Page 94 of Wrecked
“Nicholas,” his mother interjected, “you don’t need to do that.”
“Well, Mom, I kinda do. If I don’t go, nothing gets done. They don’t have a farmhand and they can’t keep up with everything.”
“Are you doing it alone?”
“Prescott helps, when he’s in town.”
“What about Tommy?”
“No.”
“Grandmom is going to stay with us. Dad and I will find a farmhand or two. Why didn’t you say anything to us?”
He didn’t need to answer that. She, of all people, knew that if someone needed help, he helped. No questions asked.
“Nicky, it’s one thing to grab eggs when you’re there, but you don’t have to work the farm. You can’t save everyone, honey.”
“What hospital is he in?”
His mom relayed the information and he hung up.
As he drove home, he thought about what his mom had said. She was right. He couldn’t save everyone, but when he cared about someone, he was all in.
Changing course, he drove to the hospital.
“There’s my number one,” Granddad said with a grin.
His Granddad was in good spirits, surrounded by Grandmom and his parents.
“What a great surprise!” Grandmom pushed out of the chair and hugged him.
Hawk sat on the hospital bed. “I hope you’re done with the circus acrobatics,” he said, and everyone laughed.
“Mom and Dad are going to hire some help,” Grandmom said.
His mom’s phone rang. Kerri and Jamal wanted to video chat. The phone got passed around, while the newlyweds chatted about their honeymoon adventures. Hawk stayed for longer than he’d intended, but he always made time for his family.
Every. Single. Time.
It was after nine by the time he got to Lost Souls. Like every night, things were in full swing. The bar was busy, the dance floor crowded, the picture-posing corner packed with costumed clubbers. He scanned the room. No Addison.
On his way toward their office, he found his target, in the hallway, her tablet in hand, and chatting with two women.
Addison was dressed in a black latex costume that hugged her curves, sending a blast of heat through him. She wore a black eye mask and black gloves. Looking like a burglar about to go on the prowl, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
She’s scorching hot.
As he approached, all three women turned in his direction.
The second he locked eyes with Addison, a jolt of energy powered through him. Her eyes were covered in smoky shadows, her lips painted black, and her enticing vanilla scent washed over him.
He ran his hand down her back, stopping shy of her ass, but his fingers twitched to cup her curvy backside.
“This is my business partner, Hawk,” Addison said. “I was just signing—”
“Oh, wow,” said the blonde. “I know you.”
The brunette regarded her friend. “This is the guy I was telling you about, you know, the one with the bedroom eyes.”
