Page 117 of The Heart Breaker

Arrested? What the?—

I find Isabella’s name, hit call, and she picks up on the second ring. “Oh my God. Finally. Where the hell are you?”

“At Cole’s,” I say, my heart lodged in my throat. “What happened?”

“The guys got into a fight with some of the guys from the Westbrook team and they all got arrested,” she says, her voice shaking slightly.

I close my eyes, a sharp breath slipping out through my nose.

Of course he did.

I told him not to do anything, and he still went and got his dumb ass arrested.

I stop at the edge of the bed, my gaze falling to the empty side of the bed and something tightens in my chest. I know why he did it. I know exactly who he did it for. But that doesn’t make this okay. It doesn’t make it any less stupid. He can’t just blow up his life for me.

Isabella lets out a breath. “Just get here,” she says. “Now.”

The line goes dead.

Panic claws at my chest as I get out of bed, searching for my clothes. I come to a stop when I see them in the dryer, and the last few hours come rushing back to me.

I never cry in front of anyone. I hate feeling weak and humiliated, hate being vulnerable in front of people. But when I came to Cole’s and saw his face drop at what Chase had done to me, I just couldn’t hold it in anymore.

All I wanted in that moment was his arms wrapped around me, holding me. I wanted, for once, to let someone take care of me without having to put up a front and pretend I’m fine.

My throat tightens as I grab my clothes, and then the image of him in a holding cell slams back into me and I force myself to move.

I see Isabella the second I pull into the lot, pacing near the entrance with Maisie beside her, both of them turning the moment they see me.

Isabella hurries over first and grabs my arm. “Thank God you’re here. Are you?—”

“I’m fine,” I say, glancing past her at the building. “What’s happening? Where are they?”

“My dad’s still inside,” Isabella says, looking back toward the doors. “He’s trying to get them released, but…” She winces. “They looked rough when they brought them in.”

Maisie lets out a shaky breath beside her. “They haven’t been charged yet,” she says. “I think since everyone was fighting, Coach is trying to say it was just disorderly conduct.”

Before I can ask anything else, the station doors swing open.

Coach Hayes steps out, shoulders stiff, and Isabella is moving before he’s even fully outside.

“Dad?” she says, rushing to him. “What happened? Are they okay?”

He scrubs a hand over his face, looking exhausted and furious. “I managed to get them released pending further review,” he says. “No formal charges have been filed yet, but if Westbrook decides to push it, or if any of those idiots press assault charges, that could change. They’re lucky I know half thepeople in there.” His jaw tightens. “What were they thinking? Do any of you know why they would do this right before the game?”

Isabella and Maisie both shake their heads straight away.

“I do.”

It just spills out of me and all three of them turn to look at me.

My throat tightens as they wait for me to continue. “Cole was…” I hate how small my voice sounds. “He was defending me.” I press my lips together, but it doesn’t stop the wobble in my voice. “I went to see Chase earlier and he…” God, I hate this. Hate having to say it. Hate that it happened to me. “He slapped me.”

Isabella’s face drops, her lips parting in shock.

Maisie’s hand flies to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. “What?”

Coach goes completely still, his expression turning murderous. “On second thought, they didn’t do enough damage.”