“I hired Max and Chloe to help you be the best you can be. You need to listen to them. Their word is law. Understand?” Jack ordered. Grumbles were the only confirmation he received. He nodded to Max and Chloe encouragingly before he strode off to his office.
Max leaned toward Chloe’s ear. “Why don’t you gather the women together and introduce yourself?”
“All right.” She smiled at him before she scampered off.
Max took a deep breath as he infiltrated the men assembling on the mats to spar. He stopped in his tracks as the largest member of the team approached him. The man was at least six and a half feet tall, with thick, black hair and blue eyes. And holy crap, he’s bigger than a freaking bear!
“Jack hired you to help us?” the man demanded.
“That’s what he said.”
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”
Max chuckled. “Jack wouldn’t have hired me if I didn’t.”
“Good. Then you need to tell me what I’m doing wrong.” The large man stuck his hand out. “I’m Mark.”
Max shook it. “Why don’t you get a sparring partner and show me what you have?”
“Sure. Hey, Dan!” Mark called across the gym to where a tall, blonde, thin, yet well-built guy stood. His green eyes peered from behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. He slipped the glasses off, set them in his duffle bag, and joined Mark and Max on the mat.
Max eyed Dan closely. He was the last guy he’d expect in a gym like this. Dan looked like he would be more at home behind a computer.
Mark and Dan faced each other on the mat then slowly began to circle. Max watched closely as Mark threw a jab then a hook. Dan dodged the blows and landed a punch directly to Mark’s chin.
“Wait, stop!” Max commanded as he stepped forward. “I’ve already seen two things. First, Mark, when you jab, you don’t get your fist back to your face to protect yourself. Second, you need to bend your knees. You’re a really big guy. You need to close your torso to attack. Plus, it’ll keep you agile. Try it.”
Mark slowly did what Max instructed, walking through each drill for at least half an hour. Then Max nodded encouragingly for them to spar again. This time the big man had the upper hand and landed his friend on his rump. Mark reached out to help Dan on his feet. He shook Max’s hand appreciatively. “Thanks, man. I appreciate the coaching.”
“Happy to help.” Max returned, waving to Dan while the blonde made his way back to his bag and glasses. “What do you two guys do other than fight?”
“Dan’s the head of the IT department for an insurance company. I’m an ER doctor.”
“What possesses you to come here if you’re an ER doctor?”
“I’ve seen so many people try to kill themselves doing the stupidest things like drinking too much then getting in their cars and driving drunk. Some succeed. Some kill others. I love my job, but sometimes it’s too much. I come here to fight so I can burn off the stress. Which brings up a point.” Mark tilted his head in Chloe’s direction as he took a drink out of his water bottle. “I’ve seen your assistant before. She’s been in my ER a few times.”
“I know.” Max felt his nerves tighten as he grew defensive. “I don’t need to hear about the attention she’s looking for. I know better.”
Mark held up his hand in protest. “I’ve never treated her. I’ve just seen her there. And frankly, I agree with you.”
“You do?”
“As sick as I’ve seen her, I can’t imagine someone doing that to themselves on purpose. There has to be something going on.”
“Chloe said she’s been to specialists and they didn’t find anything.”
“Get me a list of her symptoms, and I’ll do some research.”
Max looked at him questioningly. “You would do that?”
Mark shrugged. “You helped me. I’ll help you. It seems like you care about her a lot.”
Max felt his cheeks grow warm as he blushed. “I do.”
“Then you get me ready for the octagon, and I’ll help you figure out what’s wrong with Chloe. Deal?”
Max nodded excitedly. “Deal.”
»»•««
Liz sighed miserably as she rolled up the bath towel. She gently lifted her daughter’s head from the bathroom floor and tucked it under. Chloe moaned softly as her pale face rested against the softness of the fabric. Liz gently smoothed Chloe’s hair as she settled down on the edge of the tub.
Things had gone so well the past couple of weeks. Chloe loved her new job. Liz wasn’t sure she had ever seen the girl happier. She smiled to herself. She wasn’t sure if it was the people she worked with, or if it was working with Max again.
