Chapter 33
SADIE
I wake up to the shrill sound of my phone ringing.
Katrina moans from her side of the room and begs me to answer it.
With my eyes still closed, I blindly search for it on my nightstand.
When I finally have it in my hand, I open one eye and see it’s my father calling.
A week ago, that’d be an automatic send to voice mail, but today, I press the green button.
“Dad. Why are you calling me so bloody early?”
“Sorry, hon. It’s about Danny.”
As if a jolt of electricity went through my body, I sit up on high alert.
“What happened to him?” I ask, ignoring the fact that Dad knew to call me about Danny.
“He met someone he wasn’t ready to this morning, and he didn’t react well.”
My stomach clenches painfully as an awful suspicion crawls into my brain. I don’t voice it out loud though. I can’t assume he knows about Danny’s drama with his father. I won’t betray his trust.
“Where is he now?”
“I don’t know. He bailed before I could stop him. His car is still parked in front of the building. Wherever he went, he’s on foot.”
I jump out of bed and search for a pair of pants. “I’m coming over. Have you tried calling Andy?”
“Yes, he’s also looking for him. I figured I’d try you as well since you and Danny have gotten so… close.”
“He’s my boyfriend, Dad.”
Maybe the confession is ill timed, but he obviously suspected it already. Might as well let him know it’s not a fling.
“We can talk about that later. Let me know when you have news.”
“Sure. I’ll keep you posted.”
“What’s going on?” Katrina asks in a drowsy tone.
“Nothing. Go back to sleep.”
“Did something happen to Danny?”
Like I’d say anything so she can run her mouth and tell her sorority sisters about it. Fat chance of that. I walk out without bothering to reply.
In the hallway, there’s a flutter of activity already.
I may have been asleep, but the campus is wide awake.
It’s already past eight in the morning, and not everyone didn’t have class early like me.
I pull my cell phone out and call Danny, but it rings until it goes to voice mail.
Either he doesn’t have his phone on him or he’s ignoring my calls too.
When I walk outside the building, I see Andy pulling in. Shite. If he’s here, then he doesn’t have a bloody clue about where Danny could be.
“Any word from him?” we both ask at the same time.
Andy curses. “No. I’ve looked everywhere I could think of.”
“Dad said he left on foot. How far could he have gone?”
“If he was running, pretty far. I hate to do this, but we need to call for reinforcements,” he says with his phone already in his hand.
“Who?”
“Puck and Paris for now. I wouldn’t dare ask anyone else and risk gossip. Jane is out looking for him too. We’ll split up to cover more ground.”
“Good plan. Call me if you hear anything,” I tell him as I head to my car.
“You do the same.”
With my heart stuck in my throat, I get behind the steering wheel.
I don’t leave the car park right away; instead, I try to put myself in Danny’s shoes.
Where would I go if I wanted to disappear for a few hours?
In the end, I drive to the place where he was last seen, the Rebels’ headquarters.
I spot Danny’s car parked in front of the building.
I get out, but instead of going in, I walk over to the wired fence that surrounds the training field.
On the other side is the tree line and, hidden by the small forest, the Red Barn.
The entrance to the field is unlocked. No one is practicing outside now, which works for me. I run, covering its length in record time, barely breaking a sweat by the time I reach the other end. I slow down once I get to the forest track. The ground is uneven, and I can’t risk spraining an ankle.
My heart is thudding loudly inside my chest as I approach the Red Barn.
It looks sad and forlorn in the silence of morning.
The door’s unlocked, and when I push it open, the hinges creak loudly.
I stop by the threshold and scan the open room.
It’s dim inside, but I can still see Danny sitting on the floor at the far end of the room, hugging his legs.
His head is down, hanging between his shoulders.
“How did you find me?” he asks without lifting his gaze to mine.
“A hunch.”
I walk over at a normal pace, which is hard when all I want to do is rush to him and pull him into my arms. When I’m near, I simply drop next to him and wait.
“Who told you?”
“Dad.”
He glances up then. “Coach Clarkson called you? Why?”
“He knew we were close, and now, well, he knows we’re together. I told him. I’m sorry.”
His eyebrows furrow. “Why are you apologizing?”
“Because maybe you wanted to tell him yourself. He’s your coach, after all.”
“That was my plan when I went to see him this morning, but then….” He looks away.
“Your father was there.” I finish the sentence for him.
“Yes. The son of a bitch wanted Coach’s help.”
“I’m so sorry, Danny.”
“Did Coach tell you who he is?”
“He didn’t say anything, only that you met someone you weren’t keen to.”
“My father is Josh Fitzpatrick.”
The name sounds familiar, but it takes me a second to associate it with the person.
When I do, I’m assaulted by a wave of anger.
I’m mad at the man for not wanting to have Danny in his life until now, but I’m also angry at his mother for never telling him who his father was.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out Danny’s life was filled with hardships. He could have grown up like a king.
“Why didn’t your mother ever tell you about him?” I ask.
“I don’t know. Maybe because he wanted her to have an abortion. He wasn’t a famous player when they were together.”
Unable to keep my distance any longer, I place my hand on his arm. “Oh, Danny.”
“Don’t feel sorry for me.”
His eyes are hard as they gaze into mine.
