Page 154 of The Illicit Play

The phone rings until it cuts off, and then Grady lets out a sigh, obviously about to answer him when the phone starts ringing again.

“Oh, just fucking take the call,” Wily growls.

My face scrunches as I swallow down my own growl. Stupid fucking phone call!

“Hey, Bella. What’s up?”

Who’s Bella?

With a confused little humph, I walk down a few more steps, then stop when Grady’s voice pitches.

“What?” It’s impossible to miss his shocked panic, and I race down the stairs before I can think about it.

Instinct has me rushing to check on him, and my gut plummets when I take in his ashen expression.

“When?” His voice gets sharp. “At the hospital?… Yeah, I’m on my way.”

He hangs up, sees me standing in the archway of the living room, and his brown eyes darken with intensity, his jaw clenching.

“Are you okay?” I whisper, my heart thudding erratically at the silent agony pulsing out of him.

Wily whips a look at me, runs his eyes down what I’m wearing, then turns back to check on Grady. “Dude, what’s up?” He grabs for his crutches.

Grady holds up his hand to stop him. “Teah’s been in a car accident. That was one of her sisters from the sorority. They’re freaking out. Thought I should know.”

“Is she okay?” Wily’s obvious concern makes me realize what a part of the Football Frat family Teah used to be.

“I’m not sure, man. It sounds pretty bad. She’s in the hospital.” Grady looks so torn up right now. “I need to go check on her.”

“I’ll come.” Wily struggles to stand.

“No. I’ll go,” I tell my brother, then turn to the side table where Grady keeps his keys.

He needs me right now, and I can’t care that we’re going to see his ex-girlfriend. Grady looks too cut up to be able to drive, so I will take him. And I’ll make sure he gets through this… no matter what it costs me.

CHAPTER 53

GRADY

Teah’s in the hospital.

It’s bad.

Bella was crying on the phone. She hadn’t made it to the hospital yet, but she needed me to know.

And I have to be there for her.

She may not be my woman anymore, but the idea of Teah dying kinda kills me.

She better be okay.

I have to find out what happened.

Car accident.

Was she driving?

Or was it Mac?