He flips me off, which has me relaxing. “Yeah, yeah. Help me up.”
“No,” I grunt out. “You’re not moving until the EMTs arrive. Just in case.”
His eyes close, and he nods. I take his hand, squeezing it. “Just relax, Coach. Help is coming.”
“Better me than you and Voss.”
“What?”
“Had you two not taken a break…” His words trail off, and he swallows hard. “Let’s just say I’m glad you’re not hurt.”
The gravity of what he said has my stomach churning. Had I not had my little meltdown that required Canyon to pull me aside, we could have been smashed a lot worse than Coach. Bile rises up my throat, but I quickly swallow it down.
After the EMTs arrive, I step aside to let them do their job. By this point, police have shown up, and it was determined the driver died on impact. Everyone stayed late to answer questions, but I’m one of the last to get to leave, aside from Gage and Canyon, who are still talking to an officer. I’m numb by the time I make it to the showers, sick at the turn of the day’s events. I quickly shower off and wrap a towel around my waist. Silence greets me in the locker room now that everyone has left. I’ve just opened my locker to change when I see my phone light up on top of my clothes. It’s a text from a new number I don’t recognize.
Ice floods through my veins, chasing away any lingering heat from my shower.
Unknown Number: Watch your back. Nowhere to hide.
My fingers fly over the keypad as I hurry to reply.
Me: Leave me the fuck alone, asshole.
The response is immediate.
Unknown Number: You and your daddy would like that.
Dread poisons my every thought, and I gasp for air. This isn’t a random wrong number. I can feel it with every fiber of my being. This is something else, and it’s personal.
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.
I freeze at the sound, terror immobilizing me. I’m right back in my bed as a child, trying to hide from the mice that are everywhere. Crawling, crawling, crawling. A whimper claws at my throat as tears burn in my eyes. My skin prickles and buzzes as though the very thought of the mice has my flesh coming alive. I’m a trembling mess when the squeaking nears. A shriek of horror bursts out of me when something touches my arm.
“Hey,” the soothing voice croons. “It’s me.”
The shuddering stops as I take in Canyon’s gaze on me, concern etched in his features. He reaches up and strokes his thumb along my cheek. My eyes flutter closed. I lean into his tender touch, needing his comfort more than air right now. His hand slides to my nape, and he presses his forehead to mine, gently rubbing his fingers through my hair.
“You’re okay. Just a panic attack,” he murmurs, words like whispers along my skin. “Coach will be fine, I promise.”
Squeak.
My eyes fly open, and my spine turns to rigid steel. The air in my lungs is sucked out in an instant, leaving me gasping for air. Canyon yanks me to him, hugging me tightly.
“Wonderland, hey, it’s okay. Breathe. Breathe for me. That’s it.” He kisses my neck. “I’m here. Chill out.”
He’s sweaty but still smells delicious. I anchor myself to his scent, trying my damnedest to block out my fears.
“It’s…It’s not Coach,” I croak out when I finally find my voice. “It’s…”
I pull back and hand him my phone. His face transforms from worried to pissed in the blink of an eye.
“Who the fuck sent you this?” he demands, fury radiating from him like heat from the sun.
“I don’t know. I think the wrong number wasn’t wrong after all.”
He fiddles with the phone, blocking the number. “These texts make it seem like…” His words die off, and his jaw clenches. “So help me, if I find out someone did this shit on purpose.”
“It could be a coincidence,” I choke out, though I don’t believe it.
“Come on. We’re going home.”
“Are you going to shower?” Confusion trickles through me, tugging my brows together and making me frown.
“I’m not leaving you alone.” He stands up, his tennis shoes making those squeaking sounds as he walks over to his locker. “Get dressed. We’re going to tell our dads about this.”
I want to argue with him because involving our dads seems like a terrible idea, but I’m also scared shitless. With Canyon and our dads at our side, I feel like I could handle anything.
“Your birthday is ruined.”
He yanks his bag out of the locker, shooting me a soft smile. “You didn’t get hit by that car. I don’t give a fuck about my birthday as long as you’re okay.”
Being with Canyon may be my worst idea to date, but right now, it feels like the best one.