Free Safe With You by Sophie Lira Page A

Kyle-fucking-Avery.
    UNC baseball.
    He was called the next big star by every sports outlet. I never really connected his name and I have no idea why. I distinctly remember watching a special on college baseball on ESPN with Natasha.
    And now he’s here.
    And he likes me.
    I swallow hard, scrolling through no less than twenty results. I stop at a video titled “ Kyle Avery horrible collision at Vanderbilt. ” Another piece of my brain puzzle connects. Shaking my head, I click play . His stance is exactly the same, as is his concentration. The ball launches with such power I feel it deep in my bones. He rounds third and I see it coming a mile away.
    A shriek escapes my mouth before I can stop it.
    His screams.
    The sight of his fibula ripping through his skin.
    The blood.
    The bench-clearing fight.
    Just as an older guy who looks exactly like Kyle and an umpire tackle a spectator, who I’m assuming is his friend Cam, I slam my laptop shut. I gasp through another few breaths and hold my chest. I can almost feel my heart breaking.
    Like a zombie, I drag myself into the shower. The scorching steam helps me breathe, but I can’t get past it. I don’t want to tell him I know because I feel if he wanted everyone to know, he would have told us. Aubrey was so right: he does need someone as much as I do.
    I finally have enough of a grasp on reality to get ready on time, but I feel if I talk too much, I’m going to blurt it out to everyone. So I keep my mouth shut from the time Aubrey picks me up until we pull up to an ancient brick building with wrought iron balconies and big bay windows. I glance at Aubrey. “Seriously?”
    Aubrey shrugs with a smile. “What did you expect? Our shitholes?”
    “Kyle lives here ?” I glance outside again at the old warehouse converted into luxury apartments. He must have gotten a sweet as hell settlement or something to afford this place.
    “Uhm, well he does have a boss Range Rover and his wardrobe is definitely worth more than yours and mine combined.” She shoves the door open and hops out of the car. “Let’s go.”
    I follow her inside the lobby, complete with royal blue couches and modern white tables. Exotic flower arrangements in a rainbow of colors line the counters, and I can only imagine the amount of wealth I’m going to walk into when we get to his apartment. Aubrey stops at the security desk and a knot forms in my throat. She hands her ID to the portly guard with a giant pair of headphones over his head.
    “Can I meet you upstairs?” I dart my gaze to the lobby bathroom. “I need a minute.”
    “Sure, he’s in Twelve-A.” She takes the card back and walks toward the elevator, seemingly oblivious to my dysfunction.
    After the doors close, I squeeze my eyes shut and hand the guard my license.
    He swipes my ID through a scanner and gives me a wink. “You’re good to go. Have a nice night.”
    “Thanks.” I walk into the bathroom and take a good look at myself in the mirror. Thanks to a nice long shower and clean clothes, I feel better. Aside from my eyes being more hazel than normal from my meltdown, I’m not a puffy-faced disaster. I run a brush through my still-damp hair and then pin it up into a ballerina bun. I slather on some more lip balm and wish I had concealer for my dark circles.
    I rip open the bathroom door just as Kyle walks by in the lobby. His hair is still wet from the shower, and if he smelled any more delicious, I’d lick him. No guy should look this amazing in a pair of old shorts and faded T-shirt.
    “Whoa, what’s the matter?” He takes a step toward me and tips my chin up.
    Kyle, on the other hand, misses nothing.
    “My brother canceled on me. He was going to come out for my birthday and he gave me some excuse about meeting his girlfriend’s parents. I’m just really disappointed.” The words tumble out. I think I’m more shocked I told him the actual truth. At least my new knowledge from sleuthing didn’t come roaring out instead.
    He