Page 100 of Patrick

And I don’t want to think of the possibility—albeit remote—that I could be expelled if the campus police ever catch up with me. Then we’d be two poor ex-college students without jobs, money, or family to fall back on.

Granted, that’s the worst-case scenario, and highly unlikely, but I’m not taking chances, and I throw myself into the narrative.

Fifi aims the camera at me while I lie propped on one elbow, shirtless, holding a can of Red Bullet and tell the story behind the fight with Vincent.

“I bear no ill will toward the feisty young man, though he has a better right hook than I gave him credit for.”

Fifi joins me in front of the camera, wearing her glam hockey jersey, and hands me an ice pack. I put it over my eye, wincing. Then I end with my best smirk.

“And that’s a wrap.” Fifi jumps off the bed and turns off the video. She replays the clip for us to watch and edit.

“I hope Dart doesn’t rethink the NIL deal. It would be the shortest deal in the history of college sports.”

“You did a great job of explaining things in the video. I don’t see how anyone could see you as the bad guy.”

“Especially when it’s you I was fighting for.” I take my phone and post the video on my IG account.

“Let’s dress and get going before Vincent blows this all up on us.”

“On it.”

While we’re dressing, Fifi gets a call from Carmela because she saw social media posts of the fight. Connor asks to speak with me and lambasts me for keeping secrets.

“We’re getting ready now to go to Trick’s, then our house to tell all.”

“Good.”

“Any advice?”

“Duck quickly.”

I laugh, but my gut twists. If Leo throws a punch at me, I can hold my temper and take it, but if he gets angry enough to touch Fifi… I don’t even want to think about it.

We hang up and I hit my mother’s icon.

“I’m calling my mother to let her know we’ll be there in half an hour.”

Fifi nods and checks her watch, then watches me while Mom answers the phone and I tell her we’re coming. She’s not surprised.

“They know, Fifi.”