Chapter 8
Henry’s expression! She snorted out a laugh and immediately wished she hadn’t. Pain seared through her head, and she couldn’t help but wince. “Ow.”
“Head sore?” Henry asked, his horror wiping clean from his features.
“Yeah.” Maia didn’t know why, but victory flooded her.
A sense of winning a battle. He was in the same room.
She couldn’t say if it was willingly, but he wasn’t trying to slide out the door.
And he’d touched her. Her heart beat a little faster as she realized that.
This weird urge she experienced every time she saw him had a sexual component.
There was this attraction simmering between them.
Her gaze flew up to meet Henry’s, and he didn’t seem surprised.
He already knew, and this was what he’d been fighting.
Maia opened her mouth to demand answers but changed her mind. She needed to think about this and analyze the situation because it wasn’t like she had time for romance.
“Stop looking at me like that,” Henry said, his tone harsh.
His touch on her arm was gentle, though, contradicting his attitude. She knew without a doubt he’d never hurt her physically. However, emotionally, it was another matter. Yeah, this was a situation she needed to contemplate.
Maia forced herself to frown at him and thought she did a pretty good job of acting puzzled.
Henry grunted and jumped to his feet. “You should try to sleep.”
“I’ll feel better after a shower.”
“You’re as weak as that little white puppy,” Henry said. “The last thing you need is a fall. You might miss the entire rugby season if you knock your head again.”
That truth gave her pause. “A quick shower,” she said because she felt grubby. The blood, grass stains, and perspiration made her skin itch. “I’ll leave the door open and promise to call if I can no longer stand.”
“That is not giving me confidence.”
Maia thought for a moment. “What if I use a chair and sit in the shower? I have a plastic chair in the kitchen.”
“That at least sounds sensible. Stay there while I organize it.”
Maia held back her amusement until he left the room. She’d think she’d ruffled his feathers if she didn’t know better. The man was back in mere minutes, slinking like a soldier.
“Don’t think I didn’t see your triumphant smile. I’m only agreeing because you’re acting stubborn. The quicker you shower, the faster we’ll sleep.”
“I don’t have another bed.” The second the words left her mouth, she castigated herself. Way to go, Maia. Can you be any more obvious?
“Don’t worry about me. You’re the one who requires sleep.” He carried the chair into the bathroom and returned. “Everything is ready. A brief shower. Do you have fresh clothes?”
Maia gaped at him. “You’re not my father.”
“I’m your keeper,” he snapped. “I’ll be in the kitchen. Holler if you need me.” Henry stomped out of the bedroom, and she stared after him.
“Wow.” This man’s temper was all over the place.
“You’re not moving,” he called.
Maia lifted her right hand in a rude gesture before gingerly rising.
Good grief. Her legs trembled, and the low-level headache returned, making her wince.
Henry was right—not that she’d admit that to him, but once she was clean again and dressed in a T-shirt and sleep shorts, she’d feel better.
A warm shower would help her relax, and hopefully, she’d fall asleep.
She limped into the bathroom and limited her shower to five minutes.
Henry had been correct. Her legs would’ve given way.
As it was, her thigh ached where her assailant had struck her.
She had a team meeting tomorrow, and the last thing she wanted was any weakness for the coaches to seize upon and sideline her.
Yes, healing sleep and a reassessment tomorrow.
When she entered her bedroom, she found Henry had straightened her covers and left her a cup of herbal tea, two painkillers, and a glass of water. Henry was gone, but she sank onto the mattress and sipped her tea before picking up the tablets and downing them with a swallow of water.
Five minutes later, she closed her eyes. She woke again in daylight, and the night’s events came rushing back. Aware of a pressing need for the toilet, she swung her legs to the floor. To her immense relief, her thigh wasn’t too bad, and her headache had subsided.
Maia stumbled to the bathroom, alarmed when her balance didn’t seem right. After taking care of business, she returned to her bed and sank down.
“You’re awake.”
She glanced up to see Henry in the doorway.
“How are you feeling?”
“I thought I was fine, but my balance is off, and my head is throbbing.”
“Concussion. You’ll need to take it easy. No screen time or reading until your headaches retreat.”
“I’m supposed to report to my new club to pick up my uniform and training schedule. It will look bad if I don’t.” She bit her lip, aware panic was pushing her.
“I’m sure they’ll understand if you explain.”
“But I have to meet my teammates. I’m the newbie and can’t let them see any weaknesses.”
He shot her a funny look. “This isn’t war, Maia.”
“No, it’s a competitive game. I’ll start on the bench and must play myself onto the team. I can’t no-show.”
“You won’t be any use if you fall face-first in front of them either.”
Maia bit her lip because he was right. She needed to be smart, damn it. “I’ll get dressed. Do a little gentle walking and see how I go. We won’t train today, and there’s nothing strenuous. I might manage as long as I’m careful.”
“You can’t drive.” Henry met her gaze in a challenge.
Damn. He was right again. How could she manage this? Attendance was non-negotiable. Management—they’d want to see their investment.
“I’ll drive you. I’d like to check out your team.”
She gaped. “You can’t think they have anything to do with last night?”
“No, but I’m still interested in seeing them.”
“Why?”
“Never mind why. If you want to attend your meeting, the only way is with me.”
Their gazes locked in a silent battle, and despite the throb in her head and the sluggishness of her muscles, Maia had never felt more alive. Something about the grumpy, determined man got to her.
