Fallen Crest Public (Fallen Crest High #3)(29)
“No.” He tugged me back into his arms. “You’re shouting.”
I didn’t care. “I thought it was you!”
“It wasn’t!” he yelled over me. “Calm down. I’m sorry—”
Shoving my hand into my pocket, I pulled my phone out and checked the number. It was Logan’s number. I put it in his face. “Logan texted me. Not you. I thought it was you. Why else would Logan be the one to text me? And he texted! He should’ve called—no!—you should’ve called! And why didn’t you even tell me about your basketball game? I had no idea. I’m new, remember? I don’t know these things, and no one talks to me—”
“I’m sorry.” Mason was fighting back a grin as he pulled me against his chest and wrapped both arms around me. He took the phone from my hand and pushed it back into my pocket. The intense anger kept me stiff in his embrace, and I lifted a fist to his stomach. He said, “I knew you had to work tonight. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want you to feel bad about missing the game. I’m sorry … again … I’m sorry, Sam. I am. I was the one driving. I told Logan to call you, but we were right behind the ambulance so he texted instead. I’m sorry. Next time I’ll be the one to call you.”
Oh shit. Next time. There better not be a next time. “Mason …” The anger left me then, and a void took its place. There was a big gaping hole left in me. I thought I had lost him.
“I’m sorry.”
Mason …
I couldn’t even finish that thought. I was just so relieved it hadn’t been him. My knees sagged in relief. “Is Nate okay?”
He nodded, looking down at me, searching inside of me. “Yeah, he’s fine.”
“Logan said his brakes were cut?”
“Yeah.” His jaw went rigid. “My guess is that it was Budd and Brett Broudou.”
My eyes got wide. Oh holy shit. “Can you prove that?”
“Who cares about proving? We already know.”
Oh. My heart started beating fast. Now would be a good time for that second confession … I took a deep breath and stepped away from him. “Mason?”
“Yeah?”
Three …
Two …
“Yo.” The door burst open, and Logan popped his head inside. “The doc wants to see you. He’s waiting for you by the nurse’s station.”
Mason moved around him and took off. He disappeared around the corner. There went one …
“You okay?”
I nodded. “Never better.”
“I heard you shouting.” He propped his shoulder against the doorframe and kept studying me. “I’m sorry about the mishap. I should’ve told you we were fine; I just didn’t think about it.”
“Yeah.”
“Sam?”
There was a giant ball of guilt and worry in my stomach. I had to tell them about Budd and Brett. It’d been too long ago, but with Brett asking me out, Mason and Logan needed to know first. “Logan?”
“Yeah?”
“What are you guys going to do?”
He frowned, but moved inside so the door shut behind him. Same room, different Kade. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you guys are going to do something to get even.” It wasn’t a question. That was a fact. Everyone knew it. “What are you going to do?”
He lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. Nate will probably make the decision. They did this to him. Of course, I’m guessing they did it because he clipped Budd with his car.” His eyes turned feral. “Now I wish he’d gotten hit harder, would’ve put him in the hospital first.”
I sucked in a breath. “Are you guys going to hurt them?” Did I want that? Didn’t that mean they’d retaliate? Mason or Logan could get hurt. That couldn’t happen. Maybe I could talk to Brett … no. I’d make it worse then. “They’ll hurt you guys back.”
“Oh.” Understanding flashed in his eyes and he lifted a hand. It went to my arm, meant to comfort me, but I bolted into him. Bumping against his chest, I wrapped my arms and hugged tight. Logan was family. Mason was more. I couldn’t lose either of them.
I mumbled against him, “Don’t hurt them. They’ll hurt you back. I can’t handle that.”
“Oh, Sam.”
“Logan, promise me.”
He stiffened under my arms and moved me back. “I can’t promise you that.”
I knew it.
It felt as if a hand reached inside of me and was gripping my heart.
Logan added, “I’m sorry, but they’re going to do it anyway. They’re looking for you. Why do you think that is?”
“For running lessons?” My voice came out high-pitched and shrill. The panic was full blown. “Why wouldn’t they?”
He sighed and shook his head. As he bit down on the corner of his lip, I turned away. I couldn’t see the pity there. They were going to do it anyways, no matter the consequences. One of them was already hurt. When would they be next? I knew it was only a matter of time.
I had to try again. “Please, Logan. Go to the police. This is going to end badly.”
“They’re hoping to hurt you. You’re Mason’s girlfriend. Everyone knows how protective we are of you. You’re our weakness, Sam. We have to finish this before they do something to you.”