Page 61 of Wilde Abandon
Melody wondered if someone had helped it disappear from Fox’s sight.He usually kept it close.“It’s fine.Lyric took me to the hospital and dropped me off here.You guys can finish your game thing.I’m going to bed.Well, first, I’m going to wash off the beer stink, then crawl into bed.”She gently pressed the heel of her hand to her head, barely touching the swollen part and wincing.
“Do you have a concussion?”Fox asked.
“No.Just a little headache.Probably more from the stress than the head wound.”She pressed her hands to his chest.“I’m fine.Really.I just need some sleep.”
“Okay.Come on.Game night’s over.I’ll help you get cleaned up and put you in bed.”
She shook her head.“No.I don’t want to ruin your night.Max is leaving soon.Spend time with him.”
He shook his head all through that.“No.I’m taking care of you.”
Dean headed for the coffee table covered in wrappers, beer bottles, and food.“We’ll clean this up and get out of here.”
Max took a step closer to her.“Sorry I didn’t get to spend more time getting to know you.But I’ll be seeing you both soon.”Max’s gaze landed on Fox.“I’ll call you from the office on Monday.”He turned back to her.“Take care.And don’t let Fox obsess about letting you down.None of us heard his phone.He’s not going to let that happen again.”
She shook her head.“It’s not a big deal.I’m fine.”
“It’s a big deal to me,” Fox said, his words tight with anger.
Max nodded.“We protect each other.You’re included in that now.”
She stepped away from Fox and hugged Max.“Thank you.Have a safe trip back.”
Fox took her hand and tugged her away from Max.“Come on.I’ve got you.”He led her toward their bedroom.
She looked over her shoulder at Dean holding the door open for Amy to exit and Max bringing up the rear.“Goodnight.”
“Night,” the guys called out.Amy glanced back, frowning like Melody had ruined her night.
Tough shit.She wasn’t supposed to be here anyway.
Fox escorted her to the bathroom.He flipped on the light and said, “Sit on the toilet so I can get your boots off and clean you up.”
She took a seat.
“Why did you let Amy crash your boys’ night?”
“It felt rude to make her leave.And anyway, we were too busy playing to really interact with her.I’m surprised she didn’t just get up and leave.”
“I’m not.”
Fox stared down at her, his face a mask of sorrow and guilt.“Fuck, Mel.Look at you.”
She dropped the Amy bullshit and took his hand.“I’m okay.I’m not mad, not even a little bit, that you didn’t get my message.”
“I should have been there.”
“It’s just a few stitches.”
He brushed his hand over her head on the opposite side of her wound.“I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about.Just help me with my boots and maybe give me a warm washcloth to clean myself up for now.I’ll shower in the morning before I change the bandages.”
Fox pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, then dropped to his knees in front of her and pulled off her boots and wet socks.
“The beer and blood soaked into them.”
“I’ll toss all your clothes in the washer and dryer so they’ll be clean for you in the morning and you’ll have something to wear.”He cocked his head.“Why don’t you have anything here to wear?”