She straightened as Chloe started to retch. Liz helped her sit up and supported her as she vomited. Liz exhaled again.
Max. She certainly could use him again. Three weeks ago, he had been incredibly helpful. But why would he want to spend his day with my sick daughter? Her own father didn’t want to stick around. Why would a young guy with such a promising future want to?
Liz sat in silence as she thought of her ex-husband. She had believed they were in love. They had made vows to stay together in sickness and in health. Obviously, that didn’t mean the sickness and health of our child. Their marriage had deteriorated rapidly once Chloe started getting sick. Liz spent more time caring for their daughter than him. He was never happy.
Liz came home from work one night to find her little girl all alone in their house. Her husband’s belongings were nowhere to be found. And whatever had transpired between father and daughter had caused Chloe enough stress to start one of her vomiting streaks. One that would eventually land Chloe with a five-day stint in the hospital. Now the creep has a new wife and three kids and doesn’t acknowledge his daughter is alive.
Not that her family was any better. They were mortified when Chloe got sick at any of their family gatherings. Yet, they were insulted if Liz declined their invitations. Slowly, they just distanced themselves. It was just Liz and Chloe. And whatever this strange disorder was that had claimed Chloe for its own.
The doorbell snapped Liz from her thoughts. She glanced down at Chloe curled tight in a fetal position as she stood and raced down the steps to the front door and tore it open quickly.
Max stood on the porch, dressed in an old T-shirt and a pair of sweats. A small duffle bag was flung over his shoulder, probably carrying a change of clothes for when this madness was over. His blue eyes flickered nervously from her to the staircase behind her as he bounced anxiously from the ball of one foot to another like a fighter preparing for a brawl.
“Sorry,” Max gushed. “I scheduled Chloe off and forgot to schedule myself off. I hurried with what I had to do so I could get here as soon as I could. How is Chloe? Is she okay?”
Liz scanned him, dumbfounded. Then, she shook herself to her senses and smiled. “Same as last time. She’s upstairs. I need to get back to her before she starts again. Or—”
She didn’t get another word out. With a courteous nod, Max dashed past her and jogged up the stairs. She let go a small laugh as she slowly followed him. She smiled sweetly at him as she found him cross-legged on the bathroom floor with Chloe cradled in his arms.
“Anything you need right now, Max?” Liz offered.
“Nope. I’m good.”
“You really didn’t have to come over.”
“I figured you might need the help.”
“I appreciate it. I really do. But I don’t want Chloe to get used to having you here when she comes out of one of these, and then you move on to something—or someone—better. She couldn’t take that.”
Max cocked his head to the side as his eyes met Liz’s. “There is no one else. And I’m not looking. I want to be here for Chloe. If she needs me, great. If not, I’ll be a call away when she does.”
He shifted his arms as he felt Chloe start retching again, supporting her as he helped her toward the toilet bowl. Liz smiled again as she watched. As hard as it is for me to t
rust this guy, or any guy for that matter, I’m so glad he’s a part of our lives now.
Chapter Three
The rain drove down in sheets on the sidewalk outside of Hard Drive. Max looked at his watch again then peered through the downpour. Eleven o’clock. Chloe was supposed to report to work at nine. She wasn’t late. She was really late. He tried to call her house and her cell phone. No one answered. He sighed. Part of him was growing steadily furious with her. The other part was seriously worried. He wrapped his arms around himself tight for a small amount of comfort. None came.
He glanced up at the closed door of the office along the open corridor. Jack had already asked where Chloe was twice. Each time, his eyes held a disapproving glare. Max had made up an excuse. He knew Jack hadn’t bought buy it. Come on, Chloe. Call. I stuck my neck out on the line for you. Don’t make me regret it.
Max stepped back as the glass door open. Mark stepped inside, shaking the rain from his soaked, hulking frame. Dan slipped in behind him, growling at his best friend for providing him with an extra shower.
“Hey, Max,” Mark greeted.
