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I’m sittingat the kitchen counter, enjoying listening to Hudson give Becket shit for his black eye when my phone rings with Daphne’s picture flashing across it. “Hey.”
My brothers make cat calls and other annoying noises, but I cut them off with a hand in the air when Daphne lets out a horrific sob. “Breathe, Daphne. Breathe. Are you hurt? What’s wrong?”
I push away from the counter and drag my hand through my hair.
Not knowing what happened or how I can fix it.
“Max... It’s Cooper Sinclair. We don’t have the details yet, but his squad’s been captured. We’re on our way to Coach’s house now. I... I need you. Can you meet me there?”
“I’ll be there in five minutes.” She disconnects the call, and I grab my keys from the counter and look at my brothers. “Cooper Sinclair was just captured in combat. Daphne’s at Coach’s house. I’m headed there now. I’ll call you when I know more.”
I don’t wait for any acknowledgement before I leave. And ten minutes later, I’m pulling up in front of Coach’s house. I throw the car in park and see Maddie sitting on the front steps. “Maddie, why are you out here?”
She has tears streaming down her face. “Because it didn’t feel right being in there. Daphne knows them. She’s known them forever. I’m an outsider. I don’t belong here.” She grabs my hand. “I’m going home. I don’t think they need a ton of extra people here. Will you bring Daphne home for me?”
“Yeah, Maddie. I’ve got her.”
She drops my hand. “Thanks, Max.”
I watch her walk back to her car, then knock on the door.
Chloe opens the door. “Daphne’s in the other room with Carys.”
“Thanks, Chloe.” I step into the house, but she stops me.
“Max,” she adds quietly. “Nobody knows.”
“Knows what?”
“I figured D told you about Cooper and Carys.” She’s looking at me with expectant eyes, like I’m supposed to know what that means. “That they were together...”
“What?” I let that thought register for a minute before I start to frown. “They’re stepsiblings.”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know they’re the wrong damn thing to say. Especially now, when Chloe looks ready to deck me. “I’m sorry. You just... Daphne didn’t tell me.”
“The family doesn’t know, so don’t say anything.” She brushes by me, annoyed, and I’m left standing there, stunned.
When I finally catch up and follow her into the family room, Katherine is sitting on the couch with tears streaming down her face, watching Coach, who’s pacing around the room with his phone up to his ear. Declan and his wife are in the corner of the room with a phone between them.
Daphne looks up from the couch where Carys is curled in a ball with her head resting on Daphne’s shoulder.
When Chloe sits down on her other side and wraps her arm around Carys, Daphne stands and walks into my arms. “Thanks for coming.” She wraps her arms around me and kisses my chest.
“Max,” Coach ends his call, and I offer him my hand.
“I’m so sorry, Coach. I don’t know exactly what’s going on. But if there’s anything at all you need, it’s yours.” I run my hand over Daphne’s back, anchoring her to me.
Coach’s eyes are red and raw. I can’t imagine the agony he must be feeling, knowing something has happened to one of his children. “Actually, I hate to ask...”
“Anything, Coach.”
“Can I borrow the jet? I can pay you for it—”
“Take it. Where do you need to go?” My phone is already out, preparing to dial the airport to get the flight scheduled. I’d fly it there myself if it would help this man.
“Brady’s game already started, and he and Murphy are playing. I told the girls to stay put until the game was over. There’s no reason to pull them halfway through. But if we could send the jet down there to bring them home after the game, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll get everything set up now.”
