High school.

Of course, she was in high school. It was Levi’s fucking luck that when he found a girl, a real girl, she would be off limits.

Her friend says she’s eighteen. His inner voice reminded him.

Didn’t matter. She was still in school.

Fuck!

After winning the fight, he should have been ready to party, celebrate. What he did was go home and sulk for the loss of Hayes. After that, he pulled a Nox and fucking stalked her house at three in the damn morning. He wondered which room was hers, was she sleeping?

Was the flash of hurt on her face when he’d passed her in the parking lot because of his rejection? Of course, it was, you fool.

He was driving himself crazy. All day Sunday, he’d thought about her. Couldn’t kick her from his mind. He shouldn’t be so damn obsessed over a girl he’d only met three times and barely spent any time with her.

Except…

She was a puzzle he wanted to put together. She had secrets he wanted to reveal. Untapped passion he craved to unleash. It was the mystery of her that was driving him crazy. He wasn’t ready to give her up, and yet, he couldn’t exactly have her, either.

Needing to get her out of his head, he ran the four miles to the shop from his house on Monday morning. Being the first to arrive, he opened everything up and got started on the parts order for the things he was going to need for the overhaul of the ‘44 F1 4x2 truck he’d been working on.

For the first time in his career, he was so engrossed in what he was doing that he hadn’t noticed when Nox showed up. Or that he’d begun work on one of his own jobs until Nox came into the shop.

“When’d you get here?” he asked his older brother as he passed to his station.

“’Bout an hour ago. Didn’t wanna disturb you.”

“Damn,” he muttered, realizing he must have been incredibly absorbed in the paperwork.

“You alright, Levi?” It wasn’t the first time Nox had asked him that over the past few months.

“Fine, Nox.” It took all his control not to snap on his brother. Nothing was said after that.

Levi was still struggling with how to tell his family what he did. The inevitable questions that would come were his problem. He didn’t know what to say to make them understand he was different than they were.

His Ma, sweet as could be, would never understand. She would hate the impact fighting would have on his body. She’d fight tooth and nail to get him to stop, and as much as he loved the older woman, he didn’t think he could.

Fighting was in his blood the way cars were in Nox’s.

Losing himself in his work, he tossed the worries from his mind.

He tossed Hayes from his mind.

If he weren’t careful, she was going to take over his life even though he couldn’t have her.

You could, his inner voice taunted again, she’s eighteen. He was gonna lose his fucking mind soon enough. As more of the guys filtered in through the shop, he was able to block her from his mind. Get his work done.

Until Mac called him. “Levi! Got a customer.”

The man walked away before he could tell him he wasn’t taking any bookings for a while. Wiping his hands on his coveralls, he stopped at the fridge beside the office door and grabbed a bottle of water. Twisting the cap off, he was about to take a drink while walking through the door when he noticed her. Cute little brunette, big fucking smile with probably an even bigger damn mouth.

He was not looking forward to the encounter.

“Do I really have to be here, Dad?” the girl whined to the older man she was with.

“Alyssa, if you want this car, you’re damn well going to know what’s being done to it.” She stomped her foot and pouted, and that’s when her gaze landed on him.

“You ass!” She stormed her way over to him, jabbing his chest.

“Alyssa!” Her father tried scolding her, but she barrelled right on through.

“How could you do that to her? You took something from her she’ll never get back.” Her words were getting louder, causing a couple guys from the back to come see what the commotion was about.

Including Nox.

Fucking great.

“Listen, little girl, what happened is none–“

“It damn well is! Do you have any idea how long it took me to get her to go out? What it took for her to come along with us? No, you wouldn’t ‘cause you’re just like every other swinging dick! You only care about one thing.”

He had no idea what she was babbling about, but he was sick of it. “Shouldn’t you be in school?” The implication was clear.

He should have shut up.

“School?” Her voice was deadly quiet. “That’s such a big deal to you?” He remained silent. “You stupid fool. She’d have graduated already, but life fucking sucks, and she couldn’t. Then she opens up just a little bit, and you go stab her in the back. You’re such a tool.” Before he could say anything, she was turning on her heel, telling her dad, “I don’t want the car that bad. Walking would be preferable.”

The man shrugged his shoulders and followed the loud-mouthed brat out while Levi was left scrambling, wondering what the hell he did. The room was soundless as he processed her words, she’d have graduated already, but life fucking sucks and she couldn’t, and what they meant.

Was he making a bigger deal out of it than it was?