“Hey,” Max muttered.
“Where’s Chloe?” Dan inquired as he tried to dry his glasses on his wet T-shirt.
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Max startled as his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He hit the talk button without looking to see who it was. “Hello?” His eyes flew open when he heard a sob on the other end. “Chloe, are you all right? Where are you?”
Chloe whimpered as she fought to find her voice. “Mom…was in…a horrible accident…on I-494. A…semi-truck…ran into…her car. She’s…in surgery. Max…I’m so sorry…I didn’t call…sooner.”
Max cringed at the pain in Chloe’s voice. He strode across the gym and picked up the remote to the television mounted to the wall, flipping it on. He barely noticed the small crowd that gathered around him as he stared at the remains of Liz’s car on the local news. The driver’s side was gone.
“Chloe, baby, it’s all right. Where are you?”
“University of…Minnesota…Medical Center.”
“All right. I’m on my way, Chloe. I’ll be there in just a little bit. Okay?”
“Okay. Bye.”
Max ended the call as he took one last glance at the footage. He dug keys out of his pants pocket as he turned for the exit.
“Max, whose car is that?” Mark’s voice was deep and soft. Knowing what Mark did for a living, Max didn’t like his tone.
“Chloe’s mom.” He looked to the office upstairs. “Hey, Jack!”
The door slowly opened. Within moments, Jack stared at him from over the rail.
Max continued, “I’m leaving.” He pointed at the television. “Mark can explain.” Without another word, Max ran out into the rain. He jumped into the driver’s seat of his Mustang and sped down the street. As he fought to see through the windshield, he worried. He worried about Liz, he worried about Chloe, and he worried one of Chloe’s stomach issues would rear its angry head.
He drove faster than he should have in such a storm. He reached the hospital in ten minutes. After inquiring where Liz was being treated, Max rushed to the Surgical Unit. He dodged doctors and visitors until he reached the waiting area, finding Chloe sitting alone inside the white, sterile room lined with chairs. He sank into one and wrapped his strong arms around her as she cried.
Tilting her face to his, he gazed into her eyes. The warm orbs were glassy with something other than tears. Her face was pale. A small drizzle of saliva formed in the corner of her mouth. Oh, no. Not again.
Max gently smoothed her hair from her face. “Chloe, baby. I’m here. Your mom is going to be fine. Just hang on, sweetheart. Don’t let it take over.”
Chloe smiled at him weakly. He cradled her against his chest as he began to rock her gently. Closing his eyes, he hoped against hope that Liz would be the only one admitted to the hospital.
Liz was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Both of her legs were shattered in the accident. She had a crushed lung. She was in a coma for four days. However, after a week, she was healthy enough to be moved into a normal hospital room.
Chloe did better than Max had expected. She did have a minor attack that lasted only a short time. But she had been brave and held herself together to make decisions for her mother’s care. The way she was handling everything filled him with immense pride.
Jack insisted that Max take time away from the gym to be with Chloe and Liz. So, he spent hours sitting with them, holding their hands. He wanted to be their rock. He just hoped that the saw him that way.
When Max did get back to Hard Drive to prepare the team for the upcoming competition, Jack dismissed him early to get back to his new, makeshift family. He slipped away from the gym to have lunch with Chloe in the hospital’s cafeteria. She poked at her food with her fork.
“What’s on your mind?” Max inquired.
Chloe sighed. “The trucking company the driver works for is fighting our claim. He says the accident was Mom’s fault.”
“It clearly wasn’t. Why would they say that?”
“It seems a lot of their drivers have gotten in major accidents. They really can’t afford another. Since they’re threatening to take it to the court system, the insurance company won’t pay for any bills. Mom isn’t working, so we’re falling behind on payments again. And I’m not sure how I’m going to take care of Mom. She’s bigger than I am. Right now, she can’t even get the wheelchair she’ll be in for weeks into the house.”
She waved her hand hopelessly as a pink blush tinted her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be unloading on you like this.”
