“Wh-what?”
“Yeah, in the parking lot.”
“Oh my God, did you tell someone? Coach? Security? The police?”
“We handled it.”
Nate snorted and I glared at him. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “You need somebody to look at that?”
Nix’s arm hung at his side protectively, but he shook his head. “I need some Tylenol, a smoke, and my girl.” He dropped a kiss on my head. “I know we said we’d hang out, but I—”
“Whatever you need,” I said.
“You guys can come,” Nix offered. “Jessa left snacks.”
“I… uh, I don’t want to impose.” Nate rubbed the back of his neck.
“Not scared of being caught hanging out in The Row, are you?” Zane’s brow arched with accusation.
“That’s not… no.”
“Come, don’t come,” Nix murmured, “but I really need to get home.”
He was hurt, worse than he was letting on.
“Maybe you should get checked out?” I whispered, and his mouth curved.
“Worried about me, B?”
“Always.”
“Come on, let’s roll. Kye’s driving,” Nix said.
“I can ride with you, if you want,” Chloe offered Nate. “Show you the way.”
“I… uh…” He looked to me for what, I didn’t know. A get out clause? Permission?
He didn’t need my permission.
I shrugged and he said, “Yeah, okay.”
“Great.” Chloe beamed, lacing her arm through his. “We’ll park at ours and then walk over.”
“Yeah, because Miller’s ride will look so much more at home on your driveway.” Zane rolled his eyes and she narrowed hers right back.
“I’ll just be over here, pretending my baby sister isn’t trying to mack on Miller,” Kye groaned, before climbing into Nix’s car.
“As long as he isn’t trying to mack on my girl, it’s all good.” Nix hugged me closer.
“You’re a changed man.” Zane gave him a bemused smirk as he got in the passenger seat, leaving me and Nix to get in the back.
A pained groan rumbled from his chest, making my heart stutter.
“I can’t believe those assholes jumped you.”
“Check out little Harleigh Wren’s potty mouth.” A grin slashed Zane’s mouth as he twisted around to look at me.
“I’m not the same girl I was back then,” I said quietly, stroking Nix’s arm.