40. Lennox
Chapter 40
Lennox
After three long days, Dane and Javy were scheduled to be released from the hospital. I was relieved as hell they kept him to make an extra day.
Even though he hadn’t suffered any major life-threatening injuries, he was still extremely sore. The first night I’d kept my eyes on him when he slept, terrified something unexpected might happen that would take him away from me.
Fear did that to a person. Made you irrational and think about the worst. I was so caught up in everything that I hadn’t thought to call Evan. He’d be pissed later, but I wasn’t used to needing anyone. I’d been a one-man island for so long that I forgot how to lean on people in times of need.
When we knew the day he was being released, Camile offered to find us a private jet. But we didn’t need it.
“Don’t worry, pretty lady. I’ve got more money than I know what to do with. I’ll happily lease one. You just make sure Daniel is there when we land. Dane is anxious to see him.”
“I can do that,” she’d replied over the phone.
Over the last few months, she’d become a close friend I never expected to have.
So I chartered a luxury Learjet with comfortable seats to take us home to San Diego. It was also an opportunity for Dane to see another option other than flying those death machines.
But I knew trying to talk him out of flying again was pointless. He would do whatever he thought was best. Living without him wasn’t an option any longer, so if I had to suck it up, I would.
Before we left the hospital, we were given home care instructions and orders to check in with the doctors in Coronado. With the paperwork in hand, a nurse pushed Javy’s wheelchair while I commandeered Dane’s to the waiting black car I’d ordered to take us to the airport.
Javy got in the front with the driver, leaving the back for us. Reaching over, I took his hand and brought it to my lips. A wave of relief and gratitude filled me that I was taking him home this way, and not the alternative.
The ride to the private airstrip was short, and when the driver pulled up to the plane, the pilot greeted us at the steps.
“I’m retired Air Force,” he said, “and it’s an honor to fly you home, lieutenants. Please let us know if we can do anything to make your trip more comfortable.”
Dane smiled. “Thank you. We appreciate the ride.”
“I’m going to do the final walk around,” he said, “and when you’re settled, we’ll be ready to go.”
I held out my hand to shake his. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Mr. Sanders.”
I saw the recognition in his eyes. “Could I get an autograph for my son? We’re big fans.”
Back in very familiar territory, I chuckled. “Absolutely. You get us back and I’ll have our PR lady send you some merchandise and some tickets.”
His eyes lit up. “My boy will love that. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
He stepped away to check out the plane as I followed Dane up the steps.
The flight attendant greeted us from the small galley. “Welcome aboard. I’m Emily and I’ll be taking care of you. As soon as we’re in the air, I’ll serve your lunch.”
“Thank you, Emily.”
“You know what the best thing is about going home?” Dane asked as we took our seats.
“Having your own personal houseboy named Lennox to wait on you hand and foot?”
Javy snorted. “Can I get one of those?”
Dane shot him a look. “Sure. Her name is Mrs. Cruz.”
I laughed as we buckled in. “What’s the best thing?”
I could see the sharp wit forming on his tongue. He looked me up and down. “You get to change clothes.”
Javy burst out laughing at my boyfriend's quip. That’s how I knew Dane was feeling better, and I welcomed his sense of humor.
“Funny, Calloway.”
Javy looked at us from his seat. “Have you guys always been this way?”
I snorted. “Yep. Sure have. He always busts my balls just like he did at the Squid that night.”
“I seriously thought I was going to have to keep Sunshine here from killing you, Sanders.”
I smiled and took Dane’s hand. “A wise person once told me I had to decide how far I was willing to go for him. Evidently, it was pushing him to the edge of sanity.”
Dane raised a brow. “Camile told you to pester the fuck out of me?”
I grinned. “You know it. She’s the wisest person we know. And if you say she’s not, I’m gonna tell her.”
He huffed out a chuckle. “I value my life.”
The pilot climbed onboard and closed the door, making my anxiety kick up. But Dane distracted me by squeezing my hand.
When we got in the air, Emily served us Ginger Ale before bringing the lunch I’d ordered. As we ate, I watched both of them closely.
“Does this bother you?”
Javy looked up. “Flying private?”
I shook my head and swallowed my food. “Flying period. Are you apprehensive at all?”
Dane looked at Javy, then at me. “No. We’ll be going back up as soon as command gives us the green light.”
My stomach churned just thinking about it. I put my fork down and wiped my mouth. Dane noticed my change in demeanor immediately.
