Page 181 of Falling Offsides

Fuck, I didn’t even tell him I was leaving. He has no idea, and it’s not like Dad will tell him for me.

I can’t remember the last time I felt this alone. This isolated.

I can’t call anyone, and I won’t leave. Going back in there will just cause a scene.

So I sit and wait. Silently unravel as time drags by and then the sun starts to set in slices behind the clouds.

Cold and exhausted I push to my feet, pacing the green outside the hospital until I spot Martin walk out. Cigarette in his mouth, ready to light, and his phone in his hand.

He’s so engrossed, he doesn’t see me standing there until I clear my throat.

“Shouldn’t you be gone?” He lights up with a long puff before he exhales slow, smoke curling around his smile.

“I just need to know my mom’s okay.”

“You don’t need to know anything,” he says, stepping toward me. His voice shifts—mocking at first, then venomous. “She was a wreck after your call. You broke her. Crying so much she couldn’t see straight. It’s why she crashed. You did this to her.”

My stomach twists, bile rising hot. “You’re a fucking liar.”

His hands shoot out as he flicks his cigarette and grabs my shoulders, hard enough to hurt.

“Catherine crashed because ofyou.”

“Get off me! You’re hurting me,” I snap, shoving at his chest. “Let go.”

“I told you you’re not welcome here.” His face is close, breath sour and furious.

“I’m not leaving.”

His grip tightens, shaking and shoving me away from the hospital entrance. “You’re a selfish little bitch. The worst thing your mother ever did was keep you and?—”

Martin doesn’t finish. The words are ripped from him with yip at the same time I’m yanked out of his hold and tucked behind a broad wall of man.

Auguste.

My tears break free as I choke on my ragged breaths. I’m frozen, watching him slam Martin against a pillar so fast the asshole is dazed.

“I warned you once,” Auguste growls, voice low and lethal, “and that’s all the fucking privilege you get from me.”

Martin’s on the tips of his toes, face darkening to a strangled shade of purple as Auguste shakes him violently up the wall by the collar of his expensive shirt.

“Sir!” A deep voice calls behind us. The hospital security comes up behind Auguste. “Step back. Now.”

Auguste doesn’t flinch. His forearm pins Martin to the concrete. “I’m going to fucking end you.”

Martin gurgles a laugh as another security guard comes out and Auguste drops him.

“Watch your back, Martin,” Auguste gesturing at his eyes and then back at the bastard.

“Sir, you’re going to need to leave or we’ll have to call the cops,” one of the guards says.

The other that is checking on Martin adds, “This is a hospital. Can’t have you disturbing the peace.”

Auguste turns to me and holds out his hand. The instant I take it he tugs me into his side and envelops me in his arms.

“C’mon, Princess,” he murmurs, taking me to the bench where my backpack is sitting. “Did he hurt you?”

I look up and his intense stare is roiling deep and dangerous. “He won’t let me see my mom.”