It wasn’t my place, maybe, but Austin had been mine in my heart for so long, I had no other choice.

I slipped out into the living room. It had to be dinner time now. There was a low bass in Endgame’s room, with the door closed. I gasped when I saw him sitting in the living room. There was a glowing orange tip tapping in his hand. The lights were out, but he was silhouetted enough that I could see him. Endgame.

I crossed my hands over my chest.

“Say what you’re going to say.” His voice was gruff.

“You hit him.” Each word snapped off in my mouth like brittle branches.

There was a hollow laugh. It infuriated me more.

“Don’t act like you know him. You’ve been here for a day.” He put his drug on the coffee table.

I let my hands fall and took measured steps until I came right up to his toes. “I’ve known him my whole life. And you may be big. Hell, you could probably knock me out, but I'll make sure that there’s a reason you’re coming to the hospital with me.”

“You’re messing with shit you don’t understand, little girl.”

“And you’re messing with the life of an incredible guy, asshole.”

Endgame stood up and towered over me. And I was pretty tall. He puffed out his chest. “Maybe don’t threaten a guy in his own place.”

“If it makes you uncomfortable, move. I’m staying.” I tipped my chin up and refused to look away. I wasn’t a fighter anymore, but I knew how to fight with Mom. Thanks to my upbringing, I could go to war with this guy emotionally, physically, whatever was needed.

“Pfft.” Endgame stepped to the side so he wouldn’t touch me. He walked past me and opened and closed his bedroom door.

I glanced down to the mug, his cigarette still burning. It was reckless—that little act. Leaving something burning and not caring said a lot about a person. I lifted the butt and tossed it into the kitchen sink, letting water turn the embers black.

I was starting to think I was here for a reason. I might be the only person allowed to see this side of Austin’s life, and it was scary. I sure as hell wasn’t going to let him go through it alone.

4

AUSTIN

I woke up and it was three a.m. I had a blanket tucked around me and Taylor was close by, her hand resting on my shoulder. The washcloth on my face was cold, so she must have replaced it recently.

I lay still, thinking about what had gone down with Endgame.