“You’ll stay in the background,” she said, but it was a question.
“I’ll drive you to Dunedin and wait. You can tell everyone your vehicle is with the mechanic for repairs. I’ll wait in my vehicle and look harmless.”
Maia barely prevented her snort of disbelief. This man would never fade into the background. He was too big, but she sensed this was the best deal she’d get. “Very well.”
“What time is your meeting?”
“I need to be there at 9:45. We have fifteen minutes to grab our uniforms, and the meeting starts at ten.”
Henry checked the time. “I’ll sort out breakfast.”
A vehicle sounded outside.
“That might be my furniture.”
“I’ll take care of your visitor. You get dressed.” He disappeared with silent stealth. Not a single floorboard creaked beneath his weight.
Maia stared after him before she gave her head a brisk shake. A mistake because the pounding in her skull increased. She gingerly touched the spot and found a lump. Henry was right. She should stay in bed, yet if she missed this meeting, she’d be at a disadvantage.
It took a few minutes before the worst of the aching subsided.
She decided another quick shower might wake her and was thankful to find the chair still sitting in the stall.
When she had the time and the money, she’d rip out this shower and put in something more modern.
This step into the shower was dangerous, especially if she was carrying an injury.
Half an hour later, Maia felt one hundred percent better, although she moved slower than usual. Voices came from the kitchen, and she discovered it was the cops she’d met the previous night. And to her delight, her furniture had arrived.
“We’re here to take your statement and see if we missed anything during our previous visits,” Laura said. “How are you feeling?”
“My head is pounding. I’m hoping there are painkillers left because it’s hard to think.”
“You should’ve stayed in bed,” Henry said with open disapproval.
“I’m not a child,” she snapped before taking a deep breath. “Sorry. You’re not meeting my best version.”
“Understandable. You haven’t had the greatest start in Middlemarch,” Charlie said, speaking for the first time.
“I don’t understand why. I’ve only met a few locals and made no friends when I lived with my aunt. Not that I tried.”
“Losing your parents traumatized you,” Henry said. “That was understandable.”
Maia didn’t reply, but she had been grieving. Her home life with her aunt had proved difficult. It wasn’t until she arrived at boarding school that she’d rebuilt her life and engaged with the outside world.
“Coffee?” Henry asked.
“Yes, please. My coffee machine and pods are in one of those boxes over there. Laura, Charlie, would you like coffee?”
“Yes, please. We’ll walk around your house and take more photos first. See if we’ve missed anything,” Laura said.
“The milk is in the fridge.” Maia took a seat at the small wooden table. She moved her laptop aside and stacked her notebooks to make room. “I’d like one of the purple pods with steamed milk, please.”
Henry sent her another enigmatic look before sauntering to the boxes to search for the coffee maker. It didn’t take him long to plug in her machine and load the capsules. He even proved a dab hand at steaming milk, which surprised Maia.
He set the perfect cup of coffee in front of her before starting on two more. When the coffee was ready, Laura and Charlie tromped inside, the bottom portion of their trousers damp from the morning dew.
Both removed their boots before entering.
Henry handed over their coffee. “How is the puppy?”
“Gavin said she’s a fighter, and he’s certain she’ll pull through. She’s a cute pup,” Charlie said.
“Yeah,” Henry said. “Did you find anything?”
“Two more mint wrappers. We missed the graffiti on the side of your car last night,” Laura said.
“Really?” Maia straightened, the coffee sloshing over the brim of her cup. She wiped up the puddle with her sleeve before it reached her laptop. “Will it wash off?”
“You’ll need a new paint job. Are you insured?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, but that’s not the point,” she said, anger coating her words. “What have I done to cause this harassment?”
“We won’t know until we catch the culprit. It could be any number of reasons.” Laura sent her a sympathetic smile. “This is more than a nuisance crime. The viciousness of the attack worries me. Maia, is there anyone in Auckland who might’ve followed you here?”
“My ex-boyfriend. We didn’t part on cordial terms, but I called a friend. My ex was in Auckland last night.”
“He might’ve organized someone to do this,” Henry said.
There was something in his expression that gave her pause.
Henry looked as if he wanted to take on the world on her behalf, and no one had ever done that for her.
It had been her on her own, struggling for everything she wanted.
A warm sizzle started in her chest, and she didn’t take the time to identify the emotion.
She merely held it close and treasured the unfamiliar reaction.
“Will you help me arrange alarms?” she asked.
“Already done. Gerard will be here soon with the supplies we need. We’ll set up cameras, and if this person returns, get them on video. We’ll organize your furniture for you too.”
Maia wanted to protest, but she’d already decided to organize greater security measures. Henry had merely preempted her request. “Thank you.”
He gave a clipped nod in response. “No problem. Are you ready to leave?”
“As soon as I change my jacket,” she said, staring ruefully at the coffee stain. Her new washing machine hadn’t arrived yet, and she had limited clothes. “Laura, do you have everything you need?”
“Yes. I’ll check with the owners of local businesses and ask if anyone spotted strangers lurking where they shouldn’t. You didn’t spot anyone following you yesterday?”
“No.” Maia managed not to shake her head. “Why would I? It’s not as if I expected anything like this.”
“We’ll watch now,” Henry said. “We’re off to Dunedin so Maia can attend a team meeting. If anyone follows us this time, we’ll notice.”