Page 124 of Almost Rotten

You pushed her too hard, and now she won’t stay.

“She texted you?” My ears ring and my pulse pounds in my temples.

“Oh snap,” Swayzee brings a fist to his mouth to stifle a laugh. “Are we talking about that little Scooby snack of a sister again? You’ve got a thing for Davvilicious, don’t you, Tremblay?”

I lunge at him, only to be stopped by a brick wall.

Grunting, Atty pushes me back. I fight his hold, wrestling out of his grasp and charging toward Swayzee.

“Someone fucking help me,” he grits out.

What I’m doing is ridiculous. Insane, even. Fighting a teammate because of a stupid comment. Because he mentioned my best friend’s sister.

No.

She isn’t just my best friend’s sister.

Fucking Swayzee has the audacity to talk aboutmy wife.

I lose all sense of time, only coming back to myself when my body crumples to the ground, all out of fight.

With my back against the wall, I drop my head back and cover my face with my hands.

I’ve never felt less in control than I do right now.

When I open my eyes, Atty is crouched in front of me, right where I knew he’d be.

Though his position is expected, his words shock the shit out of me.

“I’m done, Ty,” he says, his voice dripping with pain. “I can’t keep doing this. You need help. You need support, outside meand Sawy. You either get fucking help or stay away from me. And especially her.”

No.

No fucking way.

My heart disintegrates, its microscopic pieces scattering around me on the locker room floor.

He can’t do this.

He wouldn’t.

“This isn’t an empty threat,” he says quietly. “You’re a danger to yourself, and I’m starting to worry you’re a danger to others, too. Get help, Ty. I won’t ask you again.”

He rises to full height and offers me his hand.

I glare up at him. I don’t want his help or his hand or his fucking ultimatums. With a shuddering breath, I shake my head and close my eyes, shutting out the world and turning my back on reality.

Chapter fifty-three

Tytus

Iwaited until the locker room was empty before I finally peeled myself off the floor, showered, and booked it to class.

I’m two minutes late, which pisses me the fuck off. I should have been here early. I should have been here waiting to intercept her when she arrived.

As I stalk in, every eye on me, the room falls silent.

I scan the front row and stumble over my own feet when I discover Professor Eden sitting in the seat Sawyer usually occupies. The seat beside mine. The only seat, I realize, still vacant.