Page 13

Holy shit! That was absolutely amazing. An epic late season win.

The team, especially Prib, were unstoppable.

And Ty. Good God, he was insane. He never stopped moving from one end to the other, revving up the crowd.

Not that they needed it, it was so loud during the game.

And now that it’s over, the crowd might be thinning out, but it hasn’t decreased the volume much.

Every play, every touchdown, every tackle…

madhouse! I captured as much of it as I could.

I’m not as fit as Ty and can’t run back and forth, but I tried to take pics from any available angle.

I’m bouncing on my feet making my way through the back office halls. I spot Lilly talking with one of the security guards, so I hang back and let them finish. It’s just a few seconds later, they are lingering over their goodbyes. Oh! How cute are they?!?

“Edee!” Lilly spots me once he’s out of sight. “Hey!”

“Hey, Lilly. Who’s that?” I ask, chuckling as she flushes from cleavage to forehead.

“Mr. Zeigler.” She winces and while I don’t know her that well, I’m sure she picked up on the breathy way she said his name.

“ Mr. Zeigler. ”

She clears her throat; her eyes focused over my shoulder to avoid eye contact. “He’s one of the security supervisors.”

“And is he supervising your security?”

“I know that was an innuendo, but it was a bad one and this conversation is now over.” I laugh, even as I hand over my camera for her to preview the pictures I took today. “Edee! These are incredible. Oh! I have so many ideas! I need to talk to the marketing department—”

“Lilly.” Her mouth snaps closed.

“Sorry!”

“No need to apologize. I think it’s great how enthusiastic you are about your job.”

“It’s a lot easier now that Heacock is behind bars.” I nod in understanding. I only dealt with the infuriating and homicidal man for a few weeks, Lilly’s been here for several years. “Do your magic and send me them as soon as possible.”

“No problem.”

She grins, “Celebrate the win properly, though. And say hello to Ty and Lyn.”

I wave above my head, not needing to be told twice to spend time with my man and my favorite laundry man.

I think a win like this deserves ice cream.

“Will do! Have a good night yourself.” Turning around to face her, I walk backward, teasing, “Be careful, though. I think Mr. Zeigler would be happy to…secure you.”

I wind my way through the stadium to our meeting spot.

Lyndell is waiting for me, his head down, hands in his pockets.

“Lyn?” He looks up at me with a forced smile.

“Hey, buddy, what’s wrong?” He shakes his head, smashing his lips together.

I want to push him to tell me if something happened, but I know he will when he’s ready.

“Did you still have something to show me?” At breakfast, we made plans to meet, and Lyn was excited to show me something about how the laundry is collected from the stadium for servicing.

“There he is!” Someone slurs. A large group approaches us, I recognize a few of them as cheerleaders, including my roommate Shaye.

She sneers at me but doesn’t speak. I can’t say the same for the others.

“You ran away, window licker. Come on, give Shaye a chance. She’s always open for business, even for someone like you. ”

“Fuck you, Matt.” Shaye’s face reddens in anger and probably embarrassment. I feel zero sympathy for her.

“You already did. Ty turned you down, but I’m sure his brother here would love to give you a ride.” This fucking asshole looks at Lyn, a mocking smirk on his face. “Shit, can retards even get it up?”

“You’re a dick,” one of the other cheerleaders spits out, but Matt is undeterred.

“Maybe he’s like one of those guys that…

uh…their junk is cut off.” Another guy snaps his fingers like that will improve his intelligence in any way.

Before I can react, Matt reaches out and grabs Lyndell between his legs and squeezes.

Lyn makes a sound of protest, half scream, half cry, and I see fucking red.

Dropping my bag on the ground, I slam my hand on Matt’s forearm, and he releases Lyn.

I step between them, cock my leg back and then kick him right in the dick.

He drops to his knees and all hell breaks loose.

The others start yelling, closing in on us, even Shaye.

Lyndell’s tortured sob gets my attention, and I spin around to help him.

