Chapter 47 AN ARM FOR AN ARM
CHAOS.
Strolling down the hallway with my hands dipped inside my pockets, I barely noticed the students who hastily got out of my way, avoiding eye contact.
The gossiping girls by the lockers suddenly fell silent, but I spared none of them a glance because I was too deep in my own thoughts.
I had better things to worry about. I was on a mission to make things right, but the sight of Merrielynn’s arm in a sling kept replaying in my mind.
I had seen it and ignored it.
Acting indifferent was hard; it gnawed at me and now, I was feeling vengeful.
Someone had hurt her again, and I just knew who it was. It stung even more knowing I hadn’t been there to help her, too caught up in my own mess the day before—getting wasted and fighting with my best friend.
Now, I was going to handle things the best way I could. And my way was always messy.
Walking into the locker room, the noise of my teammates hit me. They were all unwinding after practice, laughter and chatter filling the space.
I scanned the room for Valtor and finally spotted him in the back, taking off his shirt. I made my way over, arms crossed, just waiting for him to notice me.
When Valtor finally turned around, he sighed, a clear sign he was already over whatever was coming. I could feel the tension hanging between us, but I kept my mouth shut, for now.
I just watched him as he took off his sweaty shirt, tossed it aside, and grabbed a clean one.
Standing in the locker room while Valtor changed, I remembered how we had thrown punches at each other the previous day, pulling at each other’s collars—something we had never done before.
The silence between us felt heavy, almost suffocating, until he finally broke it with a sigh. “I’m sorry for stepping out of line, man,” he said, his voice low. “And for hitting you.”
A smirk appeared on my lips when he said that. I was relieved we didn’t have to go back and forth and happy that I got my friend back.
“Well, I’m not sorry for hitting you back,” I told him, and we both laughed at that, which was a welcome relief that eased the tension. Just like that, things felt a bit better—definitely not perfect, but better.
As the laughter faded, I figured I should give my friend some type of assurance. “She won’t come between us, Val,” I told him in a serious voice. “She can’t.”
Valtor’s gaze dropped as if he were thinking about what I’d just said. “But she already is,” he replied quietly before returning his gaze to me directly. “What will you do if she never gets her memories back?” he added, staring into my eyes while waiting for an answer.
I met Valtor’s gaze, studying him as I wondered what was going through his mind in that moment. I didn’t have an answer to his question. I mean, I had thought about it—the grim possibility—but the words stuck in my throat.
Valtor tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Or what will you do when she does?” he amended his question.
Honestly, I thought that the second question hit harder than the first, and it made my stomach twist. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came.
What’s important is that she won’t be coming between us.
There was nothing to bother about.
––––
After that conversation, I found myself sitting in a diner, waiting for Emorie.
Fucking odd, yeah.
I had sent her a text with the number I’d pulled from the yearbook, but I had no idea if she'd actually show up. Still, I held on to hope.
From what I’d seen, Emorie had started to value Merrielynn as a friend, and I was banking on that bond.
Thinking about her, I couldn’t help but admire her strength; surviving in Pinnthorpe without anyone noticing her took guts. Making it to senior year without a scratch—mentally, physically, you name it—was impressive. She had heart, and today, I needed to tap into that heart.
My message to her read, ‘Meet me at Al’s Diner if you want to help your new friend.’
When she finally showed up, I approached her but immediately noticed the weariness etched on her face. I tried not to scoff because I wasn’t even trying to make her nervous.
“Hey,” I tried to be nice. “Let’s go to my car.”
I noticed her reluctance as she glanced around, and I could see that uncertainty flickering in her eyes. After a moment, she nodded, and we walked outside together.
Once we were out in the cool air, I turned to her with a serious expression. “I need you to break someone’s arm.” I watched her face shift from confusion to shock, but I was dead serious.
“What?” she gasped, her eyes widening.
“Can you do it?” I asked, really hoping she wouldn’t chicken out.
After studying me for what seemed like forever, she finally said what I wanted to hear. “Whose arm?”
“Get in the car,” I urged, and she climbed in, the tension radiating off her. I drove us to the apartment building I knew all too well; after all, I’d been here countless times.
The bellman let us in without question, and I led Emorie upstairs. In the elevator, I could feel her tension beside me. I almost found it funny, the way she was coiled tight like a spring, she was either cowering away from me or mentally preparing herself for what we were about to do.
When we reached the red door, I knocked and glanced over at Emorie.
“Grab the wrist, twist with all you’ve got. Don’t worry about repercussions—I’ll protect you,” I instructed, looking straight into her eyes.
Her eyes widened, but she nodded, and I could see the resolve starting to form in her.
Good.
Just then, the door swung open and we came face to face with Juniper.