“Levi?” Nox asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. “What the hell was she talking about?”

“Nothing,” he muttered. “I gotta go.”

He left Nox standing with Mac and Asher as he took off for his Charger. It wasn’t until he was pulling up in front of her house that he realized she was probably in school.

* * *

Monday mornings sucked.

That one was particularly hard because Hayes pushed herself harder than she should have the day before in an effort to purge Levi from her mind.

His callous words.

His dismissive attitude.

His sinful body.

She tried to escape the only way she knew how, and it was killing her. She had foolishly had hope for him. She’d thought their connection was something she could anticipate, explore.

Feeling dead for so long, she’d been too eager to connect with someone, and in the end, it bit her in the ass.

Her limp was as prominent as it was the day she’d relearned how to walk after her accident. The pain was excruciating as she tried climbing the front steps to her school. She had both hands in a white-knuckled grip on the railing as she climbed the dozen or so steps. When she finally made it to the top, her leg was on fire, and she was sweating as if she’d just run a marathon.

A hand on her shoulder had her jumping away and twisting her knee as Dustin cooed in her ear, “Missed you after the fight.”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” she muttered, holding her breath, hoping the pain would abate. No such luck. The throbbing only intensified as he spoke. The ringing in her ears prevented her from hearing him.

“Hayes!” he screamed at her, clearly frustrated.

“What?” she snapped back, uncaring of the fact they were gathering a bit of an audience.

“I asked if you went home with that fighter, or are we good to go out this week?”

With her head ringing, she wasn’t thinking clearly as she answered him, “Yeah, sure, whatever.” He needed to just leave her alone.

“Hayes!” she heard Lys call. Shocked that the other girl was at school when she had a free period first thing. Dustin was about to say something.

“Would you people stop yelling at me?” she griped.

“What’s wrong?” her friend asked as she approached them.

“Nothing, I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine,” Lys complained.

“She looks pretty fine to me,” Dustin commented.

“That’s ‘cause you’re looking at her ass, you ass. Now piss off.” Count on Lys to make them run.

“Thanks,” Hayes murmured through tight lips.

“No problem. What happened to you?” she asked again.

“Just overworked myself is all.” It was a straight up lie. She had done exactly what her doctors ordered her not to do and forced her body to run the way she used to.

“You want some help?” Lys asked, gripping one arm around Hayes' waist, not waiting on an answer. “Dad’s picking me up so we can take the Mustang to some shop to be looked at during my free period. I just gotta drop my books off, so we don’t have to go back home.”

“Why don’t you just take them with you?”

“’Cause then I’d have to carry them back on the bus.” Her voice held a note of censure, as though Hayes should have known that.

As they entered through the front doors, she told her friend, “I’m fine. Just gonna get to Algebra and be done with this day, I think.”

“Why would you even come in? You’re in so much damn pain. I can have Dad take you home.” Her offer was sweet.

“I’ll be okay. Got that big test in Algebra today, anyway.”

“Call me later, let me know how you’re feeling?” Nodding, they parted ways as Lys spotted Brett down the hall with some football players.

Limping to her first-period class, Hayes almost wished she could have skipped school today. Her pain level was as high as ever, and she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the test, anyways.

No one said this would be easy.

She could practically hear Ryder’s voice in her head when she first started her Olympic training. With those dreams in the trash, she needed to ace her classes if she wanted to study Food Science and Nutrition at Colorado State in the fall. She’d been accepted months ago, but she still felt like she was coming up short in her work.

She felt like she wasn’t good enough.

Getting settled into a seat that was always empty in the back, she didn’t want the teacher, Mr. Pike, to notice just how much she was struggling. He was one of the few teachers that paid attention to his students, and she knew he’d catch on to her discomfort, immediately.

Students started trickling in one by one, and the more noise they made, the more her ears rang. It was almost like her head was trapped in a tunnel, and the other kids were screaming and banging on the outside.

There was an echo she couldn’t explain.

When Mr. Pike entered the class, everyone quieted down without him having to say a word. He went directly for the tests he’d had prepared, handing them out individually.

As he came to her desk, she froze.

“You all right, Miss Morrison?”

“Fine,” she gritted out between clenched teeth.

“Let me know when it’s too much” was all he said as he went on his way. “All right, class. You have ninety minutes, make them count. Drop your papers on my desk as you finish.”

Just like that. As if the test weren’t forty percent of their final grade. He tossed his feet up on his desk while reading some sports magazine.

An MMA fighter on the cover.

