Page 16 of We're All Liars
“I’m sure you won’t. You said it already feels fine. By Friday, it probably really will be.” I take in a deep breath before I say, “And if not, it’s only a stupid game.”
His head slowly turns as his eyes meet mine. Yeah. I don’t believe I said it either. But it’s the truth. Itisa stupid game. The insufficient thing my dad has always placed ahead of my brother and me. “My father will pay one way or another. We will figure it out.”
“‘We’?” Cade asks, his eyebrow slightly raised at me.
I consider pushing him off the bed, but I don’t want to stay here any longer than necessary. And another injury might delay us. “I’ll wait in the car for you. It’s too fucking cold in here.”
I’m at the door when he calls my name, but I don’t turn around or stop. I have no idea what he was going to say, but whatever it was, I’m not ready to hear it. I need out of this wretched hospital. It’s a complete contrast to the abandoned one I’ve visited so many times in my nightmares, but it feels just as suffocating at the moment.
16
CADE
The chatter at the lunch table is endless between Ava and Savannah. Morgan has only chimed in when they specifically address her. Other than that, she stares across the café, looking like she’s completely lost in her thoughts. It’s a scary question, but I ask her anyways. “Whatcha thinking about?”
“Nothing,” she replies with an edge of frustration as she rests her chin on her hand.
Reaching in front of her, I grab a fry from her plate, then toss it in my mouth. She gives me a quick, irritated side-eye then slides the plate over in front of me before resuming her people watching.
“I don’t believe you. I know there’s something going on up there.” I tap on her temple before pushing her hair behind her ear and sliding my palm against her neck. When her gaze returns back to me, I see the spark in it that tells me I’m in trouble. But for some reason, it’s a relief. Because she’s been too complacent lately.
“I was thinking about how I haven’t had a good fucking lately. I can show you my solution since you’re so eager to know what’s going on up here.” Instead of backing down, I lean over and capture her mouth in mine. Ithasbeen too long, but she breaks the kiss off, her hands shoving against my chest. “Yeah, not doing it for me.”
The smirk on her face along with the words should be an insult. But I know. It’s a challenge. She wants me to show her exactly how much I want her. And fuck, I do. But before we can get any further, Topher drops in the seat across from me.
“Y’all will never guess what happened.”
Neil is the first to ask, “What happened?”
“The coach from Archbishop Mathis was just arrested.” Topher’s shocked pitch matches his wide-opened eyes. “Like handcuffed on campus and escorted out. That’s what the bastard deserves after that punk-ass hit last week at the game.”
“What was he arrested for?” Neil asks.
“He was caught selling drugs to students on campus.”
“Sounds like his actions finally caught up with him.” The way Morgan says it sets an alarm off in my head.Did she…?
“Exactly.” Topher holds his hand up to her for a fist bump that she doesn’t return.
While I don’t feel bad for the guy, something makes me wonder if he actually should be in jail. I lean into Morgan and ask, “Did you set him up?”
“Nope.” I see the corner of her lip that is raised in a slight smirk as she continues, “But we all have shit to hide. Sometimes fate just needs a little nudge to bring it to light.”
“Hm.” I process the fact that she admitted it. She found his dirty little secret and exposed it. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you did it for me.”
“Good thing you know better.”
Topher turns to me. “Are you playing on Friday?”
“Yeah. I’m playing.” There was never a question. My knee might still be a little sore, but it’s not any worse than pain I’ve dealt with while playing before. Coach doesn’t exactly care what’s going on with my knee, he just wants me in the game. I was shocked when he only let me get on the field to throw passes and made me sit out for the rest of practice. But he said he has no plans to bench me for the actual game, and I have no plans to step aside.
“Yes. Can’t do it without you, man.” Topher lets out a cheerful hoot then holds up his fist, to which I return the gesture.
“Ugh.” Morgan lets out an annoyed huff as her hands slap against the table and she pushes off to stand. “I’m so sick of hearing about the stupid fucking game.”
I know she hates the sport. But I also know her well enough to know that frustrated outburst is stemming from something else. Which something else? Who fucking knows. Quickly, I leave the table and head off in the direction she left in. With each step, there’s a tightness in my knee that reminds me I need to take it easy. But I have to catch up with her. And thankfully I spot her easily in the hallway since they’re still mostly empty. Once I reach her, I move in front of her and block her path.
“What now?” she asks but doesn’t attempt to get past me.