He’s crouching on the ground, his hands over his ears, rocking back and forth. I have to get him out of here.

“Lyn.” I place my hand on his shoulder to get his attention. One second, I’m standing over him, the next I’m blinking on my side on the ground. I quickly scan the area, and Lyn is nowhere to be seen.

“LYNDELL!”

“You fucking cunt!” The Matt guy is back up on his feet and angry as hell. Well, good, so am I.

I quickly stand up, ignoring the way my vision blackens at the edges for a few seconds, and look for a weapon.

I gasp in shock when a cold drink is thrown at me.

I charge the bitch who threw it, knocking her to the ground.

I spin around, spot the stack of foldable cushioned stadium seats, pick one up and start swinging.

I know there are people watching, I can hear them yelling for security, but none of them are stepping in.

No one is stopping this from happening. Why?

Lyndell was attacked, physically and verbally assaulted, and no one is helping. What is wrong with people?

I knock a couple of them down, but someone punches me in the stomach and kicks my knee out.

On my back, on the ground, Matt hovers over me with an unsettling grin.

“He should have died in that fucking accident. He ruined his brother’s life.

And looks like he’s about to ruin yours too.

” Shaye, of all people, hands him a drink when he holds his hand out, wiggling his fingers.

He upends it, dumping it all over me. Another girl kicks me in the side, but I barely register the pain.

I’m so fucking angry, absolutely furious.

Matt turns around, starts bragging to the others.

I stand up quickly, jump on his back and cinch my legs around his waist. I pummel my fists into the sides of his face from behind.

Blindly hitting him wherever I can. He swings around, trying to dislodge me, but I hold strong.

“EVERYONE ON THE GROUND! POLICE! ON THE GROUND!” Rough hands on my shoulders, I’m pulled off Matt and pushed to my stomach on the ground.

My arms are cuffed behind my back. I watch numb as the others are as well.

It took them long enough, but honestly, everything happened so fast. It escalated quickly and I will never regret defending Lyndell or myself, but I’m worried about Lyndell.

He’s quite capable, but being this upset and on his own is a dangerous combination.

Especially if so many people recognize him and blame him for the quick death of Ty’s football career.

“LYNDELL!” I scream again, hoping he’s hiding somewhere close by. “Lyndell, come out now! Everything’s going to be alright.”

“SHUT UP!” the police officer hauling me up to my feet, yells at me.

“I will. I’m sorry. But Lyndell is missing. Please. They were harassing him, and he ran away and I don’t know where he is.”

“Lyndell Wicawiil?” I nod emphatically, ignoring the pain in my shoulders from my current position. “Keep your mouth shut, and I’ll let my captain know. They’ll find him.”

“Thank you. You have to notify his brother—”

“LYNDELL! EDEE!” Ty comes running up to the scene, but an officer bravely blocks his path. He holds Ty back, but it isn’t easy. Ty is desperate to get to me.

“I’m ok. But Lyndell—”

“Where is he?” Ty frantically scans the area, his breathing growing choppy when he doesn’t find him.

“He ran off. I couldn’t…I couldn’t go after him. Find him. He’s so scared, Ty.” The adrenalin drains at a quick pace. I’m scared, tired, sticky and wet, and in a considerable amount of pain. Tears stream down my face. “Find him.”

“Let her go! She didn’t do anything!” Ty’s blind support is wonderful, but misplaced. I most certainly did some damage and I ain’t sorry about it. I just wish I could have hurt more than a few of them. I glare at Shaye, a little triumphant watching her lose her shit.

“She broke my fucking nose!”

The officer pushing Matt out of the stadium shakes his head. “I think she broke more than that.”

We’re taken to our respective corners for questioning. The officer is far more polite now than he was when he slapped those cuffs on me. He listens as I explain what happened. I don’t lie or omit, I’m an honest person, but I make it clear that I was defending Lyndell and I.

“I’m going over there,” he points to a spot about 30 feet away where several officers and security staff are gathered, including Mr. Zeigler. “To piece together what happened. Then we’ll decide who is being charged with what and taken into custody.”