Her blood boiled, and she was hurt and pissed off all over again.

Stupid men.

Letting the pain consume that part of her mind, she concentrated on the equations in front of her.

Right angles.

Unknown theories.

Pie squared.

A dozen variables.

All equations she wished she could concentrate on as the throbbing in her leg and hip picked up again. Sitting still wasn’t going to help her any either.

Suffering through the exam, Hayes felt she might have done better than she thought she would by the time the first hour was up, and she was handing the paper over.

“I’m going home,” she whispered.

“Go to physio, Hayes,” he told her without looking up.

The MMA glaring at her as she walked out of the class.

* * *

Levi foolishly sat parked in front of Hayes’ house for nearly an hour. She had him tied up in knots, and he didn't like it. She was quickly becoming a habit he couldn’t, or maybe wouldn’t quit.

When Tuesday rolled around, he found himself in the same spot, only earlier. Hoping to catch her before she went to school.

Armed with double chocolate chip muffins and green tea—Soph swore she’d like it—he sat on the hood of his Charger and was waiting for her at seven a.m. By the time seven thirty rolled around and she still hadn’t come out, he thought he might be too late, period. Maybe she was one of those people who liked arriving at school hours before it started. Maybe she saw him and was hoping he’d go away.

“Can I help you, young man?” An older man had come out from behind the detached garage with garbage cans in tow. Standing straighter, he figured he must be Hayes’ father.

Levi walked over to the gentleman. “Hi, I was waiting for Hayes,” he explained.

The man looked him up and down like a bug under a microscope; a feeling he wasn’t used to. “You’re aware she’s in high school, right?”

Why did everyone have to keep bringing that damn fact up?

“Painfully so,” he admitted.

“Aren’t you a little old for her?”

“I don’t know.” It’s something he was struggling with.

The man watched Levi for a full minute before finally offering, “Come on in, she’ll be up by now.”

“Great!” He cheered inwardly. Offering a hand, he introduced himself. “I’m Levi Hogan.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Hogan. I’m Eric, Hayes’ father.” Following behind the man, they entered the small house. Framed photos dotted nearly every wall and surface.

Pictures of Hayes at varying ages, of her parents.

The one that really caught his eye was of Hayes hugging another man, a look of worship on her face. Had to be a few years old.

“That’s Ryder,” Eric said from beside him.

“She’s mentioned him.” He recalled briefly.

“She has?” Disbelief laced her father’s question.

He studied the man, really looked deep, and what he saw made Levi believe this family held just as many secrets as Sophia’s had. Only theirs looked to be more painful than shocking.

“Only briefly,” Levi said. “Who is he?”

Before an answer could be given, he heard a woman’s voice. “Eric? I thought you’d… Oh, hello?” The woman’s greeting sounded more like a question.

“Andrea, this is Levi. He’s here to see Hayes,” Eric explained.

“Ma’am.” He nodded his head in greeting.

“I don’t think so,” she blurted out, shocking both him and Eric.

“I beg your pardon?” He had to have misunderstood her.

A storm brewed in her eyes as she told him, “Hayes isn’t interested.”

“Mom?” He heard her call.

“I’ll be right there, honey!” she responded back.

He detected pain in Hayes’ voice, though. Worry raced to the forefront of his mind. “What’s wrong with her?” He wasn’t thinking as he rushed past them to see Hayes with a brace attached to one forearm as she was trying to make her way down the stairs. “What the hell happened?” He didn’t mean to sound so angry.

“What are you doing here?” She tried to sound just as pissed, but he heard the agony underneath.

Climbing the stairs two at a time, he searched her for injuries from feet to head. The bags under her eyes spoke of the pain she was in as well as her pale features. Trembling in one leg told him where it stemmed from.

Scooping her up into his arms, she protested, “Levi!”, as he carried her down the hall to the door that held a sign showcasing her name in Olympic rings.

He smirked. His girl was going for gold. He liked it.

Pushing through the entrance, he could hear the footsteps of her parents scurrying up the stairs as he lay her on her mattress. Sitting beside her hip, he asked her again, “What happened?”

“She overdid it,” her mother answered him.

The mutiny on Hayes’ face that was aimed at the woman had him smiling.

“I’m fine,” she snapped at everyone in the room.

“Obviously not,” he snapped right back.

“Go away, Levi,” she told him, refusing to meet his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered low enough that only she would hear. Her gaze finally darted to his, and he saw her on the cusp of tears. “Don’t cry, sugar.”

