Page 144 of Law Maker
Javi followed me to the couch, worry plain on his face. I went to the cabinet where Ale kept the whiskey and pulled out a bottle.
Before I could open it, Javi yanked it from my grip. “Fuck, no. What the hell are you doing, Ash? You’re on painkillers. You can’t drink.”
“Did you come here to mother me?”
“Someone needs to.”
His words landed like a punch.
He put the bottle back on the shelf and shut the glass door carefully. “I came because if you watched me crash to the tarmac like a rag doll,you’d pack your shit and fly to check on me too. I would’ve come earlier, but Ale told me to wait until you were home. We talked every day.”
I sank onto the couch; standing more than a few minutes still exhausted me. “Thanks for coming.”
“No hay de qué, tío.”Not at all.Javi flopped down beside me. “Want to tell me what happened?”
“An accident.”
Javi snorted. “No shit, Captain Obvious. I rewatched the race a dozen times. That wasn’t you out there.”
“I wasn’t aware my mother had another child, but I wouldn’t put it past her. Hope she actually gives a fuck about that one.”
“It’s me,” Javi said, voice low. “The guy you’ve seen puking his guts out and crying. Drop the act, dude.”
“Want the truth?” I clenched my only working hand into a fist. “I broke up with Kaia the night before because Russell found out and threatened to disown her. Before that, I paid my asshole teammate more than the team paid me to race this season. And now I have nothing.”
That was part of the truth. The other part? Kaia was the only thing I couldn’t stand losing. I missed her so much I almost picked up my phone to beg for forgiveness. But I couldn’t do that to her.
She deserved her dream college, freedom from Russell and his neglect. She deserved more than a guy who couldn’t promise her a bright, problem-free future.
“Elaborate,” Javi said.
I spilled my guts. He wouldn’t let it go otherwise.
“What does Ale say?” he asked. “Can you join a better team next season?”
“After how this season turned out? Doubt it.”
He groaned. “Injuries happen, Ash. Sorry to break it to you, but you’re not the only athlete who’s ever been injured. You’re still one of the most talented racers I’ve seen.”
“Cause you’ve seen so many.” I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the couch. Dull pain pulsed in my temples—the fucking headache again.
“Don’t be a dick,” Javi said.
“Can’t change who I am.”
“Joder.” He blew out a breath. “Fine. Yes, your situation sucks. I get why you did what you did. I’d protect the girl I love from a piece of shit willing to wreck her future just to prove a point. But you can’t give up. The Asher I know wouldn’t.”
Only the Asher he knew was gone. What was left was an empty shell with no will to carry on.
I couldn’t change the situation. Couldn’t turn back time. Couldn’t undo my mistakes.
But I could try to ease Kaia’s pain. With Javi here, I could finally do what I’d planned.
“How’d you get here?” I asked, ignoring his pep talk. “Cab?”
“Rented a car. Figured you’d need help getting around while Ale’s busy.”
Thank fuck.