“Chloe, it’s all right. I don’t mind. I’ll try to help you figure something out.”
“Thanks.” She took a bite of her salad. “How’s the gym? Do I still have a job?”
“Of course you still have a job. Everyone misses you.”
“I really need to get back. I’m not getting paid sitting here.”
“Actually, I think you are. Jack said something about paying you until after we got back from Dallas.”
Chloe stared at him. “Dallas? We?”
“Yeah. I’m traveling with Jack and some of the fighters to a televised competition in Dallas. We leave first thing in the morning.”
The smile fell from Chloe’s face as her fork clattered against her plate. She blinked at him silently. Suddenly, she stood. “I’m not really hungry. I need to get back to Mom.” She dropped her nearly full tray at the door and rushed from the room.
Max watched her go, dumbfounded by her actions.
»»•««
Chloe hugged her knees to her chest as she curled up on the couch. The lamp on the end table and the television were the only light illuminating the room.
She sighed miserably. It wasn’t the first time she had stayed alone. When she was old enough to be left by herself, her attacks were predictable and her nightmares had stopped, her mom took time away every once in a while. Chloe couldn’t wait for those nights. She loved her mother. But she relished independence—what little of it she could have.
She had no idea how to care for her mom. There was no method to get her mother’s wheelchair into the house. Even worse, there was no way to pay the bills. She felt horrible. Her mother had devoted her life to caring for Chloe, and Chloe couldn’t even come up with a solution to any of the present problems.
But even with all Chloe’s worries, her mom’s accident wasn’t the thought dominating her mind. Max was leaving with Hard Drive for the competition in Dallas. On the television, two men dressed in shorts encased in the steel, chain-link cage engrossed in hand-to-hand combat. She watched as the scantily dressed women sitting around the octagon clung to fighters. Max was the hottest guy Chloe knew. The most gorgeous women she had ever seen swooned after him.
Chloe could imagine a beautiful, leggy redhead wrapped tightly around Max, their lips intertwined. She shook her head violently to get rid of the imaginary couple pl
astered in her brain. A knock at the door distracted Chloe. Crossing the living room, she tugged the front door open. She looked, puzzled, at Max standing on the porch with a duffle bag in his hand.
“Hey, Chloe,” he greeted.
“Hey, Max.” She examined him warily. “What are you doing here?”
“I had an idea. Rico, that new fighter Jack brought in, needs a place to stay while he’s looking for an apartment.”
“And you want Rico to stay here?” she asked, uneasily. “I don’t know him.”
“That’s not my plan. I was thinking I would sublet my apartment to Rico. Then I would move in here with you and your mom so I could help out. You have an extra bedroom, don’t you?”
Chloe felt her stomach turn and her heart flutter at the same time. Waking up every morning to the incredibly sexy Max Thomas making breakfast in just a pair of pajama bottoms? Her mouth went dry. “I don’t think my mom would go for that idea.”
Max grinned at her as he stepped inside the house. He dropped his duffle on the floor then reached out for her. “Let’s go find out.”
Chloe nodded silently as she laid her hand in his. Picking up the remote, he shut off the television. He secured the front door after they stepped outside, and then led her to his car. Chloe smiled as she settled into her seat. Mom will never go along with this.
She was stunned speechless when they arrived at the hospital, and her mom agreed to Max’s idea excitedly. After working out the details, they each wished her good night, and Max took Chloe home. Max walked her to the porch steps, pulling her to him once they reached the bottom stair. He laid his forehead against Chloe’s. His sigh was sad. After several moments, he lifted his head and pressed his lips against her forehead. She watched as he walked to his car, got in, and drove away.
Making dinner seemed to take an eternity. Chloe tried to sit and watch television. She was too miserable. Being alone without Max ate at her. She couldn’t sleep. She spent every moment allowed at the hospital. She silenced her phone the multiple times Max called. She just couldn’t shake the thought of who he could be with in Dallas. Not that she should care. They weren’t a couple. He was just her new housemate. He could go out with whoever he wanted. She just wished it was her.
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