Page 87 of Mistletoe Misses
“Who’s Adrian?”
“His friend and former partner at work. He was shot early this morning and in surgery when his captain called. Maddox wanted to be there when he woke up.”
“How terrible. Did he go alone?”
“That’s what he’s used to doing. So stubborn.”
“I hate that.” His friend is fighting for his life, and Maddox has no one to turn to for support. He’s probably worried and hurting, both for Adrian and because he thinks he’s losing Sadie and me. “Do you have his address?”
“You’re going to Boston?”
“I have to. I’m not letting him go through this alone, thinking I’m leaving him again.”
“Alright. I’ll text you the address. Why don’t you bring us Sadie? She can play with the twins and ride with them to school in the morning.”
“Thank you, Marilyn. Do you know if he has Trixie?” If so, at least he’d have her for company.
“No. Dottie returned today.”
“Dang. He was attached to her.” Yet another loss for him to absorb. “Sadie and I will be over soon. Thank you.”
Before packing a bag for us both, I send a text to Maddox.
Me:See you soon. I love you.
Chapter 20
Maddox
It’s after midnight by the time my exhausted body begins the three-block trek from the parking garage to my apartment building in the snow. One block down and icicles have already formed on the tips of my collar and hood.
As if enduring the unexpected drive to Boston and five grueling hours at Adrian’s bedside at the hospital wasn’t enough, I’ve been honked at, screamed at, and flipped off for God knows what. Even the smell of hotdogs didn’t soothe the familiar ache that curled around my ribcage the second I left Ember Falls. No one called me by name when I entered a building, and I haven’t been forced into a hug or kissed once.
Being another body taking up space here used to be my favorite thing about this city. How depressed had I been to find false solace in that? I’ve been back for less than a day, and my world has resumed its usual blank and meaningless status—a grayscale version of the man I want to be. The one I found in Ember Falls.
I never thought I’d say this, but I miss home. Not this dreary place and my boring apartment. The home I found over the last few weeks in the town I once loved as much as baseball. Imiss my family, the crazy people in town who treat me like one of their own, Trixie, Sadie, and Carmen. I miss short walks to restaurants and long get-togethers with friends. I miss the fresh air, mountain views, and goodness that lives and breathes in every corner there. I didn’t realize how much all that changed me until I left it.
Every step I climb to the front door of my apartment building takes the same effort as four. Doesn’t help that I’ve ignored my hollow stomach since lunch yesterday. The stress I’ve been under for the past twenty-four hours has replaced any hunger pangs I might have had with nausea and drained me of all energy reserves.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, reminding me I’ve also ignored it all day. In a hurry to get to Adrian’s hospital room, I accidentally left it in my truck, the single digit-temperatures emptying the battery in my absence. I had to charge it on my way home just to get it to turn on.
When the phone started working again, several missed calls and text messages appeared, but I’ll have to check them after I get inside and thaw out. My frozen fingers couldn’t push the tiny buttons right now anyway.
Foregoing more stairs, I use the elevator for the first time since I moved into the fifth-floor apartment. I’m concentrating on my popsicle fingers in their search for the right key on my keychain and don’t see the person huddled on the floor in the hallway until I trip over them.
“Maddox,” the groggy female voice says before she gets to her feet. She sounds aggravated that I woke her up with my big foot, but in my defense, I never expected someone to be sleeping outside my door.
Wait. How does she know my name?
She removes her hood, and long, golden waves tumble out and settle outside red, swollen eyes.
“Carmen? What’s wrong?”
I step closer as she leaps at me, throwing her legs around my waist. After the day I’ve had, I need this and allow myself to soak in the feel of her warm, unwavering embrace until we’ve both had our fill.
Securing herself there, she leans back to see my face.
“Are you okay?” I ask, detaching a strand of hair caught on her wet eyelashes.
