Because It's You (Carolina Rebels 2)

Turning, I see Elizabeth with the window rolled down. “Polo,” I sigh, going over and leaning into the truck to hug her.

“We’re both okay,” she reminds me.

“Not so sure about that.”

“Marc?”

I release her at the sound of Noah’s voice. His eyes widen as he takes in Elizabeth and me, his gaze zeroing in on my hands. I walk over to him, grab his arm, and usher him to Elizabeth’s car. “No questions,” I remind him.

“What the fuck, Marc?”

Handing him the keys, I push him toward the door. “We’ll meet you at the house.” I wave to Meredith, who is parked on the other side of Elizabeth’s car, and then turn to walk to my truck.

“Did you tell him what happened?” Elizabeth asks as I pull onto the road.

“Not yet. You probably don’t want to, but you need to tell Scott. I have to call the team because I’m not going to the game tomorrow, so he’s going to know something’s up.”

“What? Why aren’t you?”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“You can go, Marc. You should go. Nothing major happened and if it’s not tomorrow, it’ll be the next game.”

I scoff. “Nothing major happened? You were kidnapped and—”

“I know what happened!” she interrupts with a shout. “I was there! You’re still going. I don’t want you to stay.”

What in the hell? Why wouldn’t she? I sure as hell wouldn’t want her to leave me after what happened. That’s half of the reason why I want to stay. Whether she needs me or not, I need her. She honestly doesn’t want me to miss a game? She doesn’t want me to stay. Those are the words that repeat in my head over and over like a mantra.

When we get to the house, I hand Elizabeth the keys, so she can go on inside. Both Noah and Meredith get out of the vehicles they’re driving, but I hope they don’t want to come inside because that’s not happening.

“Tomorrow,” I tell Noah before he can ask me to explain myself once again, holding my hand out for the keys to Elizabeth’s car, which he hands over. “Thank you both for coming to help us.”

“No problem,” Meredith replies. “Do you guys need anything?”

“No, we’re good. Thanks. I should get inside and check on her. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I nod to Noah.

Meredith steps forward to hug me while Noah slaps me on the shoulder. Once they’re in the car, I turn toward the house. Elizabeth is sitting on the couch when I walk inside.

“I need to call the team. Give me a few.” She nods, so I head to my room. There’s no need for her to relive it all over again. The call takes longer than I expected, and I start to worry that Elizabeth will be upset over it. My job is still a priority, even if I don’t want it to be the priority. When they ask me if I want to miss tomorrow’s game, I hate that I tell them no.

It doesn’t look like Elizabeth has moved an inch.

“Elizabeth?”

She jumps, and I feel like shit for startling her. “Everything okay with the team?”

“Yeah.” I sit next to her, hooking an arm around her shoulders and pulling her to me. “Are you okay?”

“As okay as you are.”

“Well that doesn’t make me feel any better.”

She laughs a little. “Sorry.”

“Are you sure you want me to leave?”

“Yes. I’ll spend the day with Sylvia and the girls. I would love for you to stay, but I want things to be semi-normal, too. You missing a game is not normal. So, you have tonight to make me feel better before you leave. And don’t feel bad about leaving or anything. It’s one game.”