Chapter 12
First away game of the season, and we’re smashing the other team by three. Ninth inning, two strikeouts, last play. My pulse pounds, heart races, and the adrenaline runs through my veins. The crowd grows quiet, and my foot taps the dirt on the pitcher’s mound.
My narrowed eyes zone in on the person up to bat, his stance, and Dex’s hand showing me the play. Taking a deep breath, I turn, get in my pitching stance, rear my arm back, and release the ball. It zooms through the air at full-speed, and the batter swings and misses, the umpire calls strike and throws his arm down and to the side. Once again, my fastball takes us to victory. We win 5-1! Coach and my teammates run at me, clapping and cheering, and then I’m lifted off the ground.
My team stands in a line out on the field next to our opponents as we walk, our hands held out to slap against our opponents’ hands as we each say, “Good game.”
We jog to the locker rooms, where I strip off my sweaty uniform, shoes, and socks and throw them in my gym bag. Grabbing a towel, I wrap it around my waist and walk to find an empty shower. I’m ready to get back on the road for this two-hour bus ride home so I can celebrate with Cydney.
Rushing through my shower, I quickly lather my body with soap, shampoo my hair, and rinse off. After I have turned the lukewarm water off, towel dried myself, and walked back to my locker, I start dressing in the slacks and button-up dress shirt we are required to wear on game days. I put on my black dress shoes and get my tie fixed up just right, then grab my phone and call Cydney.
It rings and rings. She normally picks up, but not this time, so I send her a text letting her know we won and that we are going to The Dugout when I get back. Maybe she’s still at Barry’s working.
Making sure I grabbed everything out of the borrowed locker, I take my duffle bag and head to our team bus.
Zac and Dex are already sitting and waiting to go. “Have you talked to Callie?” I ask Dex, worrying my bottom lip.
His brows pull down tightly. “No, I’ve been calling, but she’s not answering.”
“Neither is Cydney.” My eyes shoot to Zac. “What about Cayden?”
“I haven’t tried calling her.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket, finds her name in his contacts, and calls. His eyes move between Dex and me, then he hangs up. “She’s not answering, either.”
I tap my foot on the floor of the bus, anxiety thundering through my body. My eyes lock with Dex’s; he’s looking no better than I am. We take turns calling the sisters and each time it goes to voicemail my heart sinks further into my stomach. I know something is wrong.
An hour into our trip home, Dex’s phone rings. “It’s Callie.” He answers quickly. “Where the fuck...” He stops midsentence and his face loses color. “Try and calm down, babe. We’re about an hour away. We’ll come straight there. I love you.” He hangs up the phone. “Cydney was hurt at the garage.”
“What?” A lump forms in my throat, restricting my air supply. A growl rips from deep in my chest. “What happened?”
“Callie didn’t say. They’re at the hospital.”
My head snaps in the direction of the bus driver. “Get this fucking bus moving!” I roar.
He looks at me through the mirror, but stays quiet. I watch the speedometer and the speed slowly increases. My head is swimming with thoughts of what could have happened and how bad she’s hurt. I silently pray that she will be okay as tears well in my eyes, threatening to spill over.
The bus comes to a screeching halt in the University parking lot. Dex, Zac, and I are at the door in an instant and when the driver opens it, we take off at full speed. I race to my car, Zac following close behind, and Dex runs to his truck. We jump in, throwing our bags in the backseat. My shaking hand tries a couple times to get the key in the ignition, but when I do, Skye starts up. I rev the engine, taking off like a bat outta hell. Dex follows close behind as we weave through traffic, not caring if a cop tries to pull us over. They can give us a ticket at the hospital.
Within ten minutes, we whip into the emergency room parking lot. I don’t bother shutting off my car; I push my door open and rush inside. Callie and Cayden are waiting for us, so I know Dex must have called Callie. Tear streaks line their cheeks.
“What happened?” I ask, running my hand through my hair as Dex takes Callie in his arms and Zac does the same with Cayden.