“Would you stop playing football if you got injured?”
I scowled at him. “It’s not the same fucking thing, and you know it.”
The plane took a dip, but Dane was unfazed by the movement.
“But it is. You can be severely injured on the field. You could sustain a broken leg or broken neck. And you’d get right back out there.”
He was right, but it didn’t make me feel any better. So he reached for my hand. “The best way to get over it is to get back in the saddle. We’ve been doing this a long time, babe. It’s what we do.”
“And you’re not nervous about it? Because I am.”
His expression changed from irritated to sympathetic. “I won’t let this accident end my career. I may choose not to renew my contract for active duty when the time comes, but that’s a decision to be made later.”
I looked at him with concern. “Will I be part of that decision?”
He smiled placatingly. “Of course you will. Just like when it’s time for you to stop playing football, I’ll be part of that decision.”
I could live with that. “I know aviation is in your blood like football is in mine. But you could fly one of these. Make your schedule. You could have the best of both worlds. And if it’s about money, I’ll front it all.”
Dane put his arm around me, then leaned in to kiss met cheek. “Relax, QB. One day at a time. We’ve got time.”
Easy for him to say.
“I need to go see Daniel when we get back. He needs to see that I’m okay.”
I smiled. “Of course.”
We changed the topic of conversation to what Javy’s mother would cook when he got home. I’d offered for him to come stay with us, but he was ready to get home.
A little over an hour later, the plane touched down at the private airstrip. From my window, I could see Camile and Daniel waiting to pick us up, as well as the private car I’d arranged for Javy. It would be a nice surprise for Dane.
When the plane came to a stop, we unbuckled and stood. When the door opened and the steps were extended, we were ready to deplane.
Javy went first, then Dane. Daniel stood bouncing on his toes at the bottom of the steps, anxious to see his dad.
Daniel lost his composure the moment his father took him in his arms.
Tears and high-pitched sobs came from his little body. He clung onto Dane as he let all the emotions go.
“I was so scared. I didn’t think you’d come home,” he wailed.
I understood how he felt, and had cried my fair share over the last seventy-two hours.
“It’s okay, buddy. I’m okay. Just sore,” he soothed.
Camile stepped over and hugged them both, her eyes were damp as well. Dane stood and picked up Daniel in his arms, then took her into the hug.
Standing back, I looked at the three of them. I couldn’t help but think that’s the way his life should be. His wife and son were here to comfort him.
A wave of regret washed over me as I took a step further back. My heart sank as tears threatened to burst out of me.
I looked away until he called my name. “Lennox.”
Hesitating, I plastered on a smile as I turned my attention to him. “What are you doing over there?”
Dane opened his arm and waited. He knew my old wounds would make me second guess myself. But he eased my fear.
Camile looked at me with a raised brow, then opened her arm too. I walked into their embrace as Dane kissed my cheek. “Let’s go home.”
Daniel looked at Dane, then at his mom. “Can I stay with him tonight, Mom?”
Camile glanced at me, and I nodded. “We’d love that. But we’re staying at my house. You okay with that?”
His face lit up. “Yeah. Can we swim tomorrow?”
I smiled at how easily he accepted us. “You know it. Let’s go home.”
In the weeks after the accident, we stayed at my house most of the time. I refused to be apart from him when we didn’t have to be, and that only happened during away games. Thank fuck four out of five of them were at home.
But the best thing I’d done was pull off the move of the century. When Dane was at work on desk duty, I’d hired a moving company and had his entire place packed up within three hours.
At the end of the day when he went back to his place, it was empty. I’d had it cleaned from top to bottom to make sure he didn’t lose his security deposit. And he knew who to call.
“Lennox, what have you done? Where’s all my stuff?”
I could hear the amusement in his voice.
“Hey babe. Have a good day?”
He didn’t fall for it.
“Lennox. Where are my clothes?”
I sighed. “In our closet.”
He chuckled. “And how did they get there?”
“Look,” I said. “I’m tired of you putting me off. I’m holding them for ransom. If you ever want to see them again, you have to come home. Then I’ll show you.”
Dane finally gave in. “You’re something else, you know that?”
I snorted. “Duh. But I’m your something else.”
He chuckled. “No, you’re my everything.”
My heart squeezed at his confirmation.
“Come home,” I pleaded.
Dane chuckled again. It was reassuring to hear the lightness in his tone.
“Give me ten to turn in the key, and I’m on the way.”