Chapter 21
Preston
“I think we should practice.”
I blinked at Wesley as he stood in front of the whiteboard, while Theo and Shaw sat in the two chairs across from his desk.
“What?”
My mind wasn’t absorbing whatever Wesley was cooking up. It was on the look that washed over Trinity’s face back in the hallway. I didn’t like it.
“We play the Scorpions next week. It’s crucial.”
I ran a hand over my hair, a relieved laugh warring to escape my chest. This is about that game.
“It’s Dodgeball. I didn’t think we actually needed to practice,” I offered, glancing at Theo and Shaw for backup.
The recreational dodgeball league we entered in two years ago had been a great way for us to blow off steam, and apparently, cling to our youth.
“As captain, I would think you’d have a little more discipline, Preston.” Wesley lifted a brow before hiking a thumb behind him to the board with a bracket drawn out. “The Scorpions are our biggest rival. We need to be prepared. I think we need a two-hour practice on Sunday.”
“For fuck’s sake, Wes,” Theo grumbled.
We played once a month. Don’t get me wrong, the Scorpions could get fucked, but I didn’t need to practice smashing Gregory Akin square in the junk. Although, as small as I’d heard it was, it might not hurt to do a little target practice.
“We could just practice hitting you.” Shaw grinned.
Wesley flipped him off without even looking at him. “And Atticus is up in the air. Julia might have some birthing class to go to, so we may be a man down.” He rolled his shoulders back. “After last year, I want revenge. That fucker almost tore my ACL.”
Shaw snorted, while Theo looked completely unfazed.
“You strained your hamstring,” I deadpanned.
“It fucking hurt,” he scoffed. “I had two children to take care of.”
“Which you should probably do since we fly out tomorrow,” I pointed out.
His shoulders relaxed. “You’re right. I hate leaving them.”
With a slap to his shoulder, I nodded at the room. “See you in the morning. Shaw, don’t be late.”
“Since when have I been late?” he asked as he pushed to his feet.
“This morning,” I called out as I left the room.
The conversation eased my worry over Trinity, but I still had this odd feeling in my chest that I couldn’t shake.
I had spent about another hour and a half in my office before I finally called it a day. It was dark by the time I made it home, and the shift in my mood told me it would be a long night. I always had trouble sleeping on game nights ever since college. My mind would never stop racing. Overthinking.
Slamming the door to my truck, I gripped my duffle I always carried and started toward the house.
The sound of heavy footsteps had me twisting to glance over my shoulder.
A flash of auburn hair sailed past my driveway.
I squinted to see Trinity stride up her sidewalk, slowing as she bent at the waist. I could hear her labored breathing from here, and when her knees buckled and she hit the pavement, I dropped my bag, bolting across the street.
I couldn’t tell if she was hyperventilating or crying, but her hands splayed across the concrete as she hung her head down toward the ground.
As soon as I made it to her, I crouched down in front of her.
“Trinity.” I reached out to tilt her chin up. “Look at me.”
Her watery eyes met mine, her chest heaving.
“Are you okay?”
Her eyes widened as she gasped for air. What the hell was happening?
“Breathe, Angel,” I instructed as I reached for her wrists, holding them up above her head to open her lungs.
She sucked in a breath before trying to regain control of the rhythm.
“Good. Just like that,” I coached as she took another deep breath.
A lone tear trailed down her cheek as she inhaled again and again, her breathing mellowing out.
My thumbs ran along her wrist, caressing the skin as she breathed through the panic.
My eyes caught on her arm, the watch blinking a number that had me jerking my gaze to hers. Nine miles. She ran nine fucking miles in this heat?
“What happened?” I asked as she lowered her arms.
More tears formed in her eyes before a sob ripped from her chest. Her arms were around my neck before I could react. My body crashed against hers as I pulled her close.
“Hey,” I soothed. It’s okay,” I murmured into her hair.
Glancing around, I shifted, pulling her up from the ground with me. I maneuvered my arm beneath her knees, turning her sideways as I carried her to her front door.
I didn’t give a shit about rules tonight. She needed me, and there wasn’t a chance in hell I was leaving her.