Well, thanks, friend, but that ship has sailed.
He heard the boy’s truck when he stopped outside but didn’t bother to get up. The kid knew where the couch was and could take care of himself.
Besides, he glanced at the bedside clock, he still had ten minutes left in his personal pity-party allotment. He debated giving Dr. Bellamy a call. But in the end, Max was the only one who could pull his ass out of the shithole he found himself sinking into.
He groaned against the injustice of it all and turned on his side. He still wore the same clothes, though he’d cleaned up the worst of the cuts and abrasions.
Damn, he hurt all over. You’d think after sixteen months of rehab he’d be in better shape.
One eye was swollen shut, his bottom lip was split, and his battered body was covered in scrapes and bruises. None of the pain associated with his injuries compared to the pain of losing Sky. And Maddie. The look on her face at the end would haunt him forever.
He’d put it there. He’d put the fear in her eyes. Destroyed her faith in him. Some hero he turned out to be.
It’s over. They’re gone. Move on.
Even as the dire thoughts materialized, that tiny voice inside his head that refused to admit defeat shouted loud and clear…never give up hope.
He wanted to hang on to the idea but couldn’t.
He rolled onto his back, arms spread out to the sides, replaying his last conversation with Coop after he’d sent Sky and Maddie home with Logan. He didn’t want them to see his injuries, certain they would hate him for his actions.
Coop disagreed and wasted no time telling him so. “How do you know that? Did they say so?”
“Well, no, but—”
“No, they didn’t, jackass, because you turned tail and ran without even talking to them.”
“They deserve better.”
Coop took off his Stetson and slapped it against his knee. “The first time I met Sam I knew I was in deep shit.” He slapped his hat against his leg again. “She was everything I never knew I needed. And that scared the hell out of me. By the time I got my head out of my ass and realized I loved her, it was almost too late.”
Max knew the story of the crazed killer who nearly succeeded in making Doc his victim and how happy Coop and Sam were now. Was there a message there?
Coop wasn’t done preaching. “Hell, everyone who’s seen y’all together know Sky and Maddie think you hung the moon. You really believe they’re gonna think less of you for standing up to Jackson?”
When Max didn’t reply, Coop got in his face. Again.
“You know better than most that there comes a time when a man has to fight to protect what’s his. To stand up for those who can’t stand for themselves. It ain’t pretty, Max, but sometimes it’s necessary.”
Coop’s words had the ability to do what Max couldn’t do for himself at the moment. Keep the faintly glowing ember of hope alive.
“What do I do?” he said to the darkness. “What do I do?”
Like whispers on the wind came the answer. You got a choice, Marine. You fight back. Or Cade wins.
“My daddy didn’t want me, either.”
Sky stopped in the hallway, nearly dropping the tray of hot chocolate and popcorn when she heard Maddie’s softly spoken statement.
“No shit? I mean, really?” came Logan’s reply.
“Uh-huh. Mama never said so, but I figured it out.”
“Figured what out?”
“He didn’t want me. If he did, he would have stayed.”
There was a short pause, and Sky choked back a sob as she listened to her precious, wise-beyond-her-years daughter try and ease Logan’s pain by sharing her own.
“How do you know he didn’t want you?”
“I was really sick when I was little. And he had to go away a lot with his work and stuff. One day, he didn’t come back.”
“I’m sorry, Maddie.”
“It’s okay. I don’t really remember him anymore. Mama said he loved us in his own way, but I think she just says that to make me feel better.”
There was another pause.
“Besides, I wouldn’t want him anyway if he didn’t want me.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“No. I mean, if somebody doesn’t want you, why would you want them?”
“Yeah. I guess so.”
