Page 17 of Hold 'Em Tight

He looks over my head at his partner, who is driving, then sighs and pulls out my stuff.

“Who do you want to call?” he asks, scrolling through my contacts. I grumble and reconsider not having a pass code.

He looks at me with impatience as I contemplate whether I'm really doing this.

I know I shouldn't bother, but I just need to hear his voice. I can't believe I'm so stupid. Donny was right. I can think clearer now that the alcohol and self pity has worn off.

There are too many people depending on me… and my mama, fuck, she wouldn’t be able to come back if I left her. Losing my father was hard enough.

“Lennox, it's under ‘Baby’,” I whisper, and watch as his eyebrows lift. I wait for the judgement but nothing comes. He presses call and puts it on speaker.

I hold my hand out and he shakes his head. “I splinted your wrist.” I look down at my hand, just now noticing the splint, and nod.

The phone dials once, then an automated message plays, shattering my heart even more.

“We're sorry, the person you are trying to reach is unavailable.”

“Tough break, man,” the paramedic says, ending the call. I turn my head away from him, not wanting to show him my weakness, as a tear slips from the corner of my eye.

He actually blocked me.

“Anyone else you wanna try?” he asks and I nod.

“Can you text Red? Tell her that I love her and I miss her.”

I watch as he texts Rylee, then puts my phone back in the bag. I know he wants to ask me something, but he hesitates.

I lay back down and groan. “Just say it.”

He scoffs and takes a deep breath. “I recognize you… from TV. You’re one of the Black Widows, right?”

“Yeah, what about it?” I grumble, getting defensive. I might have just had my ass kicked, but I can knock this fool out if I have to. One handed and all.

“Chill, man, I was just curious why you look like you fought a woodchipper… That place where we picked you up isn’t the kinda area I’d expect to see you in.”

“My cousin owns the warehouse. Runs the fight. It's a good place to let off steam, or to think.” I yawn, my eyelids becoming heavy.

“Damn, talk about a contradiction,” he mutters, but I don’t care to correct him. It’s not the first time, nor will it be the last that someone has judged me.

When I openmy eyes again, I find that I’m no longer in the ambulance, but in a hospital bed. The monitor in the corner confirms I’m alive, and the ache in my bones proves I’m an idiot.

Colt and Donny are in the corner, arguing about something. I try to sit up and hiss, pulling their attention over to me.

Colt immediately comes to my side to help me, but Donny just glares, placing his hands on his hips.

“Are you done with your little tantrum now?” he snaps, and I groan.

“I deserved that… Sorry for smashing the house up.”

He huffs and smacks me on the arm, not caring that I’m injured there. I hiss and his nostrils flare.

“I couldn't give a shit about the house, Teo. I care that you snuck off to end your life, without a fucking care in the world about us.” His voice cracks, and he turns his head to hide his tears.

“Donny,” I whisper, reaching for his hand, but he pulls away and leaves the room.

“You know how he is, Teo. He will come around, but you did the worst thing you ever could to him today. You almost abandoned him.”

“I know…”