As Wayne unlocks the car doors and gets into the driver’s side, I hesitate, just staring at my reflection in the car’s window. I can do this, I tell myself. Ashton can damn well listen to what I have to say.
We pull out of the garage and head down the driveway. It isn’t long until we get to the beach. When the car stops, I swing the door open and step out. “I won’t be long.”
I scan the beach and see Ashton and Jackson straight away. Their arms are resting on their knees as they look out at the ocean. With a sense of urgency, I remove my sandals and clutch them tightly as I hurry toward them, my heartbeat increasing the closer I get.