AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He pulls Daphne into his arms. “Thanks for bringing the girls home, D. I’m sure one of them will call you with an update.”
“Thanks, Coach. Let me know if you need anything.” She kisses his cheek, then takes my hand and pulls me through the kitchen and out a side door. Once we’re outside, Daphne loses it. Completely breaks down. She throws her arms around me, and tears stream down her beautiful face. “Oh God, Max. They don’t know where he is or if they’re okay. Carys is a mess. I swear to God, she stopped breathing when Chloe told her. Actually stopped breathing. I didn’t know what to do for her. I didn’t know what to say. He’s been the love of her life for years, and Chloe is the only one in that house who knows it.”
“There’s nothing you can do for her right now. That room is full of her family. Check in with her tonight. See if they need anything. We can do whatever they need.” I hold her to me, needing to feel her breathe. “Come on, let’s go home. I’m sure Maddie wants to know what’s happening.”
* * *
When we get back to Dixon’s house, Maddie and her brother are sitting at the kitchen table, waiting.
Daphne texted we were on our way when we got into the car. Then she dropped her phone and grabbed my hand so tightly, I wondered if I’d ever be able to feel my fingers again.
Maddie jumps up and hugs Daphne to her. “Is there any news?”
“No.” Daphne shakes her head. “It doesn’t sound good. It was an ambush. But that’s all we know. Carys is a mess. She’s practically catatonic. I think Declan knows something’s up. But I don’t think he knows what. Not yet.”
“Jesus.” Dixon blows out a long breath. “I can’t even fucking imagine what they’re going through.”
For once, he and I are on the same page.
“I’m just going to step out front. I’ve got to make a few calls to get the jet ready for them.” I take a step toward the door, but Dixon stops me.
He stands from the table. “You can use my office, Max. It’s back this way.”
I follow behind him into an office with big windows overlooking his back yard. A picture of him on draft day, standing with a Kings Jersey and hat in his hands, hangs on his wall. And another of him in his uniform with Maddie standing under his arm sits on his desk. Other than that, there’s nothing personal in here. “Let me know if you need anything or if I can help in any way.”
“Thank you.”
He shuts the door behind him, and I make my calls.
By the time I rejoin the others, the jet is fueled and waiting. Coach Sinclair’s assistant coach is ready to run practice without him tomorrow, and Scarlet has been filled in on everything that’s happening.
Maddie, Dixon, and Daphne are all sitting on the couch, watching some old movie on the TV when I walk back into the family room. When I sit down next to Daphne, she lays her head on my chest and closes her eyes. She’s asleep within minutes, and after an hour, I stand and lift her into my arms. “I’m going to go put her to bed.”
“Hey, Max...” Dixon calls after me. “You gonna stay with her?”
I eye him, not sure how to answer. “That okay with you?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “I think she’ll want you here when she wakes up.”
“Thanks, man.” I take a step forward and realize I have no fucking clue where her room is. “Any chance you want to tell me which room is Daphne’s?”
Maddie laughs at me. “Top of the stairs. Second door on the right. And make sure you shut the door behind you or Cinder will follow you in and sleep on your head.”
Daphne moans and wraps her arms around my neck. “You don’t want to share a pillow with our bitchy little cat. Now, can you please stop talking and put me to bed?”
Maddie yawns, then grabs the blanket from the back of the couch and lays down. “Good luck with that, Max. D’s cranky when you wake her up.”
Ha. She’s not like that when I wake her up with my tongue between her thighs. But now’s probably not the time for that.
After a minute, I’ve got Daphne in her bed, and I didn’t see Cinder follow us into the room, so I think we’re safe from that fate. I pull off my shirt and pants and get in bed and pull her body against mine. “I love you, Daphne.”
She kisses my chest. “Love you too, Max. Forever.”
“Forever.”
