AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Addison, my name is LeAnn Reed, and I'm a nurse with..."
"Is my mom okay?" I cut her off, pushing out of my chair. Maddy's attention flashed to me.
"How soon can you get here?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," I said. "I can leave now, but probably a day or two."
"She's very ill," Nurse Reed warned. "I'm not sure how long she'll hang on for."
"I'm on my way." I disconnected. "I have to go. My mom is sick." I grabbed my bag. "I have to go back home."
"Oh no, Addy," Maddy followed behind me. "Can I help?"
"No." I forced a smile. "Could you let Coach know, please? I'll be gone for the week." She nodded, and I stormed out of the building.
I didn't have enough money for a plane ticket, and my car wouldn't make the drive, so I'd have to take a bus and pray I made it in time.
FORTY
MADDOX
I had three hours before meeting Addison to go over a term paper that I hadn't even started. Sucking in a deep breath, I scanned the books scattered on the large table in front of me. Addison and I weren't on the best of terms. She was pissed, and I'd have to live with that if it meant keeping her away from Coach. I did a shitty job protecting her before. This time, I wouldn't make the same mistake. I knew Addy would get over it once she realized who Coach truly was, but until then, I had to show her that I wasn't the same stupid kid I was in high school.
"Maddox," Maddy whisper-hissed from behind me.
I shook my head, "I don't have the energy for you today, Maddy," I said dryly, grabbing one of the books and flipping it to the table of content to see if I could use it.
"Maddox," she snapped, sliding into the chair beside me. I didn't bother looking up. I had too much to do in a very short time, so whatever she needed would have to wait. She snatched the book out of my hand. "Maddox, it's Addison." My jaw clenched as my gaze snapped to hers, but when my gaze met hers, my eyes softened. Something was wrong.
"What's wrong?" I snapped, pushing out of the chair. "Is she okay?"
"I couldn't hear everything through the phone, but her mom is sick," she whispered. "It didn't sound good, and she's headed home. She's taking a bus, and I don't think she'll make it in time." I knew that Addy's relationship with her mom was rocky, but I knew she'd regret not making it to see her if something happened and she passed. "Maddox, she has no one but her mom." Maddy was right. Addison's dad died when she was younger; she had no siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins. She had no family left.
"Do me a favor," I said, collecting my things. "Go pick her up and tell her you're going to give her a ride and meet me at my place."
"How am I supposed to get her to agree to that?" She scowled.
"Tell her you're giving her a ride to the station," I said. "My place is on the way anyway, so she won't notice." She nodded and took off.
* * *
Thirty minutes later,I was packed with two tickets booked home, standing in the parking lot with my bag, when Maddy pulled up with Addison.
"I don't have time for whatever this is," Addison growled, throwing open the car door. "My bus leaves soon."
"You're right," I said, opening the back passenger seat door and tossing my bag in. "Our plane leaves in an hour, and we still need to get through security."
"Plane? Our? I'm not going anywhere with you."
"Truce," I called. "I know I'm your least favorite person right now, but please let me help you. If you take a bus, it will take what? Three days?" She nodded. "I can get you there tonight." Her facial expression softened a few seconds before she nodded. "Let's go."
"Wait," she stopped me. "What about football and coach?"
"I've got that covered," Maddy smiled, leaning on the hood of her car. "Just make sure you're at the game on Saturday." Maddox nodded, sliding into the car. "Now, let's go."
The ride to the airport was silent, and all I could think about was that Addison and I were flying back home to where it all started. It wasn't under the best circumstances, but if she needed me, I'd be there.
FORTY-ONE