“What about Lyndell? Are you looking for him?”

He nods, his features softening ever so slightly.

I’ll take it. I don’t care about myself, whatever happens, happens.

But I need Lyndell to be ok. Safe. “Tyrone is inside with the captain and someone from the security team. They’re trying to figure out where he might have run off to.

Sit tight, and don’t move.” I bite my lip but nod.

I’ve never been handcuffed. Never had to deal with the police.

Never even been in a fight before. I’m worried about Ty, scared for Lyndell, and heartbroken over the whole fucking thing.

But I’m gonna hold my shit together because now isn’t the time.

Shaye and the other women involved are crying, screaming, and arguing with the officers taking their statements.

They are not handling this well at all. And dammit, I’m better than them.

So, I’m clenching my asshole as tight as I can, forcing myself to breathe normally, and swallow down the bile threatening to rise in fear.

Inside the stadium corridor, raised voices catch my attention, but I can’t make out what is being said, and I don’t recognize any of them.

I can’t call my parents because at this moment I can’t even scratch my nose…

fuck! My nose itches. I wiggle it but it doesn’t help.

I try to rub it on my shoulder, but I can’t bend that way.

Why did I think about my fucking nose itching?

Ugh! I’m so mad right now. And my mom is gonna be furious. I just don’t know if it will be at me or not.

I’m not entirely sure how long we sit here, but it’s long enough for me to lose feeling in my right arm. And my left shoulder hurts like a motherfucker. The officer I talked to earlier, finally walks over, keys in hand. “Miss Shingleton, you are being released.”

“I am?” That’s surprising. I know I was defending us, but not everyone would agree my methods were necessary.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

The officer sighs, losing his patience with me and it makes me chuckle. He unlocks the cuffs and good Lord that fucking hurts! I rub the protesting muscles futilely. “Just say thank you.”

“Uh…I’m not capable of doing that.”

“Edith Shingleton?” A man stops to the side of me, his nostrils flaring, a hand running through his salt-and-pepper hair.

“My son Matt…” Ah, Matt’s dear old dad. He better hope the apple fell far from the tree, or I’m about to chop this fucking tree down.

There might be some residual adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

“Is a fucking asshole?”

His eyes widen in shock, before his features settle and he nods.

“Yes. Yes, he is. I am deeply sorry for what happened today. What he did and said to you, Mr. Wicawiil, and even Shaye, is unacceptable. His mother and I did not raise him to behave like this, but we’ve been having trouble with him since he started college.

” He sighs, weary and disappointed. “We will not be pressing charges, and I was hoping you would consider dropping any charges against Matt. Not because he deserves it, but because we are withdrawing him immediately and finding him help.”

Well, that takes the wind right out of my vengeful sails.

“While that option is less satisfying…I can agree to that. I hope whatever you do for him helps. He hurt one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever met.

” His relief is obvious, but I’m not done.

“I cannot speak for Tyrone or Lyndell, however. He said some nasty things to Lyndell, but he physically assaulted him and violated him in a way that will leave a lasting impression.”

“Thank you.” Matt’s father grimaces at my words but remains kind.

“I won’t ask you to speak to Tyrone or Lyndell on Matt’s behalf, not that you would, but Matt…

it’s time for him to learn the consequences of his actions.

” He thanks me again and walks off, his entire demeanor telegraphing his defeat.

He has a hell of a fight on his hands regarding his son.

I only met him briefly, but it’s hard to miss the wealth of anger that lives inside him.

“Miss Shingleton, your belongings are just inside the entrance. They have not found Lyndell yet. We have officers canvassing the area. Last I heard, Tyrone was checking all of Lyndell’s favorite places.”

“Thank you.” I run toward the building, grab my bag and throw it over my shoulder. I have no idea where Ty is, but I don’t want him to be alone for a second longer. We’ll find Lyndell and bring him home. We have to.