Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 130512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
29
MASON
Iwas tired. Like, tired to the bone.
The last week was wearing on me. Logan stayed with me while we got Zeke to the hospital, and he was right. He lied better than me. I never would’ve considered telling them that Zeke got that knife wound from a long-winded story that centered around golfing and trying to cut an avocado on hole nine, but the nurse barely blinked. Of course, once he said he was Zeke’s lawyer, everything became official. No one questioned why a lawyer would be at his client’s hospital bedside. The police station made sense. A hospital, not so much. But regardless, Logan had everyone running around at his command within seconds.
It was impressive.
A minute ago, the doctor let us know that Zeke had a minor reaction, but they were already pumping him full of antibiotics. He was going to be okay. He was passed out and would be for the rest of the night
At that point, we left. Logan fell in step beside me on the way out. “I need a ride.”
He’d driven Zeke’s truck here. “You left his keys with him?”
He nodded, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets. “Along with his phone and wallet.”
I didn’t remember that we’d grabbed his wallet and gave my brother the side-eye. He cared for the guy. Legit cared. Why hadn’t he mentioned that to me? A few people recognized me as we were leaving. We’d gotten attention from some of the nurses, and one of the doctors, but only one person recognized me from the NFL. But as we entered the waiting room to leave, some guys were there and scrambled. A couple of them approached for autographs.
It was then that I saw ESPN was on the television. The commentators were talking about the Orcas’s chances for the Lombardi and I saw my name scrolling across the bottom. We were still somewhat new into the season. It was my first year of being retired. My name and face would be up there for a while.
When we left, I checked Maddy’s phone tracker and saw she was still at the address Sam had given me. I sighed on the inside because what was this going to be? Another fight? Different sort of fight? I never truly knew.
Logan didn’t question me until I turned down a street that was not in our neighborhood. “What the—where are we going?” He became more alert.
I pulled up to the gate at the entrance to the subdivision, rolling my window down. I ignored Logan and when the gate guard asked for my code, I told him, “My daughter’s at one of the houses. I need to go in and get her.”
Logan cursed under his breath.
The guard didn’t seem inclined to let us through until he got a good look at my face. “Hey! You’re Mason Kade.” After that, his inner fan came out and this fan couldn’t be more helpful. We were not only allowed access, but he gave us directions and offered to escort us to the home.
I gave him a wave as we pulled through. “We’re good from here. Thank you. Appreciate it.”
“Is this new?” Logan asked. “Maddy’s just ignoring that she’s grounded?”
I grunted, that tired feeling spreading through me again. “Fuck if I know.”
I felt my brother studying me. “What are you going to do? You don’t seem too pissed right now.”
Coming to the next street, I made the turn and it was easy to locate the house, even without the address. It was situated at the end of a cul-de-sac, and it was twice the size of all the other houses. Two giant columns framed the front entrance, along with a circle drive currently littered with vehicles. All fancy cars too. Logan whistled under his breath. “Remember when Sam used to drive that old Corolla?”
I grunted, remembering it fondly as I parked. “Good times.”
He got out and strolled next to me. “Simple times.” We passed a Ferrari. “Jesus. No teenager should be driving a vehicle like that.”
“You wouldn’t have said that when you were a teenager.” But I didn’t disagree. “I think I’m too tired to be pissed right now. That’ll probably change once we get inside, depending on what kind of reception Maddy gives us.”
“I hear you.”
We got to the door, and I could hear the music inside. It was muted, but I expected it to blast us once this door opened.
Logan glanced my way. “What are you thinking?”
“What kind of trouble could I get in if we just walk in?”
Logan’s grin was wolfish. “Well, I mean, a reasonable argument could be made that we were concerned for the welfare of your daughter, who’s underage.” He reached out, barely tapping the door. His grin turned wicked. “Look at that. We knocked and no one answered.”
“So you’re saying there’s a good chance we won’t get in trouble.”