If you move him wrong, you might paralyze him.” Mia rushes to say, hugging herself, looking like a frightened little child in that moment. She looks terrified and doesn’t dare look at me, because she knows my words aren’t empty threats. They’re fucking loaded promises.
“What?” Cole questions, his voice filled with concern.
“Notice how his head is resting on that rock like that, that’s a direct strain to his spinal cord.”
I look down and notice that she might be right.
“Fuck,” Cole whispers. “What do we do?”
“We don’t have time for this,” I grit out, trying to be brave but I don’t want to risk it.
“Let me help you,” she pleads, coming to crouch beside Cole, then she looks warily at me. “I know you have no reason to trust me and I sure as hell don’t trust you, but if you move him wrong you might hurt him beyond repair.”
“If we get caught—” Cole starts, but doesn’t finish, his meaning clear.
“We can always wait for the ambulance,” she suggests, but I’m already shaking my head.
“If the cops catch us here, they’ll arrest us,” Cole explains softly to her. “We can’t afford that right now. Or ever.”
“But then again, that’s probably what you want, huh?” I seethe, staring at her. “To destroy my family and my future.”
“For Heaven’s sake, Julian Fitzgerald, I’m here to help.” Her eyes and voice harden, her shoulders set back as if preparing for battle. She holds my gaze in the dark, a steely resolve coming over her like an armor. “I came here to help! Now, it’s either you leave him with me for the ambulance to arrive and make your escape now, or they come anyway and arrest you. Either way, you’re not moving him!”
She’s serious, that much I can see in her eyes.
“Listen, J,” Cole starts, “I know this shit’s fucked up but we have to move right now or just roll over and allow them to take us away.”
I know Cole’s right. I know what Mia’s saying is sensible, but after everything, I just don’t fucking trust her ass.
“What will you say to the police?” I demand.
“I was driving along behind him when I saw his car go out of control. There was a loud pop, and he dove out of the car right before it went up in flames,” she answers with a straight face, doesn’t hesitate or pause.
“Where were you coming from?” Cole questions.
“From my father’s office,” she answers, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m even driving his car because mine had to be taken into the cleaners.”
She shoots me a wicked glare, but I don’t react. So what if she knows that I’m responsible for egging and trashing her damn princess car that we both know she can’t afford?
“Do you know him?” I grit out the question, glancing at my brother.
“Not personally. He’s a famous football player at St. Jude High School and I go to Clintwood Academy.” Then she sighs, exasperated. “I’m not a fool. Whatever questions they ask me, I’ll answer. Besides, I’m sure the officers have heard of the rivalry between our two schools, Julian. Trust me.”
“I’d find myself freezing my damn soul in hell before I can ever trust you,” I seethe, holding her stare.
“Well, so long as you know that’s where you live,” she counters, then glances at Cole. “Go. The hospital will contact you soon and you can come to the hospital. I won’t leave his side.”
Cole doesn’t hesitate. He grabs my arm and starts pushing me to his waiting car. I try to struggle, but even I know this is the only way to ensure that Liam gets the proper medical attention he needs and that Cole’s and my futures aren’t messed up by having the headlines saying something as messed up as; “Division 1 college football bound star quarterback, Cole Perry and star defense lineman, Julian Fitzgerald, of the prominent Fitzgerald House, have been arrested for illegal street racing, underage drinking and drug abuse.”
It’s all messed up and all I can do is stare at my brother and the girl who caused this, everything in me warring against the need to do what’s right and keep my promise to protect my brother.
“He’ll be alright,” Mia shouts, looking directly at me. “I promise.”
Maybe I am crazy or maybe I’m a deceitful asshole to myself, but the moment she says those words, I believe her. I don’t want to, but I do.
“Get in!” Cole shouts, banging the side of the door. I run to the