Page 6 of Hold ‘Em Tight (Solidarity Academy #4)

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 open my 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…”

The door opens and a middle-aged man in a white coat enters with my chart. He looks exhausted. “Mateo Russo?” he asks, looking at me for the first time.

“Yeah.”

“I’ve looked over your scans. You have a sprained wrist, bruised ribs, and a mild concussion.

You’re lucky. It could have been a lot worse.

I have a prescription for the pain. You can get it at the pharmacy in the morning due to the late hour.

Take with milk. Keep the wrist splinted and avoid anything with screens for a few days.

If you start to get extreme migraines, come back and see us. Any questions?”

I look at Colt. “Scans? How long was I out?”

“You were asleep when you arrived, and we proceeded with the protocol. Rest is the best medicine, Mateo. I suggest you take that into advisement over the next few days. The nurse will be in with your discharge paperwork.”

He turns and leaves. Colt is quiet as I get dressed and sign my papers. He pushes the wheelchair to the ramp outside, where Donny is waiting with the car.

They don’t say anything the whole way home either. When we get back to the Cheer house, Colton helps me inside, and I freeze when I see who is waiting for me. Rylee puts Cobbler on the floor, so he can get attention from Donny.

Colt grabs his leash and clips it onto his collar. Donny and him walk out the door, giving me and Rylee a moment.

I shuffle over to her, using the wall for support. My ribs fucking hurt. When I’m close enough to touch, she gasps, placing her hand over her mouth. I give her a smile, wincing at the split lip as I try to shrug.

“Looks worse than it is, baby,” I mumble, and she stands straight, placing her hands on her hips, while pursing her cherry lips. She’s trying to act strong, but I can see the tears in her eyes. And it fucking guts me knowing I’m the reason she’s upset.

“Sit,” she orders, her voice a sharp but cracked demand.

Not wanting to argue with her, I do as she tells me, and take a seat on the couch. I attempt to plop beside her, but it’s more like my head falls into her lap. She runs her hand over my shaved scalp and I sigh.

“Why?” she asks, the question soft and shaky, like she’s trying to hold it together.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath.

“I needed the pain to stop,” I mumble and she gasps, her hands stopping.

A small wounded sound slips from her lips, and my fucking heart breaks.

“Teo, I… I know that I have been distant, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going anywhere.

I just needed some time… some space. Lennox leaving us threw me for a loop, and I needed to take a step back and really think about things.

But I need you to know that I’m here, and I’m not leaving you, baby.

Not ever,” she coos, rubbing my head once again, and my heart aches.

“But I can’t just sit back and watch you do this to yourself.

” She sniffs. “It kills me to see you hurting yourself. I love you so fucking much. Just stop, okay? It’s not worth it.

He’s not worth it.” The last part comes out as a broken growl.

My eyes water, and this time, I don’t hold back.

“Why did he leave us? Why her?” I croak, and she tenses.

“I don’t know, but I promise you, I am going to find out. But in the meantime, I need you to come to me, or one of the guys, before you make another rash decision like tonight.” I snuggle deeper into her, and nod.

“Please, don’t ever leave me, Rylee. I... I don’t think I could take it,” I whisper, sniffling, letting her hold me as I release all of the grief and pain I have been keeping inside. I know I’m safe with her, and she won’t judge me for being weak. For showing how much my heart is broken.

“Shh, I’m here now, Teo. I’m here, and I love you.”