“Hayes?” her mother questioned.

“We’re okay, Mom.”

Her parents left the room and quiet settled over them as they watched each other. He was fascinated by her strong, yet soft, personality. She was always throwing him for a loop.

“Wanna talk about it?” He wasn’t asking about anything specific but figured it could cover just about anything.

“I pushed myself too hard. I shouldn’t have done it, and now I’m paying the price.”

“What accident?” He knew she’d know what he was referring to as soon as he said the words.

“That,” she said pointedly, “I don’t want to talk about.” Anguish lurked in her gaze, more now than when he’d first run her down in the park.

“I’m sorry about Saturday,” he told her, hoping they could retain some sort of relationship. It killed him that she was in high school. His biggest fear being what people would think.

Not of him. He couldn’t give two shits what anyone thought of him other than his mother. But what they’d say about her.

Maybe they wouldn’t comment about her specifically; maybe it would be directed more towards him. He had a feeling, however, that no matter the rumor, it would still hurt her.

“About what?” she barked. “Making me feel used after getting you off or rejecting me like I was nothing after making me promise to stay away from Dustin?” That name made Levi growl involuntarily.

Her distress had him closing his eyes.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he clarified.

“Yeah, well, it’s probably best this way, anyhow. No false promises.” Things weren’t going how he had hoped. “Just go, Levi.” Her voice sounded desolate, and he hated it.

He had done this to her.

Whether she said it or not, he knew he was the reason she’d overworked herself. He was the reason she was sad.

He had to fix this. He just didn’t know how.

With that thought, he granted Hayes her request and left the house.

* * *

It physically hurt to see Levi.

Hayes shouldn’t be so invested in him; nevertheless, she couldn’t help it.

There was a greater force at play, and she was struggling to fight her way away from the feelings he evoked by just being in the same vicinity as her. She became a bundle of hormones and not the rationally-minded woman she strived to be.

When he’d seen her on the stairs struggling to even walk, his pain had been just as intense as hers. His eyes shined with regret as he took her in.

The minute he’d picked her up and carried her to her room, her body screamed warmth and comfort in his embrace. She both hated and loved it.

Her mind hated him.

Her body sung for him.

His flinch as she accused him of using her nearly had her caving in to hear what he had to say. But she couldn’t. She wouldn’t allow herself to be sucked into a relationship with a man who would resent her because she was still in school. It didn’t matter that she’d have graduated by now if only the accident hadn’t happened. But it did, and she didn’t, so it apparently meant everything.

Another time, another place, and maybe they could have had something.

As it stood, she hoped she didn’t have to see him again.

She had to keep reminding herself that his leaving was a good thing. That she needed him to go so she could focus on school, on getting her body back into shape. Her heart needed to shut the hell up and quiet down its temper tantrum.

Concentrating on her new goals was imperative.

He was too sinful a distraction.

“Honey?” Her mom, bless her heart, was a nosey busybody.

“I’m fine, Mom.” That seemed to be her standard response, and if the look on her mother’s face were any indication, she’d figured out it was code for back off.

“I want you happy again, Hayes.”

Turning on her side, her back to her parent, she watched the tree outside her window billow in the wind.

“I miss your laughter.”

Her eyes misted.

“The way you used to storm through the house with those clunky sneakers on, teasing us about one thing or another.”

A tear rolled lazily down her cheek.

“I miss you, Hayes.” Her mother’s words were fraught with emotion.

More sentiment than she wanted to feel.

“I miss Ryder.” God did she ever. “I miss running.”

“I know you do, honey. We all do.” Even though she could feel the tears in the older woman’s voice, she was still doing the mom thing: the comforting, the loving.

Hayes didn’t need it, nor did she want it.

“I miss having hopes and dreams.” Her words came out bitter. Angry. Accusatory. She had no one to nearby to accuse, though, no blame to place on anyone but the idiots who hit her. And herself for going out for a run on a road she’d known better than to have been on alone, especially in the dark.

“I’m sorry, Hayes.” The whisper followed by the click of her door closing felt so final. As if they were giving up on her. The bitterness eating inside of her said she didn’t need them.

Her heart screamed she couldn’t blame them.

Hayes had been nothing but angry and irrational since it all happened. She used to be someone who volunteered with local youth groups tutoring younger kids. She was a functioning member of society. Now, she was nothing but a rage-filled hormonal teenager.

She hated herself so much for twisting the knife in her mother’s back before basically kicking her to the curb.