Callie gets the story out through heaving sobs. “She was supposed to be home and she didn’t call. You know we always call if we’re running late.” I know they do this because of what happened to Callie. “She wasn’t answering when we tried to call her, so we went to Barry’s and Cayden found her lying there unconscious. She’s beaten up pretty bad and the doctor said her leg is broke. They have her in a room to stay overnight because she was hit in the head. She has to stay for observation.” A sob rips through both sisters and the guys hold them tighter.
What I wouldn’t give to be holding my girl right now.
Taking a deep breath, my heart sinks the rest of the way down, and a lump forms in my throat. “Can we see her?”
“Yeah. Follow me.”
We trail behind Dex and Callie to the elevator. We get on, and Callie pushes the button for floor number three. None of us say a word on the way up, and I space out for a moment until the ding brings me back and the door opens. Callie leads us down the long hallway past a nurse’s station and to room 315. We quietly walk into the room and tears spring forth, but I try to fight them back. I have to be strong.
My breath hitches when I get a good look at Cydney. She’s sleeping peacefully—probably because of the pain medication they must have given her for the broken bone—but her leg is propped up on pillows and in a cast, her head is wrapped in gauze, and her face is swollen. Her eyes are turning black and purple, her nose has a butterfly bandage across the bridge, her lips are cracked with some blood still wetting them, and bruising on her cheeks is starting to form.
“Do they know how it happened?” I ask quietly, not wanting to disturb Cydney.
“There was a tire iron laying next to her, so they believe she was attacked,” Cayden replies.
Who the fuck would want to do something like this?
Everyone stands around the bed, staring down at her while she sleeps soundly. I grab a chair that’s sitting against the wall and move it next to her bed, sitting down and taking her hand in mine. Rubbing my thumb over her hand back and forth, I look at the others. “You guys can go if you want; I’m staying. I’m not leaving her. Where’s Raine?” Too worried about Cydney, I just realized she isn’t here.
“We called Momma as soon as we found Cydney. She met us here and took Raine home, but when we leave Momma’ll be back to stay with you.”
I nod, turn my attention back to Cydney, and stay quiet.
Everyone left a few minutes ago, so I take the time to gather my thoughts while gently rubbing small circles in the palm of her hand.
“I’ve only been scared one time in my life, Cydney. I was ten at the time and had to have surgery. It was just to take my tonsils out, but for a little kid surgery is a scary thing, y’know? So, anyway, what scared me the most was being put under. I didn’t think I was going to wake up and it took four nurses to hold me down to get that IV in my hand. My nanny rubbed my hand just like this and it calmed me down. She told me everything would be just fine, and I would see her as soon as I woke up. But you know what, Cyd? When I found out you was hurt, I was more scared on the bus home than when I was ten. I have never felt fear like I did when Dex told me you were hurt.” I blow out a deep breath of air. “Game over, Cydney. It’s no longer fun and games; this shit is real for me, and I know it is for you too. I love you, Cydney Fisher! I love all of your craziness, sassiness, stubbornness, but most of all, I love your heart.”
The door slowly opens, and I turn my head to see Cynthia quietly closing the door back up then walking into the room.
“Hey,” I greet with a small smile.
“Hi, Maverick.” She takes the other chair that sits along the wall, brings it next to mine, and sits down. Her eyes are puffy from crying; lifting my arm, I lay it across her shoulders and bring her closer for a side hug. “Who would want to hurt her this badly?”
“I don’t know, Cynthia,” I somberly reply. “I’m not going to let her out of my sight from now on, though.”
“Maverick, you have classes and baseball,” she scolds, as if I was one of her own children.
“I’ll work it out,” I state, staring at the girl who has stolen my heart.
“You love her, don’t you?”
I wasn’t sure whether she heard me before or not, but I guess this means no. “More than anything.” My lips tilt up in a smile.
“She’s stubborn and you can’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to do.” Her tone is warning, but I already know.
