I wanted desperately to have dinner with them, but I didn’t want to intrude on their time together. Not after they’d had so much tension between them over the will and Melissa. “No, you go by yourself. I want you guys to have some alone time. I’ll grab some room service and watch some TV to wind down, and probably fall asleep by nine like I usually do.” There was no way I was falling asleep before Winter returned, but I didn’t want him thinking about me waiting here for him. I wanted him to stay out with his brother if that was what he wanted.
Winter was no fool and he wasn’t fooled by what I’d said. “Max and I will have other time together. You sure you don’t wanna come?”
No. “Yes.” I smiled. “Go. I’m good.”
He took a moment, turning that over in his mind before nodding. “Okay.”
As he headed for the door, I called out, “Your dad would be proud of you and Max. He would have loved today.”
He slowed and looked back at me. He didn’t say anything, just looked. And then he was gone, and I let my tears fall. Not because of what was happening between us, but because of the torment I’d seen in his eyes.
I ordered a burger and fries, and cheesecake for dinner. Total comfort food I’d normally not eat. A terrible choice because I felt bloated and sick within a few hours. Not the kind of sick that made me vomit, just the kind of sick that made me need to lie down and pray for divine intervention.
I’d been lying down praying for a good half hour when a text came in.
* * *
Unknown number: Matt and I are in the hotel lobby. Wanna have a drink with us?
* * *
Max.
I frowned at the fact Winter hadn’t texted me, but felt too ill to really question it.
* * *
Me: I ate too many carbs. I don’t feel well. Otherwise I would come down.
Max: You need anything?
Me: No, it’ll pass. But thank you <3
Max: Let us know if you change your mind and want something from the chemist.
Me: Will do xx
* * *
I dropped my phone on the bed and closed my eyes as waves of cramps took over my stomach. I knew they’d pass, but that could take anywhere from fifteen minutes to hours. I should not have eaten all those carbs.
The only good thing to come from this was that my focus was taken off thinking about Winter. And so I spent the next forty-five minutes breathing my way through cramps and nausea. That was after I rummaged through my bag and found the pills I took when this happened. I should have looked for them earlier, but my mind was such a mess I hadn’t thought of it. Thankfully they worked, and just over an hour after Max texted, my phone sounded with another text. However, when I reached for my phone, there was no text. Weird. Then, another one came through and I realised Winter must have left his phone behind. When it rang, I located it on the bed and found the name King on the caller ID. I knew King was his club president. Figuring it might be important I answered the call.
“Hello,” I said.
“Winter there?”
“No, he left his phone in the hotel room. He’s downstairs, though, so I can get him to call you back if it’s important.”
“It is. Get him to call me back ASAP.”
The line went dead and I stared at the phone wondering if King was always that abrupt.
Pushing up off the bed, I slid on my shoes, grabbed the room key, and headed downstairs. It was almost 10:00 p.m. and the lobby bar was quiet. Max’s voice led me to where he and Winter sat drinking.
Max saw me first. Smiling, he said, “You’re feeling better?”
Winter’s gaze met mine and he leaned forward, waiting for my answer. Even when he was mad with me, he couldn’t stop caring for me. It was right there in his eyes.