Page 55 of The Chemistry Coach
Patrick met them in the family room, his nose clearly broken, his eyes blackening in real time.The on-site medical team had stuffed it with cotton.But he’d broken skin on Connor’s cheek from what she’d seen, so Daisy didn’t feel bad.
“Ready for Rowdy’s?”Patrick asked in an upbeat tone despite his face being swollen and bruised.
“I’m always ready for Rowdy’s.I’ve been daydreaming about French toast for a week,” Grayson confirmed.
Despite the name, Rowdy’s was a quiet, little, hidden gem a few blocks from Daisy’s apartment.They had a fifties theme, and the waitresses wore poodle skirts and roller skates.
Their food came out in big mountains on platter sized plates and they ate until they couldn’t fit one more bite.Daisy texted Sophia while Patrick inhaled his food.
Your husband’s face is broken.
Ehh, that’s nothing new.Your boyfriend really wailed on him this time.What’s going on there?
Connor found out I knew Patrick today when I was in the process of meeting the whole team...
Oof.
Patrick may have goaded Connor by flaunting our relationship.
Shit.That’s like fifth date baggage.You can’t fling that on a guy.
Yeah, I didn’t know practices would overlap.
Are you guys okay though?
Tears prickled at the back of her eyes.Patrick, Grayson, and Roxie knew about the situation, but Sophia was the first to ask how she was.
I fucked up.I had the chance to tell him and I didn’t.But how do you tell a guy “Yeah I’m your biggest fangirl and have been lusting after you for ten years and I know everything about you, wanna bang?”
Yeah that’s rough.I’m sorry.Would it help if I made Patrick explain?
Oh GOD no.That would make everything worse.
Daisy put her phone face down on the table and wiped her eyes.
“Shit, darlin’, are you crying?”
She shook her head, but his asking made her tears fall faster, and she couldn’t play it off.She tried to wipe them away.
Patrick and Grayson stared at her in shock.Daisy Mayes did not cry in front of people often.She let her tears and anguish and pain build inside her until she was in the privacy of her own home, thank you very much.On many occasions, she’d held both of these men while they cried.Rubbed their backs and let them sob into her shoulder until they had no more tears to give.But they hadn’t ever needed to return the favor.
“Sorry,” she said, trying to smile through her blurry vision.“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Her brother rubbed her shoulder, unaccustomed to providing her comfort.Patrick’s foot found hers under the table, a show of support she was thankful she didn’t have to ask for.
“I fucked up, huh?”Patrick asked.
Without knowing what he said on the ice, she’d never know.
“I don’t know.But I for sure did.”
Patrick put down his fork and scooted further into the booth.“Come here, please.”
She joined him on his side of the table, and he wrapped an arm around her.“Tell me how I can fix it for you.”
“You can’t.I have to fix it myself.”
The next activity she’d planned for the Connors involved puppies.It was impossible to stay mad when puppies were involved.She arrived at the animal shelter a few minutes early to sign them all in as volunteers.The person at the front desk had worked with her before and they had a solid system.Daisy did the set up and tear down as to not stretch the shelter’s resources thinner than they already were.She’d prepared their work stations and already cleaned out a few kennels when she checked the clock.The Connors were fifteen minutes late.She went to the reception area, and then out to the parking lot looking for them.Fuck.Daisy hadn’t considered they might blow her off.Her phone showed no notifications.All she could do was get to work and hope they came.
