Page 122 of Chasing Headlines

I ran a hand over my forehead.What could be worse?

“His dad kicked him out.”

“Uhn, is that really worse?” I looked at Hilda. She shrugged.

“I guess we have something in common. But he did lose his maman, Livia.”

“He’s just been keeping all this bottled up? No one knew?”

Antonio held out his hands. “Seems like it.”

“He needs to go to the hospital. I've done the heavy lifting on his wound, but this is serious and if he?—”

“We can't. Can we?” I shook my head. “I've lost track of which is worse.”

“We could. But we don't have a good explanation. Coach'll kill me.” Antonio dropped his chin to his chest. “And Underaged drinking with his probation? Could actually send him to jail.”

“Then we can't.” I glanced at Hilda.

“He could have permanent injury if not treated. But, I'm just pre-med. Maybe there's a unit on how legal problems magically solve cases of severe trauma.” Hilda threw the package of gauze across the room.

Antonio cringed and met my gaze. “We could let him decide?”

“The one with a brain injury? Good plan.” Hilda snarled.

“Who else do we call?” Antonio held out both hands. “He's an adult, kicked out by his dad.”

“And no mom. So, Coach? And that's the same as telling on him.” I hung my head.

“This is madness! I am not getting in trouble for him.” Hilda gestured and pushed Antonio away.

“Why would you get in trouble over anything? Antonio and I are the ones with our necks on the line. And I'll tell anyone who asks we used bubblegum and floss to stitch him up. We didn't, under any circumstances, consult my roommate, the pre-medstudent.”And no one will believe me, but they won't be able to prove anything.

“Floss?”

I shrugged. “For the stitches?”

“Then why the bubblegum?” Hilda shook her head.

“Can't it just be a saying? I'll use duct tape then.”

“You kill me. You just . . . kill me.” Hilda turned away waving a hand in dismissal.

Why was I making it my problem anyway? I didn't bring them here. I didn't have anything to do with this whole fiasco. Except . . . make out with the guy while he was concussed and likely out of his senses.

“I am angry with you. Both of you.” Hilda pointed at each of us in turn. She turned and rushed from the room—her bedroom door slamming behind her.

“Dammit.” Antonio let out a deep sigh and ran a hand through his dark hair. “She's not wrong. But I dunno, I was the one who invited him. Was a dumb thing to do. I just. He looked like he needed a friend.”

“You're one of the good ones. Hilda will come around.”

“Yeah. Hope so. Suppose I have at least the next three years to convince her. Unless she takes out that restraining order she keeps promising.” Antonio shook his head.

“Would put a damper on your budding romance. But she's just . . . driven. I think you scare her. Not like in a threatening way. But in that 'you're not on her medical school plan' way. I don't think any man is. And I get it. But like who wants their life all mapped out at eighteen?” I sat down on the edge of the couch and remembered the last fight I'd had with my father.

“You need discipline, Olivia. And to be here for charitable events and to meet people of the right caliber. It's good to have a degree, but you won't really need it.”

I sighed. “What could be more boring than that?”