“Yeah, some bullshit about helping her to remember she’s still alive. Said she kept freaking out, and he didn’t know what else to do. What a dumbass.”
“That’s . . . well, I’m not really shocked. It is Coop.” What can I say, we all know he’s an asshole when it comes to chicks, but I really hoped he could keep it in his pants until we got back home. Chelcie doesn’t deserve the hit it and quit it approach that he takes, regardless of why she slept with him.
“Talked to Axel this morning. He’s having one hell of a time keeping Izzy in Georgia.” His condescending tone has my head snapping in his direction.
“And you sound so pissed about that because?” I don’t think anyone else has noticed how far apart she and Dee have become recently, but if anyone has noticed, it would be him. I swear this man sees everything.
“Right, don’t play me for a fool. I’ve seen Dee since that motherfucker got ahold of her and Izzy. I’ve seen her struggling, and you picking her back up. I saw her breaking in two, and it wasn’t anyone but you gluing those pieces back together. Not once did her best friends even see one damn thing. Not Izzy, not Greg, not one of them. So yeah, I’m a little pissed about it.” His eyes stay on her battered face for a few more beats before meeting mine. “Everyone else kept giving you two shit, thinking you were playing some stupid fucking game, but if they would’ve opened their eyes for one second longer, they would’ve seen her hiding in plain sight with you fighting all her demons for her.”
I don’t keep eye contact with him. Hearing Dee’s and my private struggle broken down into a few sentences brings it all home.
Two long fucking years.
Two long years of me worrying that she might never come back from the place inside herself when she had become lost.
And now, right when I felt like she’s finally healing this happens, and I honestly don’t what kind of lasting effect this is going to have on her. I can only hope that she’s become strong enough to realize that she has all the power in the world to become whole again and a man who’s willing to fight tooth and nail to help get her there.
“How long have you known?”
I feel Dee’s hand tighten on mine, silently letting me know that she’s listening, too.
“Since you carried her out of Heavy’s.”
My eyes shoot to Dee’s face. Even with her eyes still closed as if she’s sleeping peacefully, a lone tear sneaks out and slides down her face, telling me that she knows just how much Maddox has seen.
“You never said anything, not once. I don’t understand why you would be pissed if you watched it right along with them.” I keep my tone light, but inside, knowing that I am apparently as transparent to Maddox as it gets, and he still kept his mouth shut is a little hard to stomach.
“Wasn’t my place. And before you get pissed, I didn’t just sit back and ignore it. I watched, and if I thought for one second that you didn’t have it handled, I would’ve stepped in. Not going to lie. There was a time, when you both were attempting to make each other jealous, or pissed enough to stop trying, that I almost said something. Wouldn’t have done me a bit of good, though. She doesn’t need me sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. It’s always been you. Not everyone would have the patience to stick around when that end result is a big unknown.”
Dee’s hand clenches in mine so tightly that it’s starting to hurt, even though her face still remains relaxed. I don’t even know where to begin to respond to all that. I can’t be pissed, because he’s right. I had it under control, but it would’ve been nice to know I wasn’t fighting alone.
“Patience wasn’t even a factor. When you love someone, you fight. You fight for them, and you fight with them. She needed me to fight for her then, and I’ll continue to do that until she can fight for herself again.” I feel him come up behind me and clasp my shoulder in his strong grip, offering me his strength.
“That right there is why I didn’t need to say anything.” He walks to the other side of the bed, dips his head down to her ear, and talks low enough that I can’t hear him. Her eyes snap open, and she looks right at me. Maddox leans up, kisses her on the forehead, and walks out the door.
“What did he just say?” I whisper, not breaking eye contact.
“He . . . he said it’s time for me and you to start fighting the same war and not different battles.”
I nod my head. He’s right. It’s always been Dee fighting me, fighting herself, and running from her fears. And I’ve been fighting the world for her while she does it.
It’s time. Time for her to let me in and let me help her heal.
Easier said than done with Dee, but when I look into her eyes, it isn’t the same force field barrier that she normally has in place that I see. No, I see right into her soul, and the love she keeps carefully hidden, for once, isn’t masked. That right there is all the hope I need.
CHAPTER 13
Dee