“I’m not sorry for you. I’m angry on your behalf. I want to punch your piece-of-shite father in the throat. I want to make you stop hurting so much.”
He reaches over, cupping my cheek. “You being here is already helping me.”
His fingers slide to the back of my head, tangling with a handful of my hair.
He nudges me forward, leaning in to meet me in the middle.
When he kisses me, it’s soft and tender.
It’s a brush of lips that spells heartache.
I let him set the pace, even though my entire body is yearning for more.
I want to show him in any way I can how much he means to me. How much I love him.
He breaks the kiss before it deepens, then leans his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry I got everyone worried. That wasn’t my intention.”
“I know it wasn’t. You wanted to be alone, to process what happened on your own terms without anyone interfering. And I ruined it for you.”
“You didn’t ruin anything, Sadie. I’m glad you were the one who found me.”
I trace his full lips with the tips of my fingers, then his jaw. “You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever met. It’s almost unfair.”
He chuckles. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?”
Shaking my head, I say, “I’m not only talking about the exterior.
” I flatten my palm against his chest, feeling how fast it’s beating.
“Your beauty comes from within. Your face and body might have made it difficult to keep things platonic in the beginning, but it was your heart that won me over. I love you, Danny Hudson.”
His beautiful blue eyes stay glued to mine, almost as if he’s searching for the truth. Does he find it hard to believe I could love him?
His lips slowly curl into a grin as he reaches for my face again. “I’m going to kiss you now, Sadie. Properly .”
When he says properly, he truly means business.
I don’t have time to be a little upset that he didn’t say he loves me back because his possessive mouth has already made it impossible for me to think straight.
The small distance between our bodies vanishes.
We’re both twisted in a way that brings our chests together, but soon I move to straddle him instead.
I just need to be as close to him as possible.
Danny moves his feverish kisses to my neck, leaving goose bumps on my skin as his tongue brands me.
I throw my head back, letting out a contended sigh.
My fingers are in his hair, twisting and pulling as a manner to ground me somehow.
It’s impossible though. The warm feeling in my chest has turned me as light as a feather, and now I’m soaring high.
“Danny?”
“Hmm?” he hums in my ear.
“I’m done taking things slowly.”
He leans back and looks into my eyes. “Are you sure? We don’t need to put sex back on the table yet. I’m fine with waiting.”
“I’m not. I said that because….” I lower my gaze, insecure suddenly. “Because I was afraid. I should know better than anyone that life is short and it can end at a moment’s notice.”
Danny runs his hand down to where my scar is. “Are you talking about this?”
I nod. “I was out celebrating with my teammates in London one evening. My friend and I were followed once we left the pub. The arseholes wanted to harm her, so I jumped in front of a knife to protect her.”
His expression is one of wonder. He doesn’t say anything for a couple of beats before he captures my face between his hands. “You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met. I love you so much, Sadie. So damn much.”
I didn’t tell the story behind my scar to get a love declaration from him, but damn if I’m not basking in it just the same. In an instant, we’re kissing again, and then our clothes become superfluous. I don’t care that we’re in a public space. I just want to be with Danny again.
I pull my T-shirt off, making him freeze for a second.
“What?”
“You’re not wearing a bra.”
I glance down and then back at him. “I slept in this. When my father called me, I only worried about putting pants and shoes on.”
“I really don’t want to talk about Coach right now.”
He shuts off my reply with his mouth while his hands find my tits. With expert fingers, he teases my nipples, turning them hard in an instant. I straddle him again, even though my sweatpants and his shorts are still in the way. I need the friction to ease the throbbing between my legs.
“Sadie… this is… fuck. We can’t keep doing this or this party will be over before it starts.”
“Fine.”
I get off him and then jump to my feet.
“I didn’t mean for you to get away from me.”
“God. Blokes do live in hope and die in despair, don’t they? Relax. I just need room to do this.” I pull my sweatpants and knickers down my legs, then quickly step out of them.
Danny only freezes for half a second before he stands as well and gets rid of the rest of his clothes.
He barely has a chance to remove his boxers before I’m on him like a bum on a hot dog.
I run my nails across the expanse of his chest while I kiss the hollow of his throat.
He makes a sound that’s all male when my hand curls around his shaft.
His mouth is on my neck now, licking and kissing as I have my fun with him below.
“Sadie, did you bring protection?”
“No. I’m on the pill now.”
Unexpectedly, he lifts me and presses me against the wall.
I wrap my legs around his hips, bringing my core flush against his erection.
His lips slant over mine possessively, and with a precise thrust, he’s inside me.
I moan against his lips, not expecting the swift wave of pleasure that rolls down my spine.
We don’t talk, too busy savoring each other. Our kisses are fiery and urgent, and they match the tempo of Danny’s hips pumping in and out of me. This is the hottest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s no surprise when I can’t keep the climax at bay.
I bite his lower lip as I come hard, the feeling intensified by the increase of Danny’s pace. He grows harder inside me, and then his entire frame is shaking. He groans loudly as he empties himself in me. I hold on to him for dear life, digging my nails in his shoulders. He doesn’t seem to mind.
He keeps moving in and out even when his tremors subside. I lose track of time, but eventually we both still, and nothing can be heard save for our labored breathing.
Until the front door creaks again and a familiar voice says, “What the hell?”
Danny and I both turn into statues.
My father is here.