Dare To Resist (Dare Nation 1)

Before she could reply, an announcement came over the loudspeaker letting them know they would be landing soon.

As soon as they touched down, Austin heard Quinn call her niece and check on Jenny before he could pull out his phone and do the same.

For a woman who no longer wanted the responsibility of children and who knew Austin was now capable of the basics, she definitely continued to step up and make herself a part of both their lives. He didn’t want to delude himself but her actions gave him a sliver of hope.

* * *

Hours later, Quinn sat in the hospital waiting area as the revolving door of people took turns seeing Damon. Despite the doctors and nurses limiting him to two visitors at a time, Damon was conscious and had remained so, and had agreed to see whoever had stayed to visit with him.

From family to coaches, teammates, and doctors, everyone got their five minutes. Ian took two. Quinn imagined that neither man wanted to talk much when the end result was so uncertain.

Austin went last, and when his turn came, he grabbed Quinn’s hand, and before she could argue, not that she would in public, he pulled her through the doors and down the hall.

“Don’t you want to see your brother alone?” she asked when it was just the two of them outside Damon’s hospital room.

He turned to her, his indigo blue eyes somber. “Believe it or not, I could use the moral support. He’s going to want answers I can’t promise him.

She nodded in understanding. Austin was straddling the line between compassionate brother and honest agent. “Then let’s do this.”

Keeping her hand in his, Austin rapped on the door. “Incoming,” he said and pushed the door open so he and Quinn could step through.

Damon lay against the pillows, his eyes glazed, looking pained.

Austin strode up to the foot of the bed. “Hey, buddy. If you wanted to sit out a preseason game, it would have been easier to just ask. You didn’t need to get your ass kicked on the field.” He joked but Quinn heard the hurt in his voice.

Damon winced, no doubt sensing his brother’s empathy as well, and he let out a rumbling laugh. “Funny,” he said, his voice rough. “Fuck. I didn’t need this now.” He glanced at Austin. “Ian could barely look at me.”

“Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have faith in you. You’re going to get through this.”

Damon thinned his lips. “Thanks for the faith, man.”

“I believe in you. I always will. Now let’s deal with the immediate issues. How’s the pain?”

Damon winced. “Not good.” He glanced at Quinn. “Thanks for coming all the way to New York and keeping this guy company. Better be careful or you might become indispensable to him.”

Austin glared but Quinn just ignored his teasing.

“You’re welcome. I wanted to make sure you were okay, too,” she said.

Damon leaned his head back against the pillows and yawned, the stress of the day obviously catching up with him. “If you weren’t taken, I might appeal to your better nature and get you to stay here and look after me.”

“I’m not taken,” she said.

“Yeah? Then why hasn’t he let go of your hand?” Damon chuckled and closed his eyes. “Night, lovebirds.”

Ignoring him, Austin walked out of the room.

Quinn didn’t know what to say, either.

Chapter Nine

Austin’s family had already left the hospital and headed to the hotel. His mom needed rest so she could get back to Damon early the next morning, and Bri had gone with her. Austin and Quinn took an Uber. On the way, he called Amy and checked on the baby, who had gone to sleep easily. He breathed out a sigh of relief.

Glancing at Quinn, he realized she’d tipped her head back and closed her eyes. Exhaustion was catching up to her, too. It really had been a long day, but seeing Damon had helped calm Austin down.

He let out a low groan and Quinn tilted her head, meeting his gaze. “Are you okay?”

“I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m fine.”

She shook her head. “I was just shutting my eyes for a few minutes.

The car pulled up to the curb in front of the hotel. They thanked the man and exited, grabbing their carry-on luggage from the trunk. At the front desk, they checked in to find their room was ready, and it didn’t take long to head upstairs and settle in. Quinn had booked them one room with a king-sized bed and he was glad. He wanted nothing more than to lose himself inside her tonight.

While she closed herself in the bathroom to wash up, he stripped down to nothing but his boxer briefs and stood looking out the window at the city below. Glittering lights blinked up at him, cars honked, and ambulance sirens sounded. The city that never sleeps was an accurate description.