“Did she ever tell you I call her Firecracker?”
“No.” Cynthia chuckles. “It fits.”
“I call her that because she has a short fuse; she goes off with a bang full of sass, but my God…when you see all her true colors, she is so fucking beautiful.”
“You really are a good man, Maverick Taylor.” Her hand pats my thigh. “I’m so happy my daughters have found men who love them unconditionally. I never wanted for them what I went through; I never wanted them to find men like their father. I wanted better for them, and they have it. Well, except Zac and Cayden, but I have faith they will get their shit together eventually.” We both laugh.
“I would consider myself lucky to have a mother like you, Cynthia.”
“Better start calling me Momma, then.” Our smiles mimic one another’s.
We talk a while longer and I let her in on the plan I have in mind. I make a trip to the cafeteria to get coffee and food for the both of us and then I return to Cydney’s room. We stay with her for the rest of the night, neither of us getting much sleep.
Early the next morning, Cydney finally wakes up.
“I am not moving in with you!” Cydney crosses her arms over her chest; her eyes turn to slits.
“Yes. You. Are.” I hold firm, matching her look.
“You can’t just order people around and assume they’ll just do what you want,” she chides.
“In this case, you’re the only one I’m ordering. I asked Zac and he has no problem staying with Cayden while you heal. I’m not letting you out of my fucking sight.” It’s true; when I texted him earlier, he already knew what was coming so he’s been moving the stuff he’ll need in the meantime all morning. Cayden was all for it, since she’s trying to break my best friend.
“Do I have a choice?” She huffs.
“Nope. You’ve been making choices for too long. I’m running this show now.” I stare her down.
“Fine, ya’ brute!” she relents; my lips twitch as I fight my smile.
I stand up out of the chair I barely slept in last night. “I’m glad you see it my way.” I kiss her forehead lightly.
“Don’t get used to it.” She pouts, but a smile starts to appear, and I know her attitude is gone.
“I won’t.” I smile and give her a chaste kiss on her cracked lips. Even with all of the bruising, swelling, and busted lips, she is still beautiful.
Her room door opens and the nurse walks in. “Hi! Ms. Fisher, I have your discharge papers for you to sign once I take out your IV here in a minute, then you’re free to go, but I need to grab a wheelchair to wheel you out.” The nurse gives Cydney a kind smile.
“A wheelchair won’t be necessary” I pipe in.
“Shut up, Mav! Let her do her job,” Cydney scolds.
“I can’t let her walk out—it’s hospital policy.” The nurse frowns at me.
“I’ll carry her.” I shrug.
“Gah, ignore him!” she tells the nurse as the IV needle gets removed and a cotton ball and tape goes over the hole to stop the bleeding. “He’s being a brute today.” The nurse chuckles. Cydney looks around her. “I’m waiting for a wheelchair, and I’ll be sleeping in Dex’s old room if you don’t stop.” She gives me a snarky grin.
“The fuck you will!” Groaning, I walk to the door and open it. “I’m pulling the car around.”
Cydney mumbles something I can’t make out, then I hear both women laughing.
I compromise, letting the nurse wheel her out and get Cydney in the passenger seat of my car, but when we pull into the parking lot of my apartment building she compromises and lets me carry her inside. I get her settled on the couch, then go back out and grab her crutches.
I order her favorite takeout, Chinese, and have it delivered, then turn on Netflix. We’ve been sitting here all afternoon and evening, binge-watching Supernatural.
“I have a confession to make.” My head snaps in her direction; her eyes are glued to the show. “I wasn’t asleep last night.” Her head turns; her eyes meet mine.
“What?” My brows furrow.
“I heard you. Everything you said to me and to Momma. Did you mean it?” she asks, biting her bottom lip.
Staring into her eyes, I show how serious I am. “Every word.”
“I love you too, Mav. I have for a while now.” Tears pool in her eyes. “I was scared before, but getting attacked terrified me; all I thought was, Is this person going to kill me? Lying in my hospital bed, listening to you put your heart out there, I realized I don’t need to fear love—and I don’t want to go my whole life without experiencing it. I’m tired of denying what we have.”
