“But…” His gaze drifted to the floor as he debated whether to say what he was thinking. He was a smart kid; no way was he foolish enough to think he’d come home from Texas to see Patrick awake and waiting with open arms. His voice cracked as he spoke again. “Pops, if something…if something happens while I’m gone, can you make sure Patrick knows I love him? Tell him how much I appreciate everything he’s done to help me get to this point.”
I thought I heard a sniffle behind me, wouldn’t doubt it since I was struggling to keep my own emotions in check. Hunter sounded so torn, so broken. “I will. You need to get going. Remember what I said: no matter what happens, you go out there and play for Patrick.”
“We will, Pops. All the guys said the same to me this morning.” He leaned in close enough to whisper. “Don’t say anything to Angie yet, but we’re trying to convince Coach to let us put Patrick’s numbers on our helmets. He might not’ve played for Old Dominion, but all the guys wanted to do something nice to show Angie and Tanner we’re thinking about them.”
This time, I didn’t resist the urge to pull my son in for a hug. Both of us needed the comfort. It was unfair, but I needed to ask Angie and the doctors for a few more days. Hunter needed to play and get home so he could say goodbye.
I waited until the buses pulled out of the tunnel and followed the crowd back to the parking lot. A few people who’d been standing close enough to hear my conversation with Hunter came up to offer their well wishes, asking me to pass them along to Angie. A couple asked how Patrick was doing, thankfully not pressing for more details when I simply shook my head and remained silent. The media had picked up on the accident, but had said blessedly little about his injuries in the past day or two.
As I walked back to the car, I checked my messages. One from Nixon telling me his flight would be in about eleven tonight. Four missed calls from numbers I didn’t recognize. And a message from Angie.
Please come back as soon as you can. I need your help.
21
Nixon
I hadn’t heardanything from Lincoln by the time Teddy dropped me off at the departures terminal at the airport. I’d told him I was more than capable of taking a cab, but he’d insisted, saying he wanted a few minutes away from the insanity that’d become our front office staff. They were second-guessing his every decision because they didn’t see the benefit of sending the team home early when we were preparing for what would be our hardest game of the season.
They cared about one thing only, and that was the score at the end of the game. Most of them were number-crunchers who’d never spent a minute as a player; therefore they couldn’t understand that sometimes the best course of action was to tell your grown men to go home and take a damn nap. We couldn’t afford injuries this week, especially since I wasn’t going to be here to help.
“Remember what I told you,” Teddy said as he popped the trunk to grab my suitcase. I scowled, but let him because he was only trying to be nice. “I don’t want to see you back here until you know Lincoln’s going to be okay. However long that takes, you need to trust your staff to do exactly what you’d do if you were here.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.” The truth was, for the first time in my adult life, Iwasn’tobsessing over dropping the ball on my job. I’d feel guilty as hell if something happened in my absence, but I knew in my heart I was making the right move by flying down to be with Linc. He and Hunter were my family, or hopefully that’s what we were working toward.
“It’ll mean a lot to him, both having you there and having your support, because it sounds like shit’s bad with Patrick.”
“Yeah, it is,” I confirmed. The fact Lincoln called at all and didn’t argue when I told him I’d find a way to be on the next flight out of Wilmington told me how dire the situation had become. We hadn’t talked specifics, but putting the pieces together, I doubted Patrick was expected to wake up.
I stared at my phone while I waited in the line at TSA, willing it to ring. I needed to hear Lincoln’s voice, wanted him to give me all the details about the rally for Hunter’s team. Needed something happy to focus on rather than the fact I was flying to Alabama to be with my—boyfriend? partner?—as he said goodbye to one of his closest friends. I kept trying to put myself in his shoes, but the only close friend I’d allowed myself to have was Linc, and the thought of losing him was unimaginable.
Of course, because I was in a hurry to get to my gate before they made the final boarding call, something on my body tripped the sensors and I was pulled over for a more thorough search. As the agent explained to me the exact procedure, including which part of his body would come in contact with mine, I made the mistake of glancing over my shoulder.
What in the hell? I know Linc’s never had any complaints, but I didn’t think my dick was impressive enough to trip a security alert.
Any other day, I’d have made a quip about expecting dinner after how intimate I was about to become with the stranger, or about how I wasn’t into any kinks requiring gloves, but today, I just wanted him to get it over with. Find out I wasn’t packing any contraband in my briefs so I could sprint through the terminal. Because, of course, with everything already going wrong, my flight was departing from the absolute furthest gate.
Out of breath and covered in a sheen of sweat, I made it to the gate just as the agent made the final boarding call. Luckily, I was traveling light so I was able to bypass the agitated family who was being forced to check their carry-on bags. I handed the other agent my boarding pass. “Thank you, Mr. Cross. Have a great evening. Enjoy your trip.”
Easy for him to say.
It showed how much of an influence Linc had over me that I kept that thought to myself. Today had been a clusterfuck since the minute I woke up, and the only good thing ahead of me was knowing I’d be by Linc’s side for whatever happened in the next few days.
After climbing over the other passengers in my row—damn my need for a window seat—and stowing my bag under the seat in front of mine, I checked my phone one last time before putting it on airplane mode. Lincoln hadn’t responded to my text letting him know what time I’d get to town. That wasn’t too unusual, but with everything going on, it set my nerves on edge.
I shot him one more message to let him know I was on my way and tucked my phone into the pocket of my jeans. Just a few hours and one connection left before I saw Linc again.
When we landed in Birmingham, I turned on my phone to let Lincoln know I’d meet him outside as soon as I retrieved my bag from the carousel. My heart sank when I read the message waiting for me.
Something’s come up. If the offer to rent a car and meet me still stands, let me know. It’s not a good time for me to leave Angie alone.
Not a problem at all. Send me the address and I’ll see you soon,I responded. This plane needed to get to the gate so I could get the hell out of here. I kicked myself for not springing for the first-class seat. If I had, I’d be at the front of the plane and wouldn’t have to wait for everyone else in front of me to get their shit and get out.
As soon as I cleared the jetway, I fought the urge to sprint down to baggage claim. Had to remind myself leaving my bag behind wasn’t a viable option. I breathed out a sigh of relief when I got to baggage claim and saw that the rental desks were directly across from the carousels. While I waited for our luggage to arrive, I took care of renting a car. Didn’t care what size or how much it cost, just told them to get me a car I wouldn’t have to walk a mile to get to.
My phone pinged and I took it out of my pocket to see a response from Linc.Thanks. I promise I’ll make it up to you. In case I forget to say it later, I’m glad you’re on your way.
I smiled, something inside of me warming at the admission he wanted me here. He hadn’t conceded, he actually needed me with him.Getting a car while I wait on my suitcase. Be there as soon as I can. Have you eaten?
