Breaking the Bro Code (Breakin' in the 80s, Book 1)

Molly grabbed her purse and jogged to the car, trying not to think about Hayden and what she would rather do right now instead of going to visit her ex-boyfriend in the hospital.

She pulled into the parking lot twenty minutes later and entered through the main entrance. She stopped at the desk to get Trevor’s room number, climbed the three flights, and followed the hall to his room. After a soft knock, she pushed the door open.

Trevor lay sleeping in the bed. She had expected to see the splint on his leg but gasped at the other injuries.

Bandages covered Trevor’s head and neck and he had a brace on his right arm. His face sported two black eyes and swollen lips, with a neat row of stitches just under the lower one.

She stood in the doorway, unsure if she should wake him. He looked like he needed the rest. She took a step to leave and Trevor opened his bleary eyes.

“Molly, why didn’t you wake me up? How long have you been here?”

She frowned. “I just got here. But I shouldn’t be. You need rest.” She put her hand on the door.

“No, please stay. I need to talk to you.” Trevor tried to move and winced.

Molly rushed to help him. “Hold still. I’ll stay, just don’t move.” She pulled a chair over to his bed. She sat, and he reached for her hand. She held it, looking at his bruised face. “Tell me what happened Trevor. Were you in an accident?”

Trevor groaned. “I wish. That might have hurt less.”

“What happened?”

Trevor looked at his injured leg then closed his eyes. “Tim jumped me.”

Molly gasped and covered her mouth with her free hand. “Tim? Why?”

Trevor nodded then winced again. “Well, he was talking, and I got mad at him. I told him to stop and he blew up.” Trevor met Molly’s eyes then looked away.

“What was he talking about?” Tim was huge, bigger than Trevor. Bigger even than Hayden. Why did Trevor antagonize him? Whatever Tim said, it must have been something bad.

Trevor sighed and gingerly touched his lip. “He was talking about you.”

“Me?” She sat up straighter in her chair.

Trevor gazed into her eyes. “Yes.”

“What was he saying?” She rubbed a shaky hand across her forehead.

Trevor shook his head. “I can’t.”

“Trevor, it’s not fair for you to take a beating and not tell me why.”

He bit his lip, closing his eyes for a moment. “Okay, but don’t get mad at me for being the one to tell you.”

Molly’s pulse raced. “I promise. I won’t”

Trevor took a breath. “He told me Hayden was telling everyone you two had sex at Mike’s party last weekend. And it wasn’t the first time either. Hayden said you’d been cheating with him.”

Molly’s blood froze. “That can’t be true. Hayden wouldn’t do that.”

Trevor squeezed her hand. “That’s not all. Hayden hooked up with Andrea. They’ve been doing it for a while. Tim and Hayden fought, too, at soccer. Hayden’s just bigger than me and could handle it better.” Trevor sighed. “When I told Tim it wasn’t true and he’d better shut up, he got mad. He was so pissed about Andrea and Hayden I guess, and he has a temper. So, I had to take the beating for Hayden’s big mouth.”

Molly stared at Trevor’s damaged face, remembering how Hayden had acted when she questioned him about his black eye. He’d said Tim hit him on accident. Her stomach ached. Trevor’s story made more sense.

“Trevor, how do you know Hayden said any of this? Maybe Tim was lying.”

“Molly, I hate to tell you but,” he looked at their hands and back to her with tear-filled eyes. “Hayden told me the same thing. He was trying to get me to break up with you. I was stupid and believed him. Now I’ve lost you.”

The tears fell on his cheeks and a hollow pit filled Molly’s chest. How could Hayden do this? She covered her face, crying quietly.

“Please don’t cry. It’s not your fault.” Trevor reached over to caress her hair.

She uncovered her face and met his eyes. “Trevor, I don’t know what to say. I thought Hayden liked me. I never knew he could do this.” She sniffed. “God, how could I be so stupid? I knew he was a player. I guess I got played.”

Trevor brought her hand to his lips. “We both did. He was my best friend. I know how much this hurts.” He smiled. “But, maybe now we can get back on track. I know I didn’t always treat you right. Maybe things can be different. Maybe I can be different.”

Molly swallowed her tears. “Let’s try being friends again. Maybe things can move on from there.”

Trevor smiled and touched her cheek. “Okay. I’d take any chance to spend time with you again.”

His words stabbed her heart. They were the words she had hoped to hear from Hayden.

“I think I should go. You need to rest. I’ll try to come back tomorrow after practice. Maybe Cindy will give me a ride.”

Trevor smiled and closed his eyes. It took a second for them to open again. “I hope so. I’ll see you tomorrow.” His eyes closed again, and they stayed shut.

Molly walked to the door, pieces of her heart falling to the floor with her tears. When she opened it, and stepped into the hall, Hayden was there. He smiled that smile, like she was the best thing in the world. She pictured Trevor in the bed behind her, broken because of that smile.

Hayden reached for her and she pushed against his chest. She glared. “Don’t touch me, asshole.”

His eyes widened. “Molly, what’s…”

“Don’t ask me what’s wrong. You know what you did. How could you? You’re just a selfish prick.”

Hayden gaped at her. Molly smirked. Sure, now he has nothing to say.

Tears blurred her vision. God, she had wanted him to be real. The pain from his betrayal drove deep into her heart, tearing it from her chest. She had to get out of there.

“Molly.” Hayden shook his head and touched her arm. “I don’t understand.”

She ripped her arm from his grasp. “Just leave me alone. I never want to talk to you again.”

Molly turned and ran to the stairs. She threw open the door and took the steps two at a time. In the car, she cranked the engine and peeled out of the lot, hoping her tears didn’t blind her on the drive home.