“You love me?” I question with a smile spanning ear-to-ear.
“I do.” She smiles back, nods, and wipes a fallen tear from her cheek.
Leaning over her, I make sure not to hit her leg. “I love you too. You’re mine, Cyd; you have been for a long fucking time, and it’ll never change.” I lightly touch my lips to hers and slip my tongue inside her mouth gently.
Before shit goes too far, I rear back, leaving her breathless. Her eyes slowly flutter open. “Fuck, I can’t wait until you’re healed up. We need to just sit back and watch this show.” I plop back down on my side of the couch.
“I’m not broke, Mav.” Cydney pouts.
I run my hand down her hair, playing with a few strands. “No, but you’re not 100 percent, either. I’m not taking the chance of hurting you.”
She huffs, says no more, and turns her attention back to the show.
Thirty minutes after her pain pill, she falls asleep on the couch. Turning the sound down on the flat screen, I put one arm gently under her thighs and the other under her back before I lift her up, then carry her to my room.
I turn the covers down on the bed, lie her down and remove her shorts, and then I strip down to my boxers and climb in next to her. Pulling her closer to me, I hold her tight with a smile on my face, and realize I’m happier than I have ever been. This weird feeling of completion settles within me and my heart feels full. I’ve never felt anything like it and it’s an awesome feeling to have.
Cydney and I are sitting on the couch watching TV when the front door opens. “Hey!” Zac announces his arrival. He’s carrying a case of beer, followed by Cayden holding three boxes of pizza. Dex and Callie are close behind.
“What’s going on?” Cydney asks with her brows pulled down tight. She scoots up the couch to make more room.
“I know you’ve been getting antsy not being able to do shit—and a little depressed because of it. So, I planned for us all to hang out. I thought it might cheer you up some.” She was only released from the hospital a couple of days ago, but Cydney is not the type to just lie around not doing anything. This is driving her crazy, and the restriction of being able to come and go is frustrating to her.
“Thank you!” She gives me that beautiful smile of hers.
“You’re welcome.” I smile back and rub my hand up and down her thigh.
Cayden puts the pizza boxes on the coffee table next to where Zac set the beer, then everyone takes turns hugging Cydney.
“Since we are all here to make Cydney have some fun, I think we should play her favorite game,” Cayden says while grabbing a piece of pizza.
“What’s the game?” Dex questions as the rest of us grab our own slices and a bottle of beer.
I get up from the couch, walk into the kitchen, and grab Cydney a Pepsi out of the fridge since she can’t drink while taking the pain medication.
All eyes are on me when I sit back down, open the can, then hand it to her. “What?” My eyes travel around the room.
“Nothing,” they all reply with smirks.
“So, what’s the game?” I ask.
“Truth or dare,” Callie responds with a mischievous smile. “Cydney, you go first.”
“Alright.” Cydney chuckles. “Zac, truth or dare?”
“Truth.” He’s quick to answer.
“Hmm. Has anything happened between you and Cayden since you moved in?” Cydney grins and takes a bite.
He gets a strange look in his eyes, but it’s gone a second later. “No. Maverick, truth or dare?” I see the evil playing in his eyes.
I’m fucked either way. “Truth.”
“Have you told anyone about getting a helicopter?” He busts out laughing.
“A helicopter?” the girls question, while Dex looks clueless.
“You’re an asshole! No, I didn’t tell anyone!” I shake my head.
“Are we talking a real helicopter?” Cydney’s brows bunch.
“No,” Zac responds between fits of laughter. “The same day you kneed him in the nuts, this chick was supposed to give him a blowjob, but she started trying to do the helicopter with his dick and she gave him a sprain.”
“You’re lying!” Cayden gasps, mouth gaping open.
“No, I swear! I took him to the E.R. and he had to elevate his dick with pillows for a week.” Now everyone is laughing their asses off except for me.
