Page 156 of Faking the Goal

I look down at the ramen that tasted so damn good five minutes ago and take another bite, but some of my appetite has disappeared.

We eventually go back to eating, only this time, the kitchen stays unusually quiet.

CHAPTER 22

TAYLOR

I can't get the image of Sam lying in that hospital bed out of my head after Kentaro and I leave her room.

We stopped by earlier to check on her and Zach, bringing flowers and a fruit basket because neither of us really knew what else to bring. Sam and I haven't had the chance to properly meet before, much less actually talk, but seeing her so weak still broke my heart. She looked exhausted, like even being awake was taking more out of her than she had to give.

And Zach...

I've known him long enough to know he's usually one of those people who can find something to smile about no matter what. He's always been nice to me. Always easygoing. Seeing him sitting beside his sister looking completely worn down from worry was almost as hard as seeing Sam herself.

I really hope she gets through this.

God, I hope she does.

Kentaro and I are walking through the hospital parking lot when he glances over at me.

"What are you doing after this?"

"I'll head back to my apartment and grab a nap before I have to get ready for work."

A grunt slips out of him.

I turn my head. "...What's that grunt supposed to mean?"

He hesitates, his jaw working slightly before he finally says, "Do you really have to work at the club?"

"Uh... yeah?" I give him an incredulous look. "If I don't want to go hungry or end up homeless, I've gotta work."

He drags a hand through his hair.

"I'm just thinking it might not be the safest place for you right now."

I already know where this is going.

"People are constantly coming in and out of there," he continues. "What if this guy has been going there too? He could sit there watching you all night and nobody would think twice about him because he'd look like every other customer." His mouth tightens. "Until the police figure out who he is, I'd rather you stay away from places where he can get that close to you."

I study him for a moment before sighing.

"I get why you're worried, Ken-chan. I really do. But I don't have another option."

His expression doesn't change, so I keep going.

"I'm not some trust-fund baby. I don't have parents wiring me money every month or some magical emergency fund waiting to save me whenever life goes sideways. I need to work." I give him a small shrug. "And I can't stop living my life because of this creep. If I start hiding every time I'm scared he might be somewhere, then eventually I'm not going to leave my apartment at all."

His mouth opens.

"Then at least take tonight off."

"I can't."

"I won't be there."

I tilt my head. "Why?"