Not Quite Enough

13.Nico

It Ain't Over til It's Over // Lenny Kravitz

"Hey, Brax, you in?"

I yell out to the guy who's working on April's upholstery from the empty work room at the back of the building, cringing at the sound of my voice.

"Warehouse!" he calls back seconds later.

I'm covered in sweat from two hours at the dojo doing bag rolls and drills while picturing Matt's face. Two hours that didn't even make a crack in the fury that's still under the surface. If it weren't for the fact that I'd promised Brax my time, I wouldn't be here. Maybe I'd be running the track, although that would put me back on that dickhead's territory so probably not. Knowing me, I'd be working on an engine and tossing my tools around. My tools don't deserve the disservice.

I move through the work area where April's car is stationed, keeping my eyes off of the paint job and chrome. My chest aches just walking by, no way I can get an eyeful and remember the pain I saw in her eyes just hours ago. When I exit the work room and enter the cavernous main warehouse, I see Brax kneeling next to a pristine vintage Harley, a little girl sitting on the floor with a doll right next to him.

"Hey, looks like you've got your hands full." I smile at the little girl with brown curls framing her face and big brown eyes. Brax stands slowly then turns around to look me in the eye. I'm surprised to see him cradling a baby in his inked arms.

"Nico. Right on time." He glances down to the little girl while patting the butt of the baby. "This is my little girl, Daisy, and my son, Robby." The look on his face is pure joy when he takes in his kids. "My wife had a last-minute meeting at school so I've got the kids until she can come pick them up."

"Ah, no worries. Should we work on this later?" I run a hand through my hair, almost hoping he says yes. Working on this car for April isn't the distraction I need today. I already had Angel and Danny give the girls a ride home because I knew in my state of mind, I shouldn't be driving anyone else. I feel violent, have for the past few hours.

Ever since I saw evidence of how people look at the girl I've fallen for.

Ever since I watched her die a little inside because I saw it.

Ever since I realized that she'd hidden it from me because she still feels shame.

"Nah, we're good. Savanna should be here in about ten minutes. Then we can get started." Brax returns his attention to his little girl who happens to be babbling to him about her dolly.

I look on but don't really see them. My brain has gone back to two hours ago when all I could see was red and all I could feel was blind rage.

I wanted to hurt someone. I wanted to hurt Matt. With pain. Lots and lots of fucking pain. I fully intended to inflict said pain and didn't care where the hell I did it. But reality set in. Faculty and staff showed up. Students were waiting for a fight. Like actively waiting for me to show up. It only took thirty seconds for me to read the situation for what it was. A set up. One I did not understand. How the hell did half of the school know I'd just seen those pictures?

Danny shoved his phone under my nose, and I saw the posts that have been share repeatedly, calling my girl a whore. I had no idea my anger could reach those levels. Off the charts furious. I stormed up to Matt, showing him how fucking pissed off I was in no uncertain terms. I kept my fists at my side, clenched my jaw and stared him down. The only satisfaction I had was seeing him twitch just a little. Other than that, he didn't react.

"Watch your step, Matt. Because from now on, that's what I'll be doing. Watching every. fucking. step."

He lifted his chin in acknowledgement, then said the words that have been burning in my brain ever since.