“My turn,” I yell over everyone. “Zac, truth or dare?” My squinted eyes narrow in on my best friend.
“What the hell, dare,” he responds, still laughing his ass off.
“I dare you to give Cayden a lap dance.”
His laughter dies. “Dude!” He stares at me, swallowing a long pull of his beer.
“Payback’s a bitch,” I respond with an evil smile.
Grabbing my phone, I pick a song and he climbs over her from where they were sitting on the floor. His hips start moving slowly to the beat and he lowers himself so he’s face-to-face with her. His hands grip her shoulders and he pushes her back to lie on the floor. His body hovers over hers, and one of his legs goes between hers as he rocks his body just like he would if he was fucking her.
His head lowers down her body until he’s between her thighs, where he looks up to see if she is watching him. Of course, she is, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she pants through parted lips. He bites the inside of her thigh, then grabs her hand, sits her up, and acts like nothing happened.
Cayden’s cheeks are flushed and she’s staring at him like he’s grown an extra head. He’s turned her into a horny mess while he’s acting like he’s not affected, but his eyes tell a different story, and if she could read him like us, she would see just how much he really wants her.
“My turn.” He starts to eat another piece of pizza. “Cydney, truth or dare?”
“Dare,” she replies confidently.
“Well, since you can’t do anything crazy, I dare you to tell us what is going on with you two exactly.” Zac motions between me and Cydney with the neck of his beer bottle.
“We’ve come to an understanding.” She deadpans.
“And?” Callie questions.
“And…” Cydney draws it out. “We understand that the sex is amazing, we love each other, and it would just be better if we were together.” Cydney chuckles at her own explanation, and it makes me smile.
Everyone erupts, “It’s about fucking time!” We all laugh. I take her hand in mine and kiss her palm.
“Cayden, truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“I dare you to take two packets of these hot peppers, pour them in your mouth, and hold it for thirty seconds.”
“Cyd! You know I can’t stand eating hot shit!” Cayden whines, but grabs the packets and does the dare. By the end of the thirty seconds, her face is bright red, eyes are watering, and her nose is running. She spits the peppers out into the trash, then gets a glass of milk to relieve the burn.
“Dex?” Cayden asks when she sits back down, still opening and closing her mouth like a fish.
“Truth.”
“Do you ever wish that you would have met Callie after saving her that night on Fourth of July?”
“Yes.” There’s no need for further explanation. We all know he does, but if he did, then maybe we wouldn’t all be sitting here now. Everything happens for a reason, and these girls were brought into our lives for a reason—and I’m grateful for it. “Maverick?”
“Dare.”
“I dare you to strip down and run around the block naked saying, ‘Mr. Spectacular.’” Dex coughs, trying to hide his laughter.
“Why Mr. Spectacular?” Cayden asks, confused.
“Because that’s the name of his dick,” Zac pipes in. And the room bursts into a fit of laughter at my expense once again.
“You named your dick Mr. Spectacular?” Cydney questions, then covers her mouth with her hand and laughs so hard tears leak out of her eyes.
“You’ve never complained! Fuck all y’all!” I stand around all the hyenas, take my shirt and shoes off, and drop my basketball shorts and boxer briefs. All the laughter dies. I look up around the room: Dex and Zac are glaring while covering Callie and Cayden’s eyes, and Cydney is licking her lips and staring like I’m a juicy steak she’s ready to pounce on and eat. Laughter erupts from me as I jog out the front door.
The cool night air hits my naked body as I run around the block. Passing by the college, I hear whistles, catcalls, and hollering. I keep my eyes forward and a smile on my face.
I make it back to the apartment, get my clothes back on, and we spend the rest of the night laughing, talking, and drinking until Cydney falls asleep. I show everyone out, carry her to bed, and, just like the last couple nights, pull her back against my chest and sleep peacefully next to her. I’m not sure I’m going to want her moving back in